Not at all mate, this is a properly adjusted throttle body - when the choke is applied, it should advance the throttle just slightly, otherwise the engine would promptly die (no air whatso ever going through) I belive there is a small adjustment screw for this. When you close the choke, you should see your throttle wheel at the carbs move just slightly open - if you don't see this, then something is indeed misadjusted.
Um, no, this /is/ a z550, Vin: KZ550B004396. This is a 1982 B series, which was the Eurpoean varient and was never exported to the US. This style had such things like tripple disk brakes, a 'parking' light and a less restrictive emissions setup. Have a look on wikipedia for a 550 B series, you'll see a picture there.
AHA, thanks for explaining that, i have never seen a 550 with 3 discs, so i was like hahh, but ive never seen it because its a european bike, got it! haha thats sweet, why didnt kawasaki just make all the 550s including the 550 ltd with 3 discs? i want that haha
i would love to have the euro version with the triple discs. i have to say, on cold start, every single 550 i have heard (my own included) sounds like its filled with rocks. that is a very unnerving sound.
Michael Keith the best explanation i habe been given is that the 550 is a very high performance engine. (conside that it does put out a lot of power for its size) and the tolerances are very loose when cold but tighten up when its warm.
Ian Craig damn right it does. I got it up to 165kph today and it had room to spare. but aside from the speed (which I'm not a speed demon) it's the most nimble bike I've ever owned for a street bike. perfect for the mountain roads.
The sound you Are referring to. is not anything bad. almost all motorcycle from 70 and 80 does that. my kz does it, and the engine is like new inside. my xs750 also do it. and my friend's Suzuki. also do it. I think it can be fixed with some new clutch springs.
Yeh most of these early 4potssounded like a bag of nails untill you twist the throttle it's just a noisey clutch rattling away sounds worse than it is.
You can just make out the logo, Yoshimura on the side of the pipe. These were specifically designed pipes for this model bike. They came with it when I picked it up and did a rebuild. They're open pipe glass pack and to be honest I don't even know if one can get pipes like this any longer.
My first bike exactly colour...in 81 when i was 18
Same 👍
Sounds bitchin with that Yosh pipe !
Can you help me a have a same bike with the same air filter. Do you use some oil on the filters?
Nice bike. What exhaust do you have on here?
Lovely to see , I bought one in 1981 , I can still smell the bike shop now , thanks for sharing
Not at all mate, this is a properly adjusted throttle body - when the choke is applied, it should advance the throttle just slightly, otherwise the engine would promptly die (no air whatso ever going through) I belive there is a small adjustment screw for this. When you close the choke, you should see your throttle wheel at the carbs move just slightly open - if you don't see this, then something is indeed misadjusted.
I had a z550 many years ago. Thanks for sharing.
hi
Was going to buy one back in the day,wish I had.
Got a yamy dt 400 instead,great bike but the kwaka
would have been a shit load faster
Have you got a throttle lock on that? --'Cause if you don't, mine isn't tuned well enough. :/
damn this is nice.
Um, no, this /is/ a z550, Vin: KZ550B004396. This is a 1982 B series, which was the Eurpoean varient and was never exported to the US. This style had such things like tripple disk brakes, a 'parking' light and a less restrictive emissions setup.
Have a look on wikipedia for a 550 B series, you'll see a picture there.
AHA, thanks for explaining that, i have never seen a 550 with 3 discs, so i was like hahh, but ive never seen it because its a european bike, got it! haha thats sweet, why didnt kawasaki just make all the 550s including the 550 ltd with 3 discs? i want that haha
Hi, love it
That's exactly how my 1980 Zed 550 looked / sounded
I have one exactly the same right now
very nice bike mate ive got 98 cb 500 that wont start up that easy
hmmmm... wouldn't the exhaust be hot before the heads..?
Exhaust would cool down faster.
DONT ever buy a bike that is warm,it has been run
prior because they DONT want you to know it has
starting problems!!!
i would love to have the euro version with the triple discs. i have to say, on cold start, every single 550 i have heard (my own included) sounds like its filled with rocks. that is a very unnerving sound.
Ian Craig I just got a 91 550, and that sound scares the shit out me. I've be scouring the internet finding out why.
Michael Keith the best explanation i habe been given is that the 550 is a very high performance engine. (conside that it does put out a lot of power for its size) and the tolerances are very loose when cold but tighten up when its warm.
Ian Craig damn right it does. I got it up to 165kph today and it had room to spare.
but aside from the speed (which I'm not a speed demon) it's the most nimble bike I've ever owned for a street bike. perfect for the mountain roads.
The sound you Are referring to. is not anything bad. almost all motorcycle from 70 and 80 does that. my kz does it, and the engine is like new inside. my xs750 also do it. and my friend's Suzuki. also do it. I think it can be fixed with some new clutch springs.
Yeh most of these early 4potssounded like a bag of nails untill you twist the throttle it's just a noisey clutch rattling away sounds worse than it is.
this is not a 550. the 550 never had tripple disk brakes.
this is the asian/european spec 550. the US models had the single disc and the drum in the back.
@@poisoNation right on. It's z550 not a kz550
Currently rebuilding one myself. Exhaust sounds really good, what type/where did you get it?
You can just make out the logo, Yoshimura on the side of the pipe. These were specifically designed pipes for this model bike. They came with it when I picked it up and did a rebuild. They're open pipe glass pack and to be honest I don't even know if one can get pipes like this any longer.