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Kz550/GPz550 opinions

Discussion in 'WERA Vintage' started by 90kacoupe, Mar 12, 2017.

  1. 90kacoupe

    90kacoupe Novice seeking Help

    I just picked up a 83 kz550 standard. It needs some work but I plan on getting it ready for track duty. I need to do some reading in the WERA rulebook but it looks like for AHRMA I can run modern 17s and modern conventional forks. The factory front wheel is a 19 and the forks are a little crusty. So I have been looking into a ex500 fork conversion. Any ideas or opinions for the bike?

    Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk
     
  2. CoreyDSFA

    CoreyDSFA GPz550 Addict

    Single Shock rear Bikes(1982 -> GPz550) not allowed in AHRMA Vintage Superbike Classes. No class in AHRMA allows the Single Shock GPz550, you'd have to start with a 1980-1981 twin shock frame and keep it twin shock.
     
  3. Jeff McKinney

    Jeff McKinney Well-Known Member

    That's not a single shock bike.I wouldn't run ex forks.
     
  4. Jeff McKinney

    Jeff McKinney Well-Known Member

    Was gonna say early 90's 600 ninja wheels and ft end,but I think those are 4 piston calipers.Maybe a f2/ f3 or sv650 ft end.
     
  5. Muz720

    Muz720 Well-Known Member

    81 was the last twin shock? Ahrma outlawed the mono shock bike because it was to good! It was a kick ass bike to bad it was so good.
     
  6. 2Big4Bike

    2Big4Bike Well-Known Member

    Even though it is a 1983 model and not a "pre-83" my guess is that it definitely slots into Vintage 5 due to the "Major Components" clause.

    ...and although I'm new to the grid (first outing will be in May at Grattan)...it seems that the WERA Vintage group is more reasonable about the application and intent of class rules. So my advice is...bring it out! Swap the forks and wheels to 17" if you so desire...class specifications for Vintage are found in Chapter 11 of the rulebook.

    Vintage 5
    Pre 1983 2-stroke factory road racers up to 500cc.
    Pre 1983 Production based 2-stroke up to 750cc.
    Pre 1983 4-stroke push rod unlimited displacement.
    Pre 1983 OHC Twins to 1200cc.
    Pre 1983 OHC 2 valves per cylinder to 1200cc.
    Pre 1983 OHC 4 valves per cylinder to 1025cc.
    Among the eligible V5 machines are the following: Ducati F1A and F1B, 750cc limit; Honda CB750F, CBX, CB900F, pre-1986 Honda VF500, VF700, and VF750; Kawasaki KZ750, KZ1000, Z1, GPZ 550/750/1100, EX500, and EX250 without restrictions and regardless of year; Suzuki GS1000, Seeley Suzuki 750, pre-1986 Suzuki GS 750 (no hybrids, i.e., Suzuki GS 1000 motor in a 1985 mono-shock frame), GS 500 (no restrictions); Yamaha FZ600, Seca 550, Seca 750, Virago 980, TZ 750. RZ 350 with maximum displacement of 450cc.

    Component Specifications
    Major components are the engine and frame. Successive year models of the marque are eligible provided that major components are essentially unaltered (like design)...

    Oh, and make sure you bring it up to Grattan! :D

    Regards,
    Chad
     
    Last edited: Apr 16, 2018
  7. Harry V. III

    Harry V. III Well-Known Member

    I'm racing 81 gpz 550 w 17 in wheels. WERA v4 ahrma middle wt. SBK

    See v4 thread. EBoz is building the same bike you have.

    Let me know if you have any questions
     
    Jeff McKinney and 2Big4Bike like this.
  8. Jeff McKinney

    Jeff McKinney Well-Known Member

    It's a v4 bike,mono shock Gpz is legal for v5.You guys are getting kz's and gpz's confused.Last twin shock Gpz 550 was 81.There never was a monoshock kz,last kz I believe was 1984.And its legal under the v4 cutoff because it's a like design.
     
  9. 2Big4Bike

    2Big4Bike Well-Known Member

    The original post states "83 kz550 standard"...to me that sounds like a twin shock...like all kz. Yeah it could be legal for V4 and V5 based on the "Major Components" specifications clause.
     
  10. Muz720

    Muz720 Well-Known Member

    His title though me off. If it's a KZ it's a tiwn shock. Forgot they keep making them. I would say there fairing rare model.
     
  11. Harry V. III

    Harry V. III Well-Known Member

    You sir, are correct. 81 GPz 550 is a stand alone model. V4 is a twin shock class.
     
  12. Outsider V6 V7

    Outsider V6 V7 Well-Known Member

    83 KZ 550 standard
    kz progress 3-19.jpg
     
    joec and 90kacoupe like this.
  13. guzziguy

    guzziguy Well-Known Member

    damn, another one of those kwakers
     
  14. 90kacoupe

    90kacoupe Novice seeking Help

    That thing is looking good! I wish I would have done that. I just don't have the time! Keeping my 2 stroke running has been full time job.
     

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