GPZ 550 project

Lewis_29tn

Lewis_29tn

New Member
Just wanted to start off with saying I'm new to the forum and after months of procrastinating decided to create an account. Always big into old school bikes and especially the cafe racers. This summer I picked up a KZ550 ltd from a family friend. I wanted to create more of a "cafe/rat" bike and have $1000 total invested in the bike. Have picture of before and after from my summer build. I recently picked up a GPZ 550 for $250 WITH TITLE. For this bike I really want to create a clean and meticulous cafe racer like in the Cafe Racer magazine and shows. The builds done by those bike builders........ AMAZING!!!!! So my goal is to powder coat the frame and reshoot the engine with new paint. This will be a slow build as I work 6 days out of the week..... Just would like to get some advice and ideas from you all on what would be ideal for parts and tailpieces for the bike. Got to love small blocks :)
 

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Started tearing down the bike today. Was trying to figure out why the bike wasn't firing. I was getting good compression in all four cylinders, spark from both coils and it was turning over with ease. Took the top end off and don't see any signs of scaring from the pistons or anything out of the ordinary. Any feedback on that issue would be great.
 
Anyways started stripping the bike for fabrication and dropped the frontend of a fzr 600 into the frame. My surprise it dropped right in with no work necessary. Also managed to get a pair of Woodcraft rear sets for a zx6 off craigslist and hope to started fabing the frame soon.
 

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Good looking bike for a slightly updated Cafe, in my opinion. Since you have the singe shock rear end a more modern race seat would be great. USD forks would be cool, but as you already have double discs on the front you might want to stick with that front end assuming it is sound. Maybe race emulators and an oil change is all it needs to really perform well? I'll be3 watching this one.
 
those bikes handled very well stock,way better than you can ride on the street
that fzr front end is too short, unfortunately a handling downgrade :-\m usd down forks are too short as well
and why did you change the rear wheel ?
 
I used the original GPZ wheel for my other bike and threw this junk LTD just to have a rolling frame. Plan on using the the rear FZR rim and the FZR swingarm. Hope to start soon. Here is my initial sketch for the bike.
 

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Lewis-

Love your concept drawing.
One thing I learned, in my drawings I always make the seat hump taller than looks good to me in real life.
If you're going to start the seat hump with foam, that works well to see it in 3D before you commit to a design.

-Sherm
 
I'll make sure ill do that once I start the tail piece! So I put some finishing touches on the sketch. Everything is not set in stone yet but liking it so far.

Next thing can someone tell me if I can get rid of those awful CV carbs and go with mechanical sliders that are on the KZ550?
 

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Looks like an SOHC CB750 head on your drawings....just sayin'. ;)

Yes, you can switch out cv carbs for straight pull carbs. Do your homework on which ones though.
 
leave the stock wheels, forks and swingarm on it ,otherwise you will just make it less of a motorcycle than it was originally
your drawing ? is your idea of improving the bike having it lowererd, with no suspension and a power sapping exhaust system ? there is nothing wrong with the stock carbs and airbox either, you can't improve upon it without some REALLY serious tuning knowledge
 
Luckily working with family friend who does fabrication and welding so their won't be much of a problem with any fab work that needs to be done. Just wanted to do a updated twist on an 80's bike. Not a fan at all with CV carbs, regardless they have been giving me problems and rather go with the mechanical slider carbs like on the regular KZ's. Mechanical wise going to leave it stock besides pods and exhaust which my family friend insisted on wanting to do. Although someone has a ATP NOS turbo for the KZ550 for sale, which would be crazy! Just curious what would you have to do to the engine to withstand the horsepower?
 

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Well I did some revision on the sketch as I still wasn't happy with where it was going. Here is the final sketch but I am probably going to change the tailpiece to more sleaker look. I'll be starting next week after I get back from vacation.
 

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Like the sketch and the idea of a sleeker tail. You might look to the rear of the tank for inspiration?
 
Lewis_29tn said:
Just wanted to start off with saying I'm new to the forum and after months of procrastinating decided to create an account. Always big into old school bikes and especially the cafe racers. This summer I picked up a KZ550 ltd from a family friend. I wanted to create more of a "cafe/rat" bike and have $1000 total invested in the bike. Have picture of before and after from my summer build. I recently picked up a GPZ 550 for $250 WITH TITLE. For this bike I really want to create a clean and meticulous cafe racer like in the Cafe Racer magazine and shows. The builds done by those bike builders........ AMAZING!!!!! So my goal is to powder coat the frame and reshoot the engine with new paint. This will be a slow build as I work 6 days out of the week..... Just would like to get some advice and ideas from you all on what would be ideal for parts and tailpieces for the bike. Got to love small blocks :)
Click to expand...


Hope nobody go hurt in that wreck.
That swing arm will kill somebody.


.
 
Due to work schedule and Ohio's fantastic weather, I have not been able to go any further on the bike. However picked up a set of these nasty GSXR forks to change up the front end. Once I get it back in the shop. I plan on mocking the bike up and see how much clearance I have with this front end.
 

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A little update for everyone. Finally was able to get back in the shop and starting mocking up the bike. Not sure yet how I want the back end to work.
 

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I just picked this up and can someone tell me what year this is? I was thinking 1978
 

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The blue colors came out in the very early 80's maybe 82 or 83. I had a 76 jr50 like that and it was yellow with black lettering.
 
I know it's just mocked up, but that swingarm is at a pretty extreme angle. Your chain is not going to like that. Just something to consider.
I do like how this is taking shape.
 
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