GPz550D1

[RUDDY]

Not sure if you lads with your big bikes would be interested in this tiddler, if not I understand.

Had this since last March and done nothing to it, nearly sold it but have decided to strip it and see if its upto a restore, I had forgotten how much I hate seized bolts.

Plan is to get it apart and look in the engine before I go into any expense on the frame etc as it was bought as a non runner.

Cheers, Paul

[paul doran]

its a zed of course We are interested
in fact there are a few of these bikes owned by Club Members
keep Us updated on Your progress

[Z1B Alan]

Had a Z550 myself keep the pictures coming.

[DaveZ1]

Any Z is a good Z!.. Hope the motor issue isnt so bad that it puts you off,
remember there aint much that cant be fixed with the right help!

[Ginger Bear]

Good luck with this, hopefully the motor issue will be something simple.

[PJ]

Keep the pics coming, spring is only round the corner!

[Andy M]

I remember when they came out, thought they were brilliant, not seen one for years.

[ADRIAN H]

Good lock. That 550 is a lovely bike have some good memories on pne of them.

[Crofty]

I had one, exactly the same. My first Kawasaki, have had 5 more Kawasakis since that one. Very capable bike. Keep posting

[coldsummer]

I like the little 550 GPZ's too, in fact I bought one off Frank last year 'just needed a new battery' but that's another story.

[RUDDY]

Cheers guys, one part that niggles me thats missing is the rear half of the plastic mudguard, the front half is really good, still with the factory sticker on.

I guess back in the day a lot of peiple chopped them to shorten them as well, I'm missing the rear indicators as well, were these fitted to the rear guard or the frame ?

All the best, Paul

[Zardos]

I've found the Son of ELR.

I'm keen to see what you will do with yours.

[RUDDY]

Well today I got all the loom labelled up and removed from the frame, carbs off and airbox out, also got clocks, bars and light out of the way.

Engine wise, I used to work with Rob Fisher who was very succesful riding sidecars on the TT, spoke to Rob today and I will drop the engine with him to do an initial appraisal before we sink money into the project.

Checked the frame number against logbook and it matches, maybe I should have done that when I bought it





Cheers, Paul

[RUDDY]

Well got all the bolts out until I came to the last one, long bolt under the back of the engine, it wasn't for coming out without a fight.

Anyway rather than risk snapping it and as I have no means of heating it I took the engine in the frame up to Rob Fishers, hopefully they can get oxy acetylene to the captive end and get the bolt out.

I will then pick the frame up while Rob checks out the engine, the frame needs a little work before blasting/powder coating, there are a few snapped threads that need drilling out.

Cheers, Paul

[Baldylocks]

Hi Ruddy, I'm going to guess that RuddyTR7 is you on Retro Rides too with the Superb resto on the TR7 V8? if that resto is anything to go by your GPz550 will be one very sweet bike.

Cheers