Topic: Kawasaki 550 LTD

[mmtsquid]

Well, over the past year both myself and my father in law have found old bikes for cheap, done our own wrenching, and now have great rides that didn't break the bank.  Alas, my poor brother in law was jealous, and decided that he wanted one as well.
In the spirit of Christmas, the father in law found an 82 550 LTD, not running, for $250 and drug it home.
Spark? Check.
Compression? Check.
So time to take off the carbs...........filthy!  Just as expected.
5 hours later, after a good cleaning, the carbs go back on and..........
VOILA!  The bike purrs like a kitten.
A year ago I would have had no idea how to get this thing running, but after all of the help I've received on this forum, it was no big deal.
Thanks everyone - I now get to give my brother in law a REALLY cool Christmas present!

[dusterdude]

way back then a friend of mine had a 440 ltd,that was one nice bike,rode like a dream.

[mmtsquid]

I was REALLY suprised at how smooth this thing is - in fact, it's a good bit smoother than my beloved 550K!
I'm curious to see which is faster...........

[dusterdude]

does the 550 have the belt drive like the 440 did?

[mmtsquid]

Nope, it's a chain.
And for the record, I don't ever want to hear anyone on this forum complain about taking off/installing CB550/750 carbs.
The carbs on this bike were MUCH WORSE!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dusterdude]

oh darn,on both accounts

[cb650]

Yes these carbs are a #$%*.  Did them on a 86.  Was a cool bike. Shaftie though.  Have a pic of it but I'm to dumb to figure out how to post it.



                         Terry

[KB02]

The little 550 I had for a while was a nice bike. I never really got it out of my neighborhood, but with the test rides I took around my nieghborhood, the bike ran really well and smooth and had great power for a 550.

[mmtsquid]

Well, we gave him the bike yesterday and he was THRILLED!
We took turns riding it down the road, and while the Kawa is REALLY smooth, I'm convinced my CB550 will run circles around it.