New GPz550 mods: NOS Supertrapp 4 into 1. Photo before and after frame up restoration, lessons learned and details about running Mikuni TM Flatslides. Thanks Steve
At 18, I was dreaming about the GPz550. The 1981 one year only twin shocker specifically. It looks better than than later uni-trak models. Love them to this day.
I've never owned a motorcycle and I'm not licensed to drive one, but this is the bike I yearn for. Can't explain it - this one just "does it" for me. Thanks for the video!
Steve, I just wanted to thank you for your unbelievably detailed (and fraught) build log and the videos. I'm just starting on an 81 twin shock gpz 550 myself. Looks like you've done several years of my homework for me! Mine's been butchered, with knobbly tyres and had the back of the frame shortened cafe style. But after seeing your bike, and as I've got all the original plastics I'm determined to return it to stock. Although for me it has to be the green.😃
Adam, I am glad you found a twin shock Kawi GPz550 that you can bring back to life and enjoy riding. A frame off restoration project will take longer than you expect, will challenge your skills and patience. Ultimately you will learn a lot but the effort will be worth it. :) Although a Green ELR GPz550 will be a wicked jewel, it seems the market favors completely stock Japanese motorcycle restorations, e.g. Z-1, CB750 sand caster, Z-1R etc. My GPz550 was and is highly modified. I am glad I retained all the performance modifications that make my GPz550 a recognizable custom. Go forth with conviction because its your GPz550. I am looking forward to seeing pics on the Forums.
@@stevereischel7229 Steve, can you recommend a forum? I can't find any that cater for the air cooled gpzs. It'd be nice to show everyone the various jigsaw pieces!
@@adambangay6122 The KZ Rider forum kzrider.com/forum/forum-index would be a good choice. The forum has a large Z1 following but there is also many skilled GPz owners/ tuners/enthusiasts. Start with an introduction and take it from there!
Reminds me of my old Kawasaki KZ550 GT G1(GT 550) which was the shaftie version of this bike. Loved that thing. Miss it now. That one is almost exactly the same bar the chain drive and the lack of parcel shelf on the back (and the top fairing of course). Gorgeous.
Unfortunately Kawasaki never sold the GT550 shaft in the US, that would have been a great bike. Back in the early 1980s, Kawasaki & other Japanese manufacturers were selling Customs, LTD's & Specials at a rate of 10:1 for every standard model sold. Cannot wait till Spring !
@@stevereischel7229 I didn't know that. Just seems utterly bizarre to me the choices that the importers make when they select which machines from a given manufacturer to sell in a territory. Why DIDN'T the GT get sold in the US??? I suppose they were trying to cash in on the dispatch craze of the time in European cities like London. But with the plush saddle, shaft drive, relatively low seat height and air suspension one would have thought it would be ideally suited to the US market. Bonkers (IMHO)!
Nice bike ! I had one of these which I put around 75,000 miles on over a 15 year period . It was stock apart from a Harris 4 into 1 exhaust ( a UK performance company ) Never had any problems with the bike . They sure run sweet with the standard carbs / airbox and just the pipe . Didn't notice your horns , should have 2 , one either side of the oil cooler . Cheers 😀
Hi Groover, Kudos to you for racking up serious mileage on your GPz550! Here in the US, I think the majority of Japanese UJMs, sport bikes never racked up tons of mileage with the exception of Goldwings etc. I bought my GPz550 in 2013 which was highly modified but had been sitting with just 22K for close to 20 years before I did the restoration. As you know the EPA made the US 1981 GPz550 a cold blooded beast. The stock TK22 carbs screws were set lean and took several minutes to just warm up before the bike was rideable. An easy fix for those who understand carb adjustments. My bike came with the Mikuni Flatslides but none of the OEM parts (seat, exhaust, ignition, cams etc).😢 The US version also came with just a single anemic horn. I would prefer dual Fiamms but I have not upgraded. I am still looking for the correct Lt mirror & Flatslides rebuild kits. Thx, Steve
Steve, I have an 81 GPz 550 that I purchased in the summer of 1981. It was only the third unit that arrived at the Kawasaki Dealership near where I lived at the time. One week after I received the Test Ride Issue of Cycle World Magazine, a buddy that had a Kawasaki 500 H2, gave me a ride over there and when we walked in the Manager came over and said "My guys have your Bike ready to go, if you'll follow me... My friend looked at me with bewilderment.. 🤔 and just followed both of us into the Service Area. We went to the back where the high bay doors were... "Here you are... He handed me the Keys to my new Firecracker Red 81 GPz 550 and I started it. I looked at my friend and said "I was here Wednesday and paid for it and did all the paperwork. Last one back to your house buys the Pizza..! When he pulled up next to me in HIS driveway, we turned off the Bikes and I said PEPPERONI AND MUSHROOM PLEASE..!
Hey Warren, Thanks for sharing your story of picking up your new 1981 GPz550 from the dealership. Its amazing how riding with friends and some friendly competition create those life long memories! Do you still have your KZ550 D1? Thx Steve
I hav an ‘82 and could use some advice syncing and adjusting the carbs. What forum are you on for these bikes? The boots to the air box were all rotted and I’ve found new ones but it is unbelievably hard to get them to fit. The bike is complete, but needs a full going over.
The KZ Forum is your best bet for GPz550 advice. There are numerous GPz owners with a wealth of knowledge. Regarding the H1/H2 carb boots, spray some WD-40 on a rag and wipe the inside of the carb boots. Then wipe the carb mating OD surface too. Next, get a friend to help with the carb installation. Use a heat gun on low setting to warm up the air box boots and other stiff rubber parts. Once the boots are pliable, work quickly and install the carbs. Best, Steve
@stevereischel7229 mostly europe,think sold in Australia as well,they look very similar to that gpz550 but the gt was shaft drive. Very popular bikes in 80s for dispatch couriers.
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The bikes of my adolescent dreams, GPz550 and GPz750. That style is epic and timeless
At 18, I was dreaming about the GPz550. The 1981 one year only twin shocker specifically. It looks better than than later uni-trak models. Love them to this day.
I've never owned a motorcycle and I'm not licensed to drive one, but this is the bike I yearn for. Can't explain it - this one just "does it" for me. Thanks for the video!
Glad you enjoyed the video. Your welcome!
Steve, I just wanted to thank you for your unbelievably detailed (and fraught) build log and the videos. I'm just starting on an 81 twin shock gpz 550 myself. Looks like you've done several years of my homework for me! Mine's been butchered, with knobbly tyres and had the back of the frame shortened cafe style. But after seeing your bike, and as I've got all the original plastics I'm determined to return it to stock. Although for me it has to be the green.😃
Adam, I am glad you found a twin shock Kawi GPz550 that you can bring back to life and enjoy riding. A frame off restoration project will take longer than you expect, will challenge your skills and patience. Ultimately you will learn a lot but the effort will be worth it. :) Although a Green ELR GPz550 will be a wicked jewel, it seems the market favors completely stock Japanese motorcycle restorations, e.g. Z-1, CB750 sand caster, Z-1R etc. My GPz550 was and is highly modified. I am glad I retained all the performance modifications that make my GPz550 a recognizable custom. Go forth with conviction because its your GPz550. I am looking forward to seeing pics on the Forums.
@@stevereischel7229 Steve, can you recommend a forum? I can't find any that cater for the air cooled gpzs. It'd be nice to show everyone the various jigsaw pieces!
@@adambangay6122 The KZ Rider forum kzrider.com/forum/forum-index would be a good choice. The forum has a large Z1 following but there is also many skilled GPz owners/ tuners/enthusiasts. Start with an introduction and take it from there!
Reminds me of my old Kawasaki KZ550 GT G1(GT 550) which was the shaftie version of this bike. Loved that thing. Miss it now. That one is almost exactly the same bar the chain drive and the lack of parcel shelf on the back (and the top fairing of course). Gorgeous.
The gt 550 was sweet. I especially loved the gt 750 in that funky gold color
Unfortunately Kawasaki never sold the GT550 shaft in the US, that would have been a great bike. Back in the early 1980s, Kawasaki & other Japanese manufacturers were selling Customs, LTD's & Specials at a rate of 10:1 for every standard model sold.
Cannot wait till Spring !
@@stevereischel7229 I didn't know that. Just seems utterly bizarre to me the choices that the importers make when they select which machines from a given manufacturer to sell in a territory. Why DIDN'T the GT get sold in the US??? I suppose they were trying to cash in on the dispatch craze of the time in European cities like London. But with the plush saddle, shaft drive, relatively low seat height and air suspension one would have thought it would be ideally suited to the US market. Bonkers (IMHO)!
Nice bike ! I had one of these which I put around 75,000 miles on over a 15 year period . It was stock apart from a Harris 4 into 1 exhaust ( a UK performance company ) Never had any problems with the bike . They sure run sweet with the standard carbs / airbox and just the pipe . Didn't notice your horns , should have 2 , one either side of the oil cooler . Cheers 😀
Hi Groover,
Kudos to you for racking up serious mileage on your GPz550! Here in the US, I think the majority of Japanese UJMs, sport bikes never racked up tons of mileage with the exception of Goldwings etc. I bought my GPz550 in 2013 which was highly modified but had been sitting with just 22K for close to 20 years before I did the restoration.
As you know the EPA made the US 1981 GPz550 a cold blooded beast. The stock TK22 carbs screws were set lean and took several minutes to just warm up before the bike was rideable. An easy fix for those who understand carb adjustments. My bike came with the Mikuni Flatslides but none of the OEM parts (seat, exhaust, ignition, cams etc).😢
The US version also came with just a single anemic horn. I would prefer dual Fiamms but I have not upgraded. I am still looking for the correct Lt mirror & Flatslides rebuild kits.
Thx,
Steve
I bought mine new in 81. Sweet little ride.😊
Kawasaki gave us a little gem when they released the GPz550 in the USA.
This and the 750 were my dream bike when I was a young marine
Steve, I have an 81 GPz 550 that I purchased in the summer of 1981. It was only the third unit that arrived at the Kawasaki Dealership near where I lived at the time. One week after I received the Test Ride Issue of Cycle World Magazine, a buddy that had a Kawasaki 500 H2, gave me a ride over there and when we walked in the Manager came over and said "My guys have your Bike ready to go, if you'll follow me... My friend looked at me with bewilderment.. 🤔 and just followed both of us into the Service Area. We went to the back where the high bay doors were... "Here you are... He handed me the Keys to my new Firecracker Red 81 GPz 550 and I started it. I looked at my friend and said "I was here Wednesday and paid for it and did all the paperwork. Last one back to your house buys the Pizza..!
When he pulled up next to me in HIS driveway, we turned off the Bikes and I said PEPPERONI AND MUSHROOM PLEASE..!
Hey Warren,
Thanks for sharing your story of picking up your new 1981 GPz550 from the dealership. Its amazing how riding with friends and some friendly competition create those life long memories!
Do you still have your KZ550 D1?
Thx
Steve
@@stevereischel7229 Yes I still have it. It desperately needs a full Restoration in order to be roadworthy again.
Awesome!
had the 83 model, fast, 120+ and quick quarter miles.
Those were faster than a KZ 650 and better handling.
Bought mine second owner and they had replaced 4into 2 with a kerker 4 into 1 header.
Great video.
Thank you Michael! How long have you owned your D1?
Hi
I have two actual D1 550
One I bought, and one I’ve had in bits for 25 years. Both are now running and in good condition.
Hi
I have a D1, it starts far better with NGK Iridium plugs.Fantastic bikes.
Thanks for sharing
I have that model but its a cafe racer now in your video you said the carbs are rare i have those exact Mikuni carbs and I'm selling them 27 mm
Im buying.
@Jason Feniello email:sreischel@yahoo.com Pictures always help
Just got one of these (1982) and have a set of the Mikuni TM27-D1 I'm considering selling.
I may be be interested
@@stevereischel7229 What is the best way to reach you?
@@iismatthew123 email:sreischel@yahoo.com
I hav an ‘82 and could use some advice syncing and adjusting the carbs. What forum are you on for these bikes? The boots to the air box were all rotted and I’ve found new ones but it is unbelievably hard to get them to fit. The bike is complete, but needs a full going over.
The KZ Forum is your best bet for GPz550 advice. There are numerous GPz owners with a wealth of knowledge. Regarding the H1/H2 carb boots, spray some WD-40 on a rag and wipe the inside of the carb boots. Then wipe the carb mating OD surface too. Next, get a friend to help with the carb installation. Use a heat gun on low setting to warm up the air box boots and other stiff rubber parts. Once the boots are pliable, work quickly and install the carbs.
Best,
Steve
Nice bike,how do it compare with the gt550
No experience with a gt550 so cannot compare them. Was the gt550 only sold in Europe?
@stevereischel7229 mostly europe,think sold in Australia as well,they look very similar to that gpz550 but the gt was shaft drive. Very popular bikes in 80s for dispatch couriers.
Steve, if you're ever interested in selling please let me know
Sure thing. Like they say, Everything has its price.