is it worth it?

[Garth84x]

hi all,

right this is the situation, a guy has offered me a FREE kawasaki Gt550think is early 80's (although on the side cover is says gpz) he is moving house in favour of a flat and has no room for it. however is mid restoration and is just a frame at the minute.
so question is..is it worth finishing or selling seperatly?
so far the frame has been powdercoated along with the wheels.
and the engine has had a full rebuild. also all the panels have been resprayed in a dark met green.

what are your opinions

thanks for looking

garry

[dean36014]

Depends on if you want a project really. The asking price is right, you could restore it or flog the parts on ebay and make some money. I'm just in the process of restoring a bike I was given for free, it will never be worth what i've spent on it, but its been a satisfying process and i've learnt alot along the way. I'm alot happier now doing jobs on my main bike as a result of the knowledge gained on building a bike from a bare frame.

[Mr.Everready]

Does the guy know you're thinking about just selling it for parts ? Surely he could just do that himself.
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the undemocratically unelected mod of the Scottish section

[Garth84x]

he just wants rid of it, think is's just a matter of putting it together, may need a few bits but it looks all there.

as im new to bikes im unsure on how good they are/were or how much it's worth.

Garry

[stinkwheel]

There was a GPz550 too. Very similar to the GT.

As I recall the GT is a shaft drive, the GPz is chain drive and has slightly funkier styling in an 80's "sports" style.

Not a bad old bus really. Could do worse for a starter bike.

A bit prone to head gasket leaks but unless you're talking exon valdeez levels of oil loss, they do ok.

Just remember to check if it is ALL there. A project being 95% complete is a lot of work. That last 5% is usually something totally unobtainable.

"Yeah, it's 95% complete, it just needs a CDI and a left hand reverse thrimble gratchet which was only made for that particular bike in that particular year and without which it will not run.".

The forum at https://www.thekwaksownersclub.co.uk/ is a useful resource.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Kickstart]

Hi

There was also the z550 (and even older the z500). Basic engine design they are all closely related. GPz is the sporty one, GT the one aimed at those wanting a basic touring bike (but probably most landed up being used for dispatching).

Doubt any would be worth a massive amount when built up (too many GTs landed up as ex dispatch wrecks and the GPz doesn't seem to have any sign of a classic following yet), but could be interesting to play with.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Polarbear]

It's free!

Take it, assemble it on the kitchen on those dark winter nights when it's shit to go out. Have a good supply of Stella in the fridge and if it all turns to ratshit you'll still get £100 quid off ebay for the bits.

No lose.

If you don't want it I bet theres a whole bar room of bikers on here thatr will take it off his hands.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Garth84x]

lol

thanks for the replys, must be a GT550 then as its shaft drive.

ill have a good look at all the bits and see what ive got and what it would need before i get the spanners out.

Garry