Kawasaki GPZ500 Custom Cafe Racer Project

[MiniMan96]

Hey all. Im new to this so bare with me. Also this is on a different thread but im just transferring it over to this. I put it in the wrong section like a muppet Been pestered to join this for a year by Fladdem but I've been too busy to join... So why not do it at work while I have jack shit to do?


Anyways, around Mid September I bought a fully working GPZ550 off my mate (Fladdem) who got it for free. Instead of doing my A2 and riding that I thought "Hell with it. They look awesome cafe racer'd". So to his disgust I stripped it down over a few weekends in the shed and planned what I was going to do with it. My plans were to put a ZXR600 front and rear end on with Upsy Downies and a Ohlins shock from work. After searching eBay I didn't come across any parts within my price range, but I came across a VFR750 single sided swingarm. So I showed my step dad, as he was interested, and passed a comment of "Fuck. I wish I could but a single sided swingarm on mine" to which he responded "Why not? You can make anything fit". So me being me I accepted the challenge and bought the whole rear end (Braided brake line, calliper, disc, swingarm, showa shock, the linkage, CBR wheel with tyre and sprocket) for just £250 with postage.

The next job is to get that fitted (I ran out of time and money due to my shit pay package and busy work life style) so I'm still waiting to fit it to my frame. I've already cut out the rear sets and suspension linkages as they were going to be in the way, so I just need to find a tig welder and fabricate a new suspension mount and rear sets mounting position.

So while I was waiting for that I kept at the hunt for a front end. With no luck I found some Aprillia RSV Millie top and bottom yokes, so if any forks, callipers, wheel and disc's come along for a reasonable price I'll buy them. But in the meantime Im going to look at making the yokes fit as well as the swimgarm.

As well as all that I've cut down the frame so I can fit a fibreglass seat unit which fits perfectly and will look awesome. I haven't got any photo's of the seat but ill get some at some point when i remember.

Thats all I've done so far as I really haven't had the time to work on it. But the possibility of even converting it to injection instead of carbs came to my head, but its probably too much money than its worth.

Im planning to make it a reliable bike because I intend to ride it long distances and also show it off at shows with my Mini. So it wont just be a show bike but a bike I can ride often.

Cheers guys

https://s1055.photobucket.com/user/MiniMan96/media/GPZ550%20Project/20150918_234212000_iOS_zps42gzegaa.jpg.html?sort=3&o=4
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Classic Mini, Land Rover Defender 90, Kawasaki GPZ550 Custom (Bought from Fladdem), Honda VFR400 NC24, Suzuki GSXR400 gk73a

[bladeblaster]

Sounds like it will be interesting.

[Fladdem]

I am both saddened and mildly aroused when I think about what you're doing to my bike.

Continue.
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Current:1991 Honda MT50 (Soon to be a H100/MTX/MT5 hybrid), 1976 Honda Cub C70, 2005 Honda Varadero 125, 1993 Yamaha TTR250 Open Enduro , 2010 Road Legal Stomp YX140, 1994 Honda CRM 250 MK III, 1999 Cagiva Mito 125, 1992 Honda CB400 Super Four, Stomp T4 230, 1984 Honda H100s, 2009 Sym XS125K
Past:2003 Aprilia RS125, 1982 Kawasaki GPZ550(FREE BIKE!)
I'm having more fun than a well-oiled midget.

[stevo as b4]

Sounds like someone is finally doing something towards getting the old Mongrel on the road and looking good too!

Did it take long to get it out of Fladdems garage? I'm imagining it was a full day of moving bikes, parts and other 'dunno what that is but it might be useful one day' items to get it out into daylight?

[MiniMan96]

[Fladdem]

[Vincent 2]

Like to see the pics , so gave you a hand,hope you dont mind
https://i1055.photobucket.com/albums/s503/MiniMan96/GPZ550%20Project/20150918_234212000_iOS_zps42gzegaa.jpg
https://i1055.photobucket.com/albums/s503/MiniMan96/GPZ550%20Project/20150920_182833000_iOS_zps0plnqdwe.png

https://i1055.photobucket.com/albums/s503/MiniMan96/GPZ550%20Project/20150920_171024000_iOS_zpswhgi7ink.jpg

[MiniMan96]

[Vincent 2]

Here you are , I think this is better so you can see your work all in one place

[Vincent 2]

Hi Anthony , actually enjoyed the rant over in General Bike chat , must admit i`ve had the same thing , people assume that when your new to a forum you dont know anything about bikes, Good on yer Matey

[MiniMan96]