Editing Kawasaki Z500/Z550
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.
The edit can be undone. Please check the comparison below to verify that this is what you want to do, and then publish the changes below to finish undoing the edit.
| Latest revision | Your text | ||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
This series | This series was a scaled-down version of the Kawasaki KZ750. It used a double-cradle steel ([[Norton]] featherbed-style) frame with a transverse-mounted [[air-cooled]] 4-cylinder engine--a classic [[universal Japanese motorycle]]. This series was replaced by the water-cooled Kawasaki 600R "Ninja" in 1986. | ||
'''Z500/Z550 (KZ550)''' - This was the first of the line, with a 500cc engine, later bored out to 553cc's | '''Z500/Z550 (KZ550)''' - This was the first of the line, with a 500cc engine, later bored out to 553cc's. Early models (1979-1981) had a single [[disk brake]] in the front and a [[drum brake]] in the rear, with a conventional [[swingarm]] using twin [[shock absorbers]]. Later models (1892-1983) had improved brakes (twin disks in the front, with a single disk in the rear) and electronic ignition. | ||
'''ZX550 (GPz550)''' - Introduced in 1981, this was a slightly more aggressive version, with improved brakes, larger valves, more aggressive tuning, and a bikini fairing. A monoshock rear swingarm was introduced in 1983, along with updated bodywork. | '''ZX550 (GPz550)''' - Introduced in 1981, this was a slightly more aggressive version, with improved brakes, larger valves, more aggressive tuning, and a bikini fairing. A monoshock rear swingarm was introduced in 1983, along with updated bodywork. | ||
| Line 7: | Line 7: | ||
'''Living with the Z500/Z550''' These make excellent city bikes, very easy to manage at parking speeds and very agile in urban traffic. They have safe, neutral, tossable handling and a flexible engine, making them fun to drive without being too intimidating for first-time riders. These machines are also very easy to work on, with ample engine access, a simple electrical system, and a very reliable drivetrain. | '''Living with the Z500/Z550''' These make excellent city bikes, very easy to manage at parking speeds and very agile in urban traffic. They have safe, neutral, tossable handling and a flexible engine, making them fun to drive without being too intimidating for first-time riders. These machines are also very easy to work on, with ample engine access, a simple electrical system, and a very reliable drivetrain. | ||
Early models suffered from inadequate brakes and bad clutch cable routing; these issues were resolved with the twin-disk models, which also featured a simplified clutch cable and electronic ignition. | |||
[[Category:Kawasaki motorcycles|Z500]] | |||
{{motorcycle-stub}} | {{motorcycle-stub}} | ||