I'm getting a Kawasaki GT550, any advice on them??

[jimspeed]

Evening guys I'm of tomorrow to fetch a 1981 GT550z that I've been given for free , I'm not sure what condition its in having been stood for a couple of years but was in daily use before the bloke got a new bike from insurance claim (he bought the gt as a stop gap while ins argued).
sooo are they any good , what common faults etc I've tried to find one for sale and can't so I recon they are a bit thin on the ground now.
I was thinking of maybe a tart up and mot and maybe punt it on ebay in the summer of we have one as I can't ride 2 bikes and like me old GPZ..
thoughts??
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Hyosung cruise 125(passed test on, sold) Kawasaki el 252 (better than expected but sold on) Kawasaki GPZ500S first "big"bike.(sold) ZZR600 E5..Z750 2007,ER5, currently on a 2008 Enfield bullet electra x and loving it..
,"Alpha-9: Is there any correlation between dyno rod and dyno kits?"

[Babba]

I've never paid money for one, but I have fond memories of the one I borrowed to tour Europe in '92.

Although it could've been a 750, I can't remember, probably not much differance.

I think the fact that someone dared to lend it me says a lot about the bike itself !

If it cost you nothing, then use & abuse it. Treat it as a learning experience, do things with it that you wouldn't dare do to a serious girlfriend. Whoops ! Sorry, I meant significant other motorcycle.

[temeluchus]

You sure its a GT550 (Z550GT)? I think they were introduced in 83.
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Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM!

[jimspeed]

[Thelostone]

The four most common problems as I remember them (in no particular order);

Speedo drive lasts five minutes unless packed with grease. When dispatching I used to repack once a month. Miss a month and it would die.

Earth lead breaking. The battery should have a rubber strap over the top to stop it wobbling, but as the battery sits in a hole from which it can't escape people often don't bother. This allows the battery to wobble, breaking the metal of the earth wire but leaving the plastic sheaving intact and thus looking ok. Prevent this happening by stuffing rags down the side of the battery.

Carb diaphragms splitting. These are ridiculously expensive but a little superglue and maybe the use of cut up rubber gloves and problem solved for pennies.

Rear mudguard/indicator-numberplate hanger rusts.

Other than that they are pretty much indestructible. My last one I put 100,000+ miles dispatching on an engine that was second hand when I fitted it, during which time about all I did was replace a cam chain.

[_Iain_]

From what i know, bombproof.

Carbs expensive to replace and wear out, apparently a good courier bike.

Looked at one on ebay a few months back
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Please be aware that the above post may be full of complete nonsense.
Riding: '07 KTM Duke II, Baotian BT49QT-20 Driving: '88 Volvo 340

[temeluchus]

[Usher4566]

I had a gt550 shaft drive for couple of years it was spot on only problem I had was one coil stoped working but other than that very good on fuel low maintenance andpulled great
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New cd200 benly owner

[jimspeed]

got it
https://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii223/felicia16v/DSC_0185.jpg
https://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii223/felicia16v/DSC_0184.jpg
https://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii223/felicia16v/DSC_0186.jpg
not entirely sure what it actually is as it has a gpz 550 sticker on either side
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Hyosung cruise 125(passed test on, sold) Kawasaki el 252 (better than expected but sold on) Kawasaki GPZ500S first "big"bike.(sold) ZZR600 E5..Z750 2007,ER5, currently on a 2008 Enfield bullet electra x and loving it..
,"Alpha-9: Is there any correlation between dyno rod and dyno kits?"

[Stonefly]

Its a GPz550 Unitrack! They were great fun to ride back in the day. If i recall correctly, they would hit 122mph when new.
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Current......Kawasaki ZZR1200 C2H and Kawasaki ZZR600 E7
Previous....Yamaha FS1E, Honda SS50, Suzuki AP50, BSA Bantam D14, Honda CD175, Honda CB250N, Kawasaki Z250A3, Yamaha RD250E, Kawasaki Z400, Kawasaki Z500, Kawasaki GPz550, Honda NTV600, Kawasaki GT750, Kawasaki Z1000R, Kawasaki GPX250

[Babba]

I had the last model of that before Kawasaki discontinued it & went watercooled.

Beautifull bikes, lots of mates in the early 80's had them as their stepping ston to the bigger bikes.

If it's cost you nothing it might be worth chucking a few hundred at it

[temeluchus]

Easy machines to get on with, easy maintenance, plenty of cheap spares.

The motor is smooth, accelleration is brisk and the handling is up to the motor.
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Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM!