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1981 Kawasaki GPz550: Restoration

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    Is there a thread which lists current motorcycle make & models which come equipped with SH775s. The Ebay SH775 you linked looks weather worn, probably works fine though. Second does the SH775 bolt mounting spacing line up with the Kawasaki R&R bolt mounting spacing?
    1979 GS1000E (44 Yrs), 1981 GPz550
    Departed: 1970 Yamaha R5A, 1971 R5B, 1975 Honda XL250, 1983 Suzuki PE175, 1983 CB1100F, 1983 BMW R100RS, 1992 ST1100

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      Originally posted by srsupertrap View Post
      Is there a thread which lists current motorcycle make & models which come equipped with SH775s. The Ebay SH775 you linked looks weather worn, probably works fine though. Second does the SH775 bolt mounting spacing line up with the Kawasaki R&R bolt mounting spacing?
      The SH775 is quite a bit larger than the typical OEM shunt type R/R. It won't directly interchange, but it's a big step up in terms of more modern technology.
      Ed

      To measure is to know.

      Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

      Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

      Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

      KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

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        SH775's are OEM on Polaris side-by-side 4 wheelers. That is why they have mud on them!
        At least that shows the ATV was running at the time it was wrecked!
        1981 GS850G "Blue Magic" (Bike Of The Month April 2009)

        1981 GS1000G "Leo" (Bike Of The Month August 2023)

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          Thanks Ed & 2Bracing for SH775 detail. I have to read up on SH775s because I am behind the times but then again I like older motorcycles. Since I already own a 82 GPz550 R&R which is the same design as the 81 model but has a different connector/ terminals. I placed a EBay order for 1/4" brass male connectors (China) and a crimper and will retrofit the 82 R&R and see if it regulates VDC.

          Mean time I sent out the V&H exhaust for media blasting. Removed the baffle and found rust on the outside of the fiberglass packing. Blasting resulted in pin holes in the muffler. Diffuser can had rust holes also requiring repair. Header was pitted but solid. Here are those pics of the process:

          [/IMG]
          BTW what adhesive would you use to reattach the V&H logo? The old adhesive was very thin, flexible and black

          [/IMG]

          [/IMG]

          The guy blasting tried his hand at welding a cover, not much material led to the following or he didn't know what he was doing. On the underside, street facing

          [/IMG]

          No experience with V&H muffler packing so I removed about half of the fiberglass. For those who know add more?

          [/IMG]

          Plan to install this when oil filter change is due.
          Last edited by srsupertrap; 08-19-2018, 11:47 AM.
          1979 GS1000E (44 Yrs), 1981 GPz550
          Departed: 1970 Yamaha R5A, 1971 R5B, 1975 Honda XL250, 1983 Suzuki PE175, 1983 CB1100F, 1983 BMW R100RS, 1992 ST1100

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            Any end of summer updates? How's the bike running now?

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              The GPz is running really good, starts rights up, charges and the Mikuni smoothbores carbureate well even at altitude. The GPz is a joy to ride around town because its so much lighter than my GS1000. I am still getting used to the GPz gearing which seems like it could use a 7th gear for highway riding. Overall its a runner again instead of a garage project. Still have to replace a fork leg seal, winterize it etc. I did change the oil at around 75 miles.

              I got this C/L link from Corey, 1982 GPz550 in your neck of the woods titled "$2,500.00 Bassani Exhaust". Looks to be a safety wired GPz550. Cheers

              1979 GS1000E (44 Yrs), 1981 GPz550
              Departed: 1970 Yamaha R5A, 1971 R5B, 1975 Honda XL250, 1983 Suzuki PE175, 1983 CB1100F, 1983 BMW R100RS, 1992 ST1100

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                This one's a little closer, and cheaper. Right next door to me in fact, if you're at all interested in another one?
                Roger

                Current rides
                1983 GS 850G
                2003 FJR 1300A
                Gone but not forgotten 1985 Rebel 250, 1991 XT225, 2004 KLR650, 1981 GS850G, 1982 GS1100GL, 2002 DL1000, 2005 KLR650, 2003 KLX400

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                  I had a 83 gpz550h1 my first 4 stroke bike and a ypvs yam killer what a brilliant bike love gpz kwaks

                  Comment


                    Originally posted by rgstu View Post
                    ...83 gpz550h1...what a brilliant bike love gpz kwaks
                    Cycle World called the GPz550 the first production bike that could be raced completely stock, right out of the box.

                    Writing about the 1981 GS1100E Suzuki, they said, "it didn't create the visual excitement of a Kawasaki GPz..."
                    1982 GS1100E V&H "SS" exhaust, APE pods, 1150 oil cooler, 140 speedo, 99.3 rear wheel HP, black engine, '83 red

                    2016 XL883L sigpic Two-tone blue and white. Almost 42 hp! Status: destroyed, now owned by the insurance company. The hole in my memory starts an hour before the accident and ends 24 hours after.

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                      I read in Motorcycle Classics recently, the Honda VF500F Interceptor ended the GPz550 box stock racing domination.
                      1979 GS1000E (44 Yrs), 1981 GPz550
                      Departed: 1970 Yamaha R5A, 1971 R5B, 1975 Honda XL250, 1983 Suzuki PE175, 1983 CB1100F, 1983 BMW R100RS, 1992 ST1100

                      Comment


                        I road raced a VF500F Interceptor several times in the 750 production class..and got on the podium every time. Those babies are sweet..they haul a$$ and they handle like they're on rails. I would embarrass the 750s in the tight stuff, and they could just nip me down the straights. Amazing bikes to this day.
                        1979 GS1000S,

                        1982 Honda CX500 Turbo, 1982 Honda MB5 w/CR80 motor, 1977 Honda "nekid" Goldwing, 1976 Honda CB550F cafe', 1972 Honda XL250 cafe'

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