GPZ550 82H1 - THUNDERSTRUCK

[Gosling1]

Nice - there are some good cafe-racer seats here as well mate

[the kid]

Noice Always liked the idea of a XS650 tracker

[Slow and wobbly]

Looking for something that will match the boxy lines of the tank. Reckon the XR750 flat track seat comes very close.

[Gosling1]

.....Noice Always liked the idea of a XS650 tracker.....

You have seen the pics of the one my mate Pete built here a few years ago ?? Recently sold it to a guy from Sydney for about $9 large

Best XS650 tracker I have ever seen.....





That tracker was built with all the best bits we could find in the US. Omar's supplied a lot of the parts. The tank held *just* enough fuel to do 1 loop from Pete's place down to the old Cotter pub and then back home - last 100m was on fumes rolling into the driveway !

[the kid]

Nice Gos , worth 9 Gorrillas easy . Just what I would like .

[Slow and wobbly]

Amidst some pretty serious storm activity with lights flickering and thunder cracking and rolling project "Thunderstruck" coughed into life. fumbling for breath, it found its voice and howled back at the angry sky with an almighty roar. The Devil cowered.
With spanner held aloft to the stormy skies with lighting cracking I proclaimed " It's ALIVE!!"
After so long idle the lust for the afterlife is strong in this one.

Unleash the dogs of hell! We shall laugh at them and this bastard child will eat them whole!




Ok a bit dramatic but thats what I thought at the time.
Got a bit of a carb problem and is running stinky rich even after a good clean...the backfiring and throaty snarl of the cv's added to the drama lol.
Engine sounds solid and all electics work but switches need cleaning, intermittent contact probs but otherwise all good.
Fork seals should be in tomorrow.....Gos Have you got a manual for this thing? I have been through all mine and only have a parts catalogue....any idea on fork oil capacity or air gap?
Will have a crack at the front brakes tomorrow. If no luck then theres a genuine set on the auction site for $10 with calipers or chase down the CBR MC.
Get RWC and Reg then the grinder comes out. MWWAAHHHAHHAHA.

Thunderstruck it shall be

[Gosling1]

I think I have mate, will have a dig in the library tomorrow arvo and check the specs. I *think* they are about 130cc per leg from memory ?

stand by......

[Slow and wobbly]

I ggogled up and found 247cc.
I'd trust your memory before I trusted the seppo forums.

While I have your attention....ever seen anyone delete the Uni suspension?
Appears to be very convoluted......got a few mono shocks about and I reckon a 9 shock would look the goods if I delete the linkages leaving room for a tidy battery box.

[aardvark]

That photo of the "inspiration" is awesome!! Make it like that, and I'll swap you a LC for it....

[Slow and wobbly]

It WILL be better than that...that pic is still just a mock up....where is the battery? Why not re-engineer for modern equipment?
I seriously looked at spending 22 very large gorillas on a "stylish" Ducati in the last few years. Bugger it I'm building my my own and its a bulletproof K.
Once I finish the KH125 --- waiting on parts - then I am through with the stinkwheels. Generous offer but you can keep the bloody LC. Fond memories of Yamaha LC's. My second bike....The first bike that ever sent me broke with three rebuilds and in the end was traded to the next poor sap for a case of liquid inspiration. Never looked too fondly on them ever again.

This build is the one I have been searching for....it will be the good un.

[Six Addict]

go wobbles!!

[the kid]

then I am through with the stinkwheels.

PUSSY !

[Slow and wobbly]

No fork seals delivered today ------ there is a parts suplier on ebay that advertises as available from Australia but dropships out of the UK and it shits me that the parts are advertised as available and ready for delivery but you need to wait 7 days for delivery from the bloody UK. May as well cut out the middle man and go direct to the source. I recently had parts delivered from WEMOTO in the UK in 3 days.

Anyway I digress. Pulled down the front end in anticipation of the seals arriving. This progressed to cleaning and then onto painting and polishing bits and pieces.
Cleaned the chain and sprockets last night and aside from some minor surface rust on a couple of side plates of the chain they are as good as new. Leads me to think that after this thing had alot of money thrown at it and cleaned up for rego in approx 2002 it has not done much work since.
The brake lines are still original and I'm thinking of replacing them but to do that then I need to change the front to clip ons now with lights and switches etc to avoid purchasing them twice....the conundrum begins. Do I just put it back together and get it registered or do I do the mods now and then cross fingers that everything passes with Vicroads?
Hmmmm its been a long day....best have another can of inspiration and let the mind wander while I stare at it some more.
Pics are coming not much to show.

[Slow and wobbly]

Some ideas.

[Slow and wobbly]

Best go to work this week....the shopping list has grown.
Have stripped and cleaned the carbs as thoroughly as I can another 2 times today and some improvement but they relly need new kits through them. Theres a complete bank of carbs going for $50 though so I might just grab them and see how I go. These carbs are wornand I have noticed that all the ckoke slides are sloppy and dont close properly unless each one is pushed back into place.
The Whiz Bang Pacman LCD screen in the centre of the dash is on its last legs. It works but the red LCD panel that gives warning lights for oil, sidestand and the battery has faded and the flashing red LCD screen can barely be seen. So Acewell unit on the shopping list.
All of the electrics work as the should but some of the connections are fragile and dont like being disturbed. Cleaned all the switches and they work fine but a couple of the block connectors have been handled by gorrilas in the past and give intermittent faults.
Few questions for those that are knowledgeable with these old jiggers.
Aside from the oil filter is there a screen that is easily accessible for cleaning? I let go the grease that was once oil...
Anybody know the valve clearance specs and when removing this older style of cam cover do you start from the inside out or outside in with the bolt sequence? I guess inside out but worth asking before I put camshafts on the list.
The Headers wont really clean up too well so if anyone knows what other Z I can flog some from I'd appreciate your input. For the interim I'm going to wrap them put that may just expediate the rotting proccess depending on which camp you subscribe to. I like the look and it will the suit the cafe / fighter look I'm going for.
Clipons, Switchgear, levers, reservoir, twin side by side lights and the Acewell guage should complete the front end...
Then theres the engine. 615cc sounds good. For anyone that knows, aside from the boring does the engine need any further mod in terms of the bottom end, clutch or rods to cater for the increase in bore? Being a child of the early 80's made by Kawasaki I suspect that it doesn't but might be worthwhile. When I crack the head off it and find some suspect looking valves ( I suspect some to be worn or burnt ) What are they options in terms of same or better from other models? - I am budgeting $2k for the engine and would like a VERY strong and reliable engine that snots all over the original. 80-85 RWHP obtainable or am I dreaming?
Oil cooler...A few of the fins have been punched in but its still sound. What other options could I pursue in terms of aftermarket oil coolers - simply for asthetics. And since I've never owned an oil cooled bike do they have a thermastat like a WC or is it just a continuous loop?

Oh and for anyone that is following along but has never actually worked on bikes - or works on them but has limited knowledge, ability and tools, FOR FUCK SAKE USE THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB AND IF YOU CANT DO IT PROPERLY THEN DONT EVEN TRY! So many rounded heads and chewed out screws from the past 30 years of hacks. Drill, weld, heat, file, swear kick the bastard - thats been my day. LOL.

Anyway. I'm not fucking about on this one and nothing bodgey. Money will be spent wisely and it will be a quality finish when done...sooner rather than later. I expect somewhere in the order of 6-8K $$. But it will be a keeper.
Still no pics - everyone has seen an almost dismanteled pile of scrap metal. LOL Pics as it comes together.