Not been on here for awhile so I thought id better do a update.
When I got her she was a non runner that had not been on the road for over 10 years.
One big mistake I made was not even asking the previous owner why hed stopped using her !!!!
Or who had ruined the standard paint job with that horrible plum colour . The exhaust was not fitted and when I tried to fit it it was not worth using, the rear brake caliper had the nipple snapped off so a replacement was needed, rear tyre was like a slick and the chain had two split links in it. You can see the seat was a mess as well and the front mudguard was an aftermarket job.
It took me quite a while get her running, first thing that didn't work was the starter solenoid , I replaced that and the engine turned, but she wouldn't fire. Off came the carbs for a clean ,on replacing the carbs it still wouldn't go. At this time I was also doing a restoration on a Morini 350 which was nearing completion so didn't have a lot of time to spare on the Gpz.
I was about to send her to the local shop to get them to try to get her running when I read somewhere about how soaking carb jets in vinegar was a great way of cleaning them.
I took the carbs off again and let the jets soak in vinegar for a few days replaced them and refitted the carbs.
At this stage I was using jump leads from my cart to connect up the o;d battery and turn the bike over. The tank was also full of rust so I was using an old washing up liquid bottle turned upside down as a fuel tank.
I live on my own so at times I have to wait for my brother to copme over when a job needs two apirs of hands.
Well one day when he was over I said give us a hand to refit the carbs and to see if the bike would start. Result she fired back to life for possibly the first time in ten years. this was a great result because it meant I didnt have to get the local shop involved and had a runner to work on.
One problem was going to be the brakes Ive mentioned about the rear having a butchered nipple. The fronts were seized as well > I managed to snap the nipple off one of them when trying to undo it so a replacement pair was sourced off ebay. New pistons and seals were purchased and pads as well.
I cleaned and sealed the tank and obtained a 550 ltd exhaust system with some other spares off the internet. I got a seat and mudguards from DK spares. I got the seat recovered at RK Leightons in Birmingham
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I am adding two photos for some reason. I also forgot to say that the rear master cylinder was shot and that a replacement piston is no longer available. Research on the gpz 550 forum told me that a zzr 250 one would fit if used with a new actuating rod that was made by my brother on his works lathe, I also boufght new rear shocks. Just as I was about to take her for an MOT I was tightening the exhaust nuts up when one snapped off . Damn . I couldn't remove it so it went to the local shop who fixed it and also Motd her she eventually passed and I was able to ride her home after about 18 months of work.
Shes A great bike and I am glad Ive perservered with her , but I like my bikes to be of a certain standard . The fuel guage didn't work and the rear mudguard was buckled I happened to come across replacements from Ebay America .