Triumphrat

sweatmachine · 12-01-2007, 07:22 PM

Another project that is:

This little gem cost $300 US, runs, and has a clear title. It's a 1983 KZ550ltd. Limited baby. Ok, it's not actually mine, it belongs to my brother. He bought a year ago and hasn't done anything with it so he basically gave it to me and said, "get it running and rideable".

Of course, I have more plans that just that! I plan on doing a mild cafe/rat bike makeover, lotsa black, less stuff, smaller seat, etc. It will be cleaned up, airbox elim, pipe chop, etc. I rode it about a year ago. The thing is WEAK on the bottom end but once it gets on the cam it will move out ok. It is only a 550, but it has potential. I have a ton of parts laying around so my goal is to finish it without buying very many parts. It should be a cool and fun ride for under $1000.

I'm excited about riding the bonnie and working on something else!

SHRuuM · 12-01-2007, 07:58 PM

Another bike?

I've been waitin' for you to finish up your other bike so Duckmann, Road_Dog, and a couple of the other boys and I could go for a putt around Phil's place before the weather goes south. But seriously, is your bike together for a putt?

mecscc · 12-01-2007, 08:07 PM

Been waiting to see a pic of that puppy. Nice. Be sure to take some before and after pics! Great little powerplant that. Once up on the cams, as we discussed, she will surprize you with her quickness. I guess that you DID get the Bonnie going this weekend. Yes?

Monte

Kframe · 12-01-2007, 09:20 PM

That's a nice scoot you got there!
Loads of potential.
I'm thinking rear fender elimination, obviously a better seat, solo preferably, TT style pipes or a 2-1 mounted about where the stocker is.
Say, are those Mikuni carbs or something else.

What's the weight?
Should be able to open up the breathing on both ends and make 'er into a light snotty SOB!

I'll be interested to watch and see what you end up doing.
Sounds like fun!
-K

ATGATT · 12-01-2007, 09:39 PM

Yes sir. Working on bike projects is in your blood. No doubt.

Catenaccio · 12-01-2007, 09:40 PM

One can never have bikes enough...Ohm.

ohiorider · 12-01-2007, 09:43 PM

That's a four cylinder, isn't it? Some of the 80's bikes were so neat. Sort of first gen hot rods from Japan.

Good luck bringing her back to her former self. If only we could do that for ourselves.

You're a bit too young to remember, but all of of the Japanese mfgs got caught up in the 700cc or less embargo. That was Reagan's effort to give HD a kick start, but it certainly caused us to have some smaller than usual UJMs. Even so, they worked around the embargo fairly well.

Bob

Retro-Racer · 12-01-2007, 10:10 PM

Take a sniff around the AHRMA site. A rag-tag team a couple of years ago at Mid-Ohio put together a fairly decent roadracing bike out of one of those (or similar UJM cruiser).

/Mike

sweatmachine · 12-02-2007, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATGATT

Yes sir. Working on bike projects is in your blood. No doubt.

yep. I'm hooked for sure. I'm beginning to think I like wrenching as much as riding (gasp!).

As long as it is fun-wrenching, not repair-wrenching. Ah heck I like it all.

sweatmachine · 12-02-2007, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ohiorider

That's a four cylinder, isn't it? Some of the 80's bikes were so neat. Sort of first gen hot rods from Japan.

Good luck bringing her back to her former self. If only we could do that for ourselves.

You're a bit too young to remember, but all of of the Japanese mfgs got caught up in the 700cc or less embargo. That was Reagan's effort to give HD a kick start, but it certainly caused us to have some smaller than usual UJMs. Even so, they worked around the embargo fairly well.

Bob

It's a 4 cylinder alright, a little bugger. I love the 70s/80s UJMs. I'd rather have a kz1000 or something but I think I'll like the smallness of this one. It is actually VERY comfortable to sit on. It has these little crash guards around the engine kind of like the small scrambler ones, very good footrest. That giant seat is comfy too. I put some clubmans on it and they are perfect. I'm excited about this one!

Bob, I Was too young to 'remember' the 700cc deal but I've read a lot about it in my perusing of motorcycle ads. Brought us such lovely bikes as the honda magna 700 instead of the 750.