When i turned 16 in 1981 my Dad gave me the option of a car / truck or motorcycle. I was already running wild on my old Kawasaki S3 so naturaly i wanted a new motorcycle and the GPZ caught my eye. So it wasnt long before i was 16 years old, had a brand new GPZ, pretty girlfriend on the back and having a blast. Thank you for sharing this video. Bring back Great memories.
@@13rew76 It's an amazing road bike. The torque is fat and where it's most useful at 100-150kph. I have a gpz900r and actually feels quicker on the 750 on road speeds.
The GPz550 is now officially a runner. I will post a new video soon with all the changes I have made plus share some lessons I learned. I replaced the Yoshimura with a Supertrapp NOS 4 into 1 for centerstand use & oil filter access. The Mikuni Smoothbores are jetted and running perfectly with K&N's. Replaced the fork springs with Progressives etc. Safe riding everyone
Sounds like the carbs need balancing and the carb slides are worn, Another common problem is also the diaphrams, so worth checking those too along with the inlet rubbers but, looks good!
Kawasaki 550 clutch rattle. “They all do that sir”. Kawasaki dealers all have stories about people sending their bike back multiple times because of the clutch rattle.
The carbs are Mikuni Flatslides and they were barely running when I took this 2018 video. The TM27 D1s are dialed in and start instantly. Another enthusiast shared the Mikuni install instructions which has stock jetting, modified & race jetting. The new video shows how easy the GPz starts. It’s a runner
Regarding the correct engine. Yes specialse & others the Cylinder head & Jug are from a 1983 KZ550 (6700 miles) which like all later GPz550 models used the larger TK CV Carbs. Why change? First this Gpz550 was no stock bike but rather it was pretty modified (Wiseco 615, Moriwaki Cams, Yosh, Dyna Ignition & Coils, Mikuni/K&Ns, suspension etc) when I purchased it. The carbs are Mikuni TM27 D1's (Flatslides) and this model was built only for Kawi GPz550s, brillant marketing!!!. I have another set so pls contact me of you have TM27 D1 parts, nobody even lists them. The Flatslides fit the GPz CV models. The previous owner made some god awful adapter plates to fit the original cylinder head (T Carbs 22mm Slides). Later like Brendan can attest my first start up resulted in disaster. During start up, #1 NGK insulator broke free and chewed up the old style 615 BB pistons and nicked the #1 piston and valves. Since the cylinder head was already freshened I thought it was wise to use a new head & jug. So I purchased a parked 83 KZ550, new Gen Wiseco 615 BB kit, sent out the low mileage head for a valve job, had bronze valves installed etc. Buttoned it up and this video was the "second" start up. Along the way I became very experienced with splitting GPz550 cases. The entire story is on the on the GS Resource Forum, the thread was like 30 pages and several years. Unfortunately Photobucket ransomed all the photos. Today my 81 GPz550 runs good, loves to rev and is joy to ride. Along the way I found a black 1981 NOS Supertrapp muffler, so I am also looking for a Supertrapp header. The Yosh is pretty loud but fits the GPz personality. :)
great restoration . can i ask if that is the correct engine ? looks like later model ZX 550 ? sqaure end rocker cover caps , is there an update video ?
This is the correct cylinder head. In 1980 Kawasaki introduced this engine with this style of cam covers and provided a tad bit more performance with hotter cams on the GPz model. Not everything is correct on this gentleman's restoration but he's done a fabulous job for something this old.
Where can I restore my 550? Mine is a KZ and it seems like the bikes are a dime a dozen let alone the bike itself. Do you have any places to recommend or something?
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I had the same one in 1990, in Anton Mang green color..with marwing...greetings from Belgrade, Serbia
When i turned 16 in 1981 my Dad gave me the option of a car / truck or motorcycle. I was already running wild on my old Kawasaki S3 so naturaly i wanted a new motorcycle and the GPZ caught my eye.
So it wasnt long before i was 16 years old, had a brand new GPZ, pretty girlfriend on the back and having a blast.
Thank you for sharing this video. Bring back Great memories.
I had one of these when i was in my late teens back in the 80’s, had a 4-1 piper exhaust and i just loved this bike, purse power
What an amazing bike. I have a 1982 GPZ750 R1 and this hopefully will be my next acquisition :)
I thought the 305 was fast then saw 550 n can't imagine how quick ur 750 is bet it handles like a champ too
@@13rew76 It's an amazing road bike. The torque is fat and where it's most useful at 100-150kph. I have a gpz900r and actually feels quicker on the 750 on road speeds.
I can imagine it's nippy lol I miss having a bike gotta srt out
i had one bad ass sounds like a bear growling!
Nice work, looks very good. Thanks for sharing.
I had one of those, same year, very comfortable ride
loved my old GPZ550 back in 1981, best bike ever 👌
This is the sexiest bike ever made.
Absolutely beautiful. Nice job with the labor of love.
That. Bike.screams. The. 80s. Love. It
Nice work Steve!
Thanks Brendan!
Nice content brother.
My first bike. Same year. Beautiful! Too bad about the after-market can--those things are really only good for turning neighbors into enemies.
I am running a Supertrapp 4 into 1 with 12 discs. The exhaust sound is not offensive and my neighbors do not give my GPz a second glance.
Looks like a blast!
The GPz550 is now officially a runner. I will post a new video soon with all the changes I have made plus share some lessons I learned. I replaced the Yoshimura with a Supertrapp NOS 4 into 1 for centerstand use & oil filter access. The Mikuni Smoothbores are jetted and running perfectly with K&N's. Replaced the fork springs with Progressives etc. Safe riding everyone
Steve
Do you still have the gosh pipe?
@@marshallcollins8634 Sorry to say, I sold the Yoshi to a KZ Rider Forum member about 2 years ago.
Omg I want one of these
Sounds like the carbs need balancing and the carb slides are worn, Another common problem is also the diaphrams, so worth checking those too along with the inlet rubbers but, looks good!
Yes, this thing definitely needs some carb work before setting out for street duty.
Kawasaki 550 clutch rattle. “They all do that sir”. Kawasaki dealers all have stories about people sending their bike back multiple times because of the clutch rattle.
@@SvenTviking My GT 550 rattled like a good 'un when cold. I just got used to it!
The carbs are Mikuni Flatslides and they were barely running when I took this 2018 video. The TM27 D1s are dialed in and start instantly. Another enthusiast shared the Mikuni install instructions which has stock jetting, modified & race jetting. The new video shows how easy the GPz starts. It’s a runner
Sweet
Regarding the correct engine. Yes
specialse & others the Cylinder head & Jug are from a 1983 KZ550 (6700 miles) which like all later GPz550 models used the larger TK CV Carbs. Why change? First this Gpz550 was no stock bike but rather it was pretty modified (Wiseco 615, Moriwaki Cams, Yosh, Dyna Ignition & Coils, Mikuni/K&Ns, suspension etc) when I purchased it.
The carbs are Mikuni TM27 D1's (Flatslides) and this model was built only for Kawi GPz550s, brillant marketing!!!. I have another set so pls contact me of you have TM27 D1 parts, nobody even lists them. The Flatslides fit the GPz CV models. The previous owner made some god awful adapter plates to fit the original cylinder head (T Carbs 22mm Slides). Later like Brendan can attest my first start up resulted in disaster. During start up, #1 NGK insulator broke free and chewed up the old style 615 BB pistons and nicked the #1 piston and valves. Since the cylinder head was already freshened I thought it was wise to use a new head & jug. So I purchased a parked 83 KZ550, new Gen Wiseco 615 BB kit, sent out the low mileage head for a valve job, had bronze valves installed etc. Buttoned it up and this video was the "second" start up. Along the way I became very experienced with splitting GPz550 cases. The entire story is on the on the GS Resource Forum, the thread was like 30 pages and several years. Unfortunately Photobucket ransomed all the photos.
Today my 81 GPz550 runs good, loves to rev and is joy to ride. Along the way I found a black 1981 NOS Supertrapp muffler, so I am also looking for a Supertrapp header. The Yosh is pretty loud but fits the GPz personality. :)
great restoration . can i ask if that is the correct engine ? looks like later model ZX 550 ? sqaure end rocker cover caps , is there an update video ?
Looks like a zx cylinder head and block on an earlier bottom end...I have his original pistons from an earlier build.
This is the correct cylinder head. In 1980 Kawasaki introduced this engine with this style of cam covers and provided a tad bit more performance with hotter cams on the GPz model. Not everything is correct on this gentleman's restoration but he's done a fabulous job for something this old.
I had a 305 belt drive great bike I bet the 550 flys along to
Where can I restore my 550? Mine is a KZ and it seems like the bikes are a dime a dozen let alone the bike itself. Do you have any places to recommend or something?
4 years later hows the 550 running?
The GPz550 is dialed in and running great. I posted a new video in May. Fast forward to the end to see & hear it running.
Buetifull.... Except that pipe lol.
i need these tank u have stock, i can buy it.