First Post chain drive to shaft drive

Hello, I have a 1982 550 A2 that I've had for many years that is in bad shape. The engine has run recently but did have water in cylinder 4. I also recently bought a 550 c thinking I could use some of the parts for swap. The c is probably the best bet for rebuild honestly but the A2 was my first bike. I got it when I was in the Marine Corps in 1983 and it has been following me around ever since. Anyway, I got eh C thinking I could swap the engine out if I needed to. Well the C is a shaft drive and I'm wondering about swapping the engine and drive. Would that be possible without major mods or am I looking at cutting and welding to make it work? Alternatively, could I simply swap the engine out? 

Welcome from the UK

550c = Ltd chain drive. 550f/m = shaft drive; spectre or Ltd-shaft. 

LTD Shaft drive I guess. As I said, I'm new. Thanks for the clarification.

Welcome in!

The chain drive chassis is not designed for a shaft drive setup.  The pivot is too narrow to accommodate the driveshaft and is set up for a through-bolt pivot that is not possible with a shaft drive swingarm.

You may be able to reuse the top-end from the shafty engine on your A2 though.

Either way, it won’t be simple.

Later, Doug

Thanks Doug, I might have to get the LTD going then work on the a2. I did misspeak. The A2 is an 81 and the LTD is an 83. I'm sure this doesn't change things as far as the swap though. Looks like I have two projects rather than one. Thanks for the info! I'll be back asking more questions as this process proceeds.

sKZballs wrote:

Thanks Doug, I might have to get the LTD going then work on the a2. I did misspeak. The A2 is an 81 and the LTD is an 83. I'm sure this doesn't change things as far as the swap though. Looks like I have two projects rather than one. Thanks for the info! I'll be back asking more questions as this process proceeds.

I would suggest tackling them one at a time unless you have a significant budget and strong control of your metal wellbeing

sKZballs wrote:

LTD Shaft drive I guess. ... the LTD is an 83.

partzilla. 1983 KZ550-M1 Ltd Shaft. www.partzilla.com/catalog/kawasaki/motor...3/ltd-shaft-kz550-m1 . closest match is probably the 1984 kz550-F2. there's also an 83 spectre F1 shaft but it's gold and black. side note. kawasaki kind of messed up the model lettering. seems like the spectre should have been the M1 and the Ltds should have been the F1/F2. or vice versa w F1 spectre and M1/M2 Ltd. edit. but a lot of parts are probably interchangeable. the colors don't matter. haha .

Thanks H1. I'm kinda glad it won't work. I'll have to start on the LTD to get my hands dirty and it seems like a much easier project. The A2 is kind of a basket case. Once I get the LTD running I can dive into it with more knowledge and experience.