Brought mine new in 1983, still remember the Reg Y 19 -V- . Best bike i ever had, miss it to this day. Whish i still had it. I use to keep up and out handle my friends GS1000. Those were the days.
Thank you for sharing. Have had issue with my 550 GPz for a while now and I have #32 jets installed. Will take 'em out and measure them to make sure that the #37.5 I found will fit and try that.
Hi, mint GPZed as we say in England ! I'm just sorting the carbs on my 9 previous owner ZXR750 restoration. Scary at first but after a few on and offs not too bad. Top tip about connecting the throttle cables before you put the carbs back on the bike. I definitely need a vacuum gauge though.
Back in the day, before places like "jets-r-us" the Kawasaki Mechanics would use a drill and go up a thou or two in jet size. Nice bike ...that was my third Kawasaki at the time.
Should raise the needle .050 and snip a coil on the spring. Drilling the vacuum hole a size larger in the throttle slides too. Done it hundreds of times.
Interesting! I’m fighting this too. Hard to grap your head around when everything is stock and all you did was cleaning everyting. What wacuum holes are you drilling?
Just got the same bike off of Craigslist. Trying to get to the carburetor. But the air filter box and battery box are in the way. You sped through that part of your video. Anyway you could send me that part of your video slowed down?
I have an 82 like that that I’m trying to get back on the road. Where did you get their NOS boots for the carbs? By the way thanks for showing this, and anything else you can do with the GPZ. Also, what form board do you like that has the best community?
Thanks for Sharing your classic with us. Recently converted same bike to cafe racer after saving it from the scrap heap. 2 year project and happy with the outcome except she runs a bit lean and hot. Im about to purchase jet kit from Dynojet and upsize the main jet. Could you please tell me what size main jet you went to after installing pods. Sorry if you have already mentioned it the video. Cheers.
Helpful video! Just picked up an '83 GPZ 550 with a similar problem. The carbs were all rebuilt recently and there are no vacuum leaks. Before taking them apart and getting into the pilot jets, I'm trying to figure out how to tighten the idle adjustment knob - it seems really loose. My bike has the stock airbox and the idle adjuster bends out and to the side so the knob is easy to reach near the choke, but it looks like I won't be able to get to where it connects to the carbs without taking the carbs off completely...
Taking off the carbs is pretty easy...after you do it dozens of times its like falling off a bike....EASY! Do you have a pic of the idle screw? I can take a look at it.
@@osggarage5575 Thanks. Here are a couple of photos. The first one you can see the idle adjuster knob on the lower right: 1drv.ms/u/s!Ag_yXRxeAHT_hcAuN9eiSon32P9W0Q The second pic shows behind the carbs, and you can see where the stalk for the knob curves back up between carbs 2 &3: 1drv.ms/u/s!Ag_yXRxeAHT_hcAwWW_gBOD9E8_h1Q It seems like if I open the throttle really fast it will stick open a bit, and I have to keep adjusting the knob to lower it.
I had a GPZ 750 and I’ve rebuilt those carbs and line the gas tank several times almost to the point where I could do it in my sleep the problem I was having was that it was following out the spark plugs after so many miles never did figure out what the real problem was but I suspect possibly valve problems even the dealership couldn’t figure it out they kept telling me it was dirt getting into the carbs
I did change the mains up as well as the needle. I used this kit from dynojet. www.dynojet.com/jet-kit-for-1984-1985-kawasaki-gpz550-2112/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwn7j2BRDrARIsAHJkxmyqZ-deUbXvY5BPmSkSt7ogGFvOeunhb1a8CU-oJQeaF92lDeGMndwaAmVJEALw_wcB
Where did you find your cam shaft seals/half moon seals? I’ve ordered 2 different kinds and they’re both TOO SMALL I can’t find them ANYWHERE, I’m very frustrated
Hola , buen día, es bueno ver tu vídeo me ayudó a conocer más mi moto GPZ,550cc 1982, bueno necesito ayuda, para encontrar un plástico derecho, tapa de batería !!, Y reparar los carburadores pues tiene 2 diafragmas pinchado y 2 esperas de gas quebradas, gracias por tu atención muchas gracias
Hi there. So a friend of mine is selling me his GPZ 550 for $550. It runs well and was fully restored however there is a loud tapping from the top end. Compression is good on all cylinders. Any ideas on what this could be? If I were to buy a new head is it easy to replace? This would be my first bike and first ever time working on one
Hard to tell with the sound could be. Before you pull the head off if you just strip off the valve covers you’ll be able to see if there’s any damage anywhere. If it has good compression and it runs that’s half the battle. For that price you could part it out and make money! There are parts available to rebuild the head. If you find a decent machine shop it shouldn’t be too bad of a job to do. The worst part is getting the timing right when you put the head back on.
Everybody seems to think that engineers are stupid, putting airboxes on carburetors, instead of cute lil K&N's. If you knew how much thinking there is in an airbox design, you would leave it alone for sure.
TAKE your time when you take the carburettors apart,, dont just pull them apart ,, do it carefully take your time you will find you will not brake things that way !!!!!
My first street bike. I was 18 and bought it brand spanking new from the local Kawasaki dealer. It looked just like yours. I loved that 1982 GPZ550.
It's so beautiful. Aged much better than the UT.
Brought mine new in 1983, still remember the Reg Y 19 -V- . Best bike i ever had, miss it to this day. Whish i still had it. I use to keep up and out handle my friends GS1000. Those were the days.
Thank you for sharing. Have had issue with my 550 GPz for a while now and I have #32 jets installed. Will take 'em out and measure them to make sure that the #37.5 I found will fit and try that.
One of the best bikes ever!
Fantastic looking GPZ, it's always self satisfying when you can get your bike running abit better.
Hi, mint GPZed as we say in England !
I'm just sorting the carbs on my 9 previous owner ZXR750 restoration.
Scary at first but after a few on and offs not too bad.
Top tip about connecting the throttle cables before you put the carbs back on the bike.
I definitely need a vacuum gauge though.
Back in the day, before places like "jets-r-us" the Kawasaki Mechanics would use a drill and go up a thou or two in jet size.
Nice bike ...that was my third Kawasaki at the time.
Super clean bike... Brings back memories.
Thanks…I love this thing!
Should raise the needle .050 and snip a coil on the spring. Drilling the vacuum hole a size larger in the throttle slides too. Done it hundreds of times.
Interesting! I’m fighting this too. Hard to grap your head around when everything is stock and all you did was cleaning everyting. What wacuum holes are you drilling?
@@renejakobsen7444 The throttle slide hole gets enlarged. It increases throttle response.
Really glad to see a video from you . Where do you live dude . I want to buy a kawasaki gpz550
Just got the same bike off of Craigslist. Trying to get to the carburetor. But the air filter box and battery box are in the way. You sped through that part of your video. Anyway you could send me that part of your video slowed down?
That was my first bike in 1984. I got a nice looking one that was custom painted by Temple City Kawasaki .. Cal.
A Fantastic Bike.. !
I have an 82 like that that I’m trying to get back on the road. Where did you get their NOS boots for the carbs? By the way thanks for showing this, and anything else you can do with the GPZ. Also, what form board do you like that has the best community?
Nice job and explanation 👍
THis when bikes were real bike, no rider aids, no abs, no traction control, no computers, just you and the machine.
Thanks for Sharing your classic with us. Recently converted same bike to cafe racer after saving it from the scrap heap. 2 year project and happy with the outcome except she runs a bit lean and hot. Im about to purchase jet kit from Dynojet and upsize the main jet. Could you please tell me what size main jet you went to after installing pods. Sorry if you have already mentioned it the video. Cheers.
I pretty much just went with the Dynojet Stage 2 kit. I’m going to have to dig up what the sizes in the kit where.
I basically used this kit. www.dynojet.com/jet-kit-for-kawasaki-gpz550/
Helpful video! Just picked up an '83 GPZ 550 with a similar problem. The carbs were all rebuilt recently and there are no vacuum leaks. Before taking them apart and getting into the pilot jets, I'm trying to figure out how to tighten the idle adjustment knob - it seems really loose. My bike has the stock airbox and the idle adjuster bends out and to the side so the knob is easy to reach near the choke, but it looks like I won't be able to get to where it connects to the carbs without taking the carbs off completely...
Taking off the carbs is pretty easy...after you do it dozens of times its like falling off a bike....EASY! Do you have a pic of the idle screw? I can take a look at it.
@@osggarage5575 Thanks. Here are a couple of photos. The first one you can see the idle adjuster knob on the lower right: 1drv.ms/u/s!Ag_yXRxeAHT_hcAuN9eiSon32P9W0Q
The second pic shows behind the carbs, and you can see where the stalk for the knob curves back up between carbs 2 &3: 1drv.ms/u/s!Ag_yXRxeAHT_hcAwWW_gBOD9E8_h1Q
It seems like if I open the throttle really fast it will stick open a bit, and I have to keep adjusting the knob to lower it.
@@osggarage5575 Any good advice on puting the airbox back on? It looks like PITA to me. A wrestling match.
I had a GPZ 750 and I’ve rebuilt those carbs and line the gas tank several times almost to the point where I could do it in my sleep the problem I was having was that it was following out the spark plugs after so many miles never did figure out what the real problem was but I suspect possibly valve problems even the dealership couldn’t figure it out they kept telling me it was dirt getting into the carbs
Hi, thanks for sharing. I was wondering if you changed, modified, or "jetted" any other parts of the carbs?
I did change the mains up as well as the needle. I used this kit from dynojet.
www.dynojet.com/jet-kit-for-1984-1985-kawasaki-gpz550-2112/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwn7j2BRDrARIsAHJkxmyqZ-deUbXvY5BPmSkSt7ogGFvOeunhb1a8CU-oJQeaF92lDeGMndwaAmVJEALw_wcB
Hi bro . Do you have still this beauty ?
Where could I get a gpz 550 restored? I’m in Brooklyn
Where did you find your cam shaft seals/half moon seals? I’ve ordered 2 different kinds and they’re both TOO SMALL I can’t find them ANYWHERE, I’m very frustrated
I was on a fzr600 and I could not keep what a machine
what size main jet do you have ?
Hi dude . I love kawasaki ❤️
Do you need that cap
Hola , buen día, es bueno ver tu vídeo me ayudó a conocer más mi moto GPZ,550cc 1982, bueno necesito ayuda, para encontrar un plástico derecho, tapa de batería !!, Y reparar los carburadores pues tiene 2 diafragmas pinchado y 2 esperas de gas quebradas, gracias por tu atención muchas gracias
Carb diaphragms are tough to find. Again, I would look on eBay for things you might need.
Hi there. So a friend of mine is selling me his GPZ 550 for $550. It runs well and was fully restored however there is a loud tapping from the top end. Compression is good on all cylinders. Any ideas on what this could be? If I were to buy a new head is it easy to replace? This would be my first bike and first ever time working on one
Hard to tell with the sound could be. Before you pull the head off if you just strip off the valve covers you’ll be able to see if there’s any damage anywhere. If it has good compression and it runs that’s half the battle. For that price you could part it out and make money! There are parts available to rebuild the head. If you find a decent machine shop it shouldn’t be too bad of a job to do. The worst part is getting the timing right when you put the head back on.
Everybody seems to think that engineers are stupid, putting airboxes on carburetors, instead of cute lil K&N's. If you knew how much thinking there is in an airbox design, you would leave it alone for sure.
Needs a Yoshimura pipe and cams....
love to find a pipe for it...Kerker would work as well.
Where did you get your replacement jets??
Thanks
jetsrus.com
Estoy restaurando mi moto gpz550 y faltan piezas podrías ayudarme ?
Not sure that I have too many parts to share. Have you tried looking on eBay?
TAKE your time when you take the carburettors apart,, dont just pull them apart ,, do it carefully take your time you will find you will not brake things that way !!!!!
Reply please