1980 KZ550 Ltd. what do I do with this?

Trevor May

Been Around the Block
Its a yard find. The PO said it was stored in a shed and was winterized before it was forgotten. I don't believe them anymore. The engine was covered in dirt. The carbs are filthy inside and out. There is rust EVERYWHERE, even on the pistons from what I can see. I thought it would be a quick project, but now I don't know what I've gotten myself into. Engine isn't seized, gas tank has no rust (!) and other than emgo dunstall exausts, its complete. I've started to take off parts and dump them into evapo-rust 3 Gal bucket, but its only working not bad, and there are a lot of rusty pieces. Almost every piece of hardware is rusty. I don't love it, but I own it.

I could really use some people to weigh in. I just wanted a few extra bucks to work on the projects I actually like. Can anyone put some ideas forward? Otherwise I'm going to just make it run, which unfortunately includes probably at least a top end and lots of paint.
 

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Might be a bit of a long term project.

A lot of that should clean up with some soda blasting. The engine is what might end up costing you. $50-$80 for a gasket and seal kit and maybe another couple of hundred for a valve job and new rings.
 
canyoncarver said:
That KZ 550 is a great little motor. The 80's cruiser style is coming back man!
I was looking for a gpz but I had impulse-itis when it popped up so cheap. I'm also looking for a ride for commuting and thought it could handle 70 mph to work and back easily. Maybe it will next season.
 
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