TOPIC:

I'm from Sheridan, Wyoming (yes...the one that just got five feet of snow a couple days ago ) and I just bought my first bike today, a 1981 KZ550. It has about 9,400 miles on it and is in excellent condition.

I was looking for something that's not too heavy, not too powerful but without being gutless, has a reasonably low saddle height, and gets good gas mileage. Near as I can tell, this Kawy should fill the bill and then some.

We have some of the best riding in the world out here and I can hardly wait to pick my bike up. Unfortunately, it's going to have to wait another couple days for the road to melt off and dry up a little. In the meantime, I plan on kicking around here and learning as much as I can.

Post edited by: Noah Mercy, at: 2007/04/04 21:48

Welcome and congrats on finding a KZ.
She should fit the bill well.
Be sure to post up some pictures when you get her home.
Have fun and ride safely.

Welcome to the nut house! Hope your stay is long and memorable The first test of your worthiness to be a member is to post pics of your bike, we need picks, must have pics;)

Thanky fellers.

I wish I'd taken a camera when I went to look the bike over...had to kick a flock of wild turkeys and about a dozen whitetail deer out of the way just to get to the guy's garage.

I'll be sure to put some photos up when I get my baby home...if I don't crash and burn coming down the mountain!

...knock on wood!

Welcome to the site! There's a pdf version of the Clymer 550 manual kicking around in the engine section of the forums. Just search for PDF and it should come up.

If it doesn't work, lemme know (PM me) and I'll host it on my web-server for a while. It seems to be working though..

Here - I'll make your life easier --> www.metrovationinc.com/christemple/KZ550.pdf

Welcome aboard! Now.....prepare yourself for what CAN become an obsession.....to some....a few, anyways....

Got a couple of pics tonight. Sorry she's a little dirty, but I rode through a little snowmelt on her maiden voyage today. This bike is everything I could want in a first two-wheeler...it has more power than I thought it would and handles and rides great.







Hmmmmmm...I'm sorry the pics are small. I'm fairly computer illiterate, so maybe someone can give me some tips on how to post bigger ones. (I'm working off Phototbucket if that makes a dif...)

Post edited by: Noah Mercy, at: 2007/04/04 21:36

I'll just try a link so y'all can see the full-size pics.

i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/noahmercy/kawasakibaby003-1.jpg

i12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/noahmercy/kawasakibaby002.jpg

What a beautiful bike!!
I seem to recall a bike "exactly" like that on an ebay auction last week that ended around $900 but didn't meet the reserve...am I warm?

tinyurl.com/yo3l8r

That's the one, in Story, WY eh?
Gorgeous! Nice score!

Woah, Noah!

You did well. That baby looks showroom fresh!

Keep that baby sparkling and you'll enjoy riding it for a long time.

Thanks, tganek! I appreciate the technical assistance.

Neilage66, yup...that be the one. Sorry if I outbid ya' and I sure hope I didn't torque you off. No hard feelings I hope.

Thanks, NONB. I have a tarp on her now, but I'll stitch up a nice custom cover next week so's to keep her looking nice.

Now the horrible part is going to be waiting for the next Novice Rider Course so I can get my motorcycle endorsement. Until then, I can ride it around in my trailer park and get comfortable with the controls...I just can't let it stretch its legs.