TOPIC:

rstnick wrote:

What else did the 550's from 80-83 share, to a degree, with the 650/750s?

Did the engine cases get shared and such?
I know some are trying to swap in a 550's 6 speed into a 650.

Valve shims.
Probably Air-Suction-System ports on the valve cover.
I think the crankcase vent covers were the same.
Almost all ignition parts are swappable to some degree.
Ignition-side-covers depending on what years and ignition type.
-Timing specs may be different
-Coils may have slightly different mount spacing
Some Regulator/Rectifier parts may be modified to be swappable depending on year.
Oil filters and related parts
Transmission parts to some degree (Steell is the one to ask.)


Items that NOT interchangeable but look close:
Starters are different.
Almost all other motor parts, (that I can think of) are different.
Alternators and covers are different.
Oil pans and oil-cooler attachment are different.
Exhaust is different (If I recall correctly.)

Thanks Lou.

When looking at some of the later model 550's, the engine cases looked similar, so I thought maybe Maw Kaw started to use a standard engine case for the 550/650/750.

Which models exactly would that be since I do not know which ones have timing advancer when I buy off Ebay.

Kz440, 550, 650, & 750? Which years?

steell wrote:

Any of the igniters from four cylinder KZ's with a timing advancer (mechanical advance) should work, you may have to cut and splice the plug though.

I think the first KZ's with electronic ignition were some 1980 models. The 80 750 four I'm positive did, and the 80 750 twin didn't, and neither did the 80 KZ650F.

You can also make your own igniter, the instructions are ay Loudhvx's website.

www.geocities.com/loudgpz/

elcid wrote:

Which models exactly would that be since I do not know which ones have timing advancer when I buy off Ebay.

Kz440, 550, 650, & 750? Which years?

steell wrote:

Any of the igniters from four cylinder KZ's with a timing advancer (mechanical advance) should work, you may have to cut and splice the plug though.

I think the first KZ's with electronic ignition were some 1980 models. The 80 750 four I'm positive did, and the 80 750 twin didn't, and neither did the 80 KZ650F.

You can also make your own igniter, the instructions are ay Loudhvx's website.

www.geocities.com/loudgpz/

It matters which models too. The easiest way is to look at it. The ones for electronic advance are the small boxes, about 3" by 3" and are a little smaller than a regulator/rectifier unit. The electronic advance models used a much larger igniter box.

On the 550:
The 1980 to 1982 kz550C (LTD)
The 1981 kz550D (gpz)
The 1982 to 1983 kz550H (gpz)
The 1981 to 1982 (possibly 1983) kz550A (standard)

They almost all look like this one, but some of the 1980 or older ones may look slightly different.