1987 KZ 550. Project bike and reliable good fun or problems?

[bikerskier]

Anyone have much experience with these mid 80's Kawis? Might have a chance to score a pretty low mileage bike that appears in decent shape. Apparently it starts Ok but needs a little engine work so I will take it to my favorite mechanic for a good look. If it all makes sense, I'll get it running well and give it to my 26 yr old daughter who would find it a fun toy. What kind of price would make sense for this bike?

 

[russperry]

I bought a new '81 KZ550 back in the day. It was a nice runner until I screwed it up by boring the cylinders out and upping the displacement. It never ran right again but it was clearly my fault.

I've got fond memories but I don't think it's very interesting - pretty much a model for the phrase UJM.

 

[SoCalFJR1300]

I'd go to this site and register, there's quite a few KZ owners there and they're really knowledgeable about Kawis...good bunch of guys.

After you register just go to the "Message Boards" and ask away!

www.zrxoa.org

 

[BkerChuck]

Most of those types of bikes were pretty reliable and easy to work on. I really believe most problems that people had with them were caused more by owner neglect or poor maintenance than bad designs. In my area they're becoming more popular again as an inexpensive entry level bike or the basis for some cool cafe racer type stuff. Parts are reasonable, for most things, and still available. Decent aftermarket availability yet, or upgrade to more modern components. Wife and I are looking for another project and looked at a 1982 or 3 Kawi 650 last year. Not running but complete could've bought it for under $500. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[2fjr]

Just my opinion, but unless someone has done a lot of recent maint, it will need pretty much all new rubber bits wherever they may be. If you are going to work on it yourself, buy it for well under $1000 and plan to put a minimum of $500 into it, assuming tires are part of the equation. Nice saddle, solid exhaust, etc? If you are having a mechanic do the work.....fugggidaboudit. Money pit.

 

[Intech]

My brother had a KZ550. Can't remember what year it was, but it was while I was in college, so had to be 79-81 range. That bike was a blast! Torque out the ass! Literally! I got a bloody lip from it once. Took off trying to do a wheelie and put a little too much throttle to it. The bike came up so fast I had to lean forward to keep from going over backwards! Either the speedo or tach got me. The friend that asked me to do it was impressed, though.

 

[bikerskier]

Thanks for the input. I guess if if I can get this cheap enough and do most of the repairs myself, except for any engine work, then it would make a good bike for my daughter. She is 5' 10' and 130 lbs so she should be able to handle it easily. And she grew up on dirt bikes so that is big help.

 

[Bustanut joker]

As long as you don't have to split the cases ala Carvers KZ 1300, most everything else isn't too bad Rich..

Been a few years since I went that deep in something like that but the top end isn't all that bad.

Very reliable bikes they were/are.

 

[bikerskier]

I used to go into the top end of both my '73 H2 Triple and my '75 Z1B regularly but that was a thousand years ago.

 

[FJRay]

So what happened???

 

[juniorfjr]

Hey Ralph, I think Ray has the time to lend a hand. Not much on his plate.

 

[Bustanut joker]

 

[bikerskier]

Waiting for seller to make up his mind.