1980 kz550 ltd anything but stock build

cbrianroll

Coast to Coast
here it is...not sexy at all. Got it for $50.00....spark on 1&4, no spark on 2&3, needs an igniter I think. This is my first kawasaki....any words of wisdom? I'm thinking just a quick and easy cafe Ish and resell...I really want a cool single cylinder to build. Thoughts and pics of cool builds would be much appreciated, thanks.
 

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Check coils and HT leads and plug caps first before ordering an ignitor.
 
If your just going to resell it I wouldn't cafe it. These frames are not suitable for a cafe look without quite a bit of fabrication. I would put some lower bars are trim the seat down as see if that's good enough for a sale. if you are going to pull the valve cover to inspect the valve clearance it is crucial that you remove the chain tensioner. here is some valve train info http://gpzweb.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com/CamsKZZXZR550500400/CamsKZZXZR550500400.html
 
not planning a full custom cafe racer, just make it look less retarded,I think it would sell better where I live.
 

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I really dig the fact that you using a bike that typically doesn't get customized much. I have an 83 model that I am about to start on myself. I see a lot of potential in these, it just takes a little more work.
 
Not gonna lie....probably wouldn't have bought it if it were priced higher. But I do like the modded one and it's growing on me the more I tear into it.
 
So...a new igniter is priced really bad. I'm thinking a dyna ds2-2 is in the future. Am I reading correctly that it replaces the igniter and regulator? I'm not to savvy with electronics yet...thanks
 
It will replace the pickups and rotor on the crank end as well as the ignitor. Check the wiring diagram to be sure what other functions are tied to the ignitor. If it's things like side stand switch, you can eliminate that, but if if feeds the tacho or anything else, you may need a workaround. I don't think that will be an issue, but worth checking.

Regulator and rectifier are not usually combined in the ECU because the regulator generates heat and the ignitor is easily damaged with too much heat.

If your bike has a mechanical advance unit, you are golden, but if the ignition advance is generated by the ECU, that could be a bit of an issue to overcome. In that case you can probably get a mechanical advance unit for a different model and make it work.
 

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a little more progress. Painted forks, wheels, playing with the cx500 tank and handlebars. Hopefully powder coat some stuff tomorrow.
 

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Ok....a couple things...it seems I can't post pics. Help. I'm on android....perhaps a desktop would work? 2nd....it seems the info on kzs fork oil level number doesn't match the mesuerment number. It roughly says add 9 fl.oz and it should measure 14in from top...with spring out and extended fork. Anyone know what's up with this?? Thanks.
 
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