Kawasaki ZX550A GPZ550: review, history, specs

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Gpz550.jpg
Kawasaki GPZ550
Manufacturer
Also called GPZ550
Production 1984 - 1988
Class Sport touring
Engine
550cc in-line four, four-stroke
Bore / Stroke 58.0mm x 52.4mm
Compression ratio 9.5:1
Top Speed 122 mph (196 km/h)
Horsepower 63.56 HP (47.4 KW) @ 10500RPM
Torque 35.4 ft/lbs (48.0 Nm) @ 8000RPM
Fuel System Carburetors
Spark Plug NGK DP9EA-9 '84-85
Battery YUASA SYB12A-A '84-85
Transmission Gear box: 6-speed
Final Drive: chain
Final Drive Chain: 520x104
Front Sprocket 16T
Rear Sprocket 38T
Suspension Front: Telescopic fork
Rear: Swingarm
Brakes Front: dual disc
Rear: single disc
Front Tire 100/90-18
Rear Tire 120/80-18
Weight 209.0 kg (wet)
Oil Filter K&N KN-401[1]
Recommended Oil K-tech 10W-40
Fuel Capacity 4.76 Gallon (18.00 Liters)
Manuals Service Manual


The Kawasaki GPZ550 was a in-line four, four-stroke Sport touring motorcycle produced by Kawasaki between 1981 and 1990. It could reach a top speed of 122 mph (196 km/h). Max torque was 35.4 ft/lbs (48.0 Nm) @ 8000 RPM. Claimed horsepower was 63.56 HP (47.4 KW) @ 10500 RPM.

Engine[edit | edit source]

The engine was a air cooled in-line four, four-stroke. A 58.0mm bore x 52.4mm stroke result in a displacement of just 553.0 cubic centimeters. Fuel was supplied via a double overhead cams/twin cam (dohc).

Drive[edit | edit source]

The bike has a 6-speed transmission.

Chassis[edit | edit source]

It came with a 100/90-18 front tire and a 120/80-18 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via dual disc in the front and a single disc in the rear. The front suspension was a Telescopic fork while the rear was equipped with a Swingarm. The GPZ550 was fitted with a 4.76 Gallon (18.00 Liters) fuel tank.


History[edit | edit source]

The ZX550A was marketed in the US as the Kawasaki GPz550.

Kawasaki's first GPz550 of 1981 was not only the half-pint brother to the firm's GPz1100 muscle bike, it was also a mould-breaking machine in its own right. Until then, four-cylinder 550s (which at the time was the preferred middleweight capacity, the vogue for 600s didn't start until 1986) were general-purpose roadsters, with no particular performance emphasis. That changed with the mean and moody, black and red GPz.

When first revealed, it caused quite a stir 53bhp was quite something from a middleweight in those days. And even thought the little GPz relies on air-adjustable forks and twin-shock rear suspension (an even racier Unitrack version followed in 1983), it's still a nippy urban tool that will happily keep up with the more modern stuff if the right hands.

1984[edit | edit source]

1984 Kawasaki ZX550-A1



  • 553 mL
  • Four-stroke, 4-Cylinder, Dual Over Head Camshaft
  • 6-Speed, Return Shift
  • Color
  • Fuel Tank: Galaxy Silver, Firecracker Red
  • Front Fender: Same as Fuel Tank
  • Engine No: KZ550DE041801 -
  • Frame No: ZX550A-000001 -
    • (Canada)(US) JKAZXFA1()EA000001 -
  • Parts Catalog No: 99961-0184 (Micro],
  • Service Manual No: Same as ZR400-A
  • Owner's Manual 'No: 99922-1284-02
    • (Canada)(US)99920-1235-02 (West Germany) 99923-1105-01
  • Remarks: Upgraded the Z(KZ)550-H. Fairing, air adjustable front fork with antidive, new spring tension adjustable rear shock absorber, LCD fuel gauge and Warner unit.


1985[edit | edit source]

1985 Kawasaki ZX550-A2


  • Color
  • Fuel Tank: Galaxy Silver, Firecracker Red, Ebony
  • Front Fender: Same as Fuel Tank
  • Engine No: KZ550DEQ52001-
  • Frame No: ZX550A-009401-
    • (Canada)(US) JKAZXFA1()FA009401-
  • Parts Catalog No: Same as ZX550-A1
  • Service Manual No: Same as ZR400-A
  • Owner's Manual No: 99922-1321-01
    • (Canada)(US)99920-1279-01 (West Germany) 99923-1127-01
  • Changes: Color and graphic


1986[edit | edit source]

1986 Kawasaki ZX550-A3



  • 553 mL
  • Four-stroke, 4-Cylinder, Dual Over Head Camshaft
  • 6-Speed, Return Shift
  • Color: Ebony
  • Beginning Engine No.: KZ550DE056801
  • Beginning Frame No.: ZX550A-013801
  • JKAZXFA1()GAO13801
  • Parts Catalog No.: 99917-1026-06, (France)99919-1006-03
    • (West Germany) 99918-1012-05, (Canada)(US) 99961-0184
  • Owner's Manual No.: 99922-1369-01, (Canada)(US) 99920-1341-01
    • (West Germany) 99923-1155-01
  • Service Manual No.: 99924-1040-02 & 99924-1019-05


1987[edit | edit source]

1987 Kawasaki ZX550-A4



  • Color: Ebony
  • Beginning Engine No.: KZ550DE058101
  • Beginning Frame No.: ZX550A415101
  • Parts Catalog No.: 99917-1026-6
    • (Europe) 99918-1012-05
  • Owner's Manual No.: 99922-1414-01
    • (West Germany) 99923-1182-01
  • Service Manual No.: 99924-1040-02 & 99924-1018-05

1988[edit | edit source]

1988 Kawasaki ZX550-A5



  • Color: Ebony
  • Beginning Engine No.: KZ550DE059001
  • Beginning Frame No.: ZX550A016001
  • Parts Catalog No.: 99917-1026-06
    • (West Germany) 99918-1012-05
  • Owner's Manual No.: 99922-1483-01
    • (West Germany) 99923-1237-01
  • Service Manual No.: 99924-1040-02


1982 Kawasaki GPZ 550[edit | edit source]

1982 Kawasaki GPZ 550

This is Kavasaki GPZ 550 witch has evolved from the GPZ 500 in 1980. The basic engine configuration remained the same troughout with double overhead camshafts running off central chain. This model had seven-spoke cast wheels and slab side tank, with black engine and chrome exhaust.


1984 Kawasaki GPZ 550[edit | edit source]

1984 Kawasaki GPZ 550 1984 Kawasaki GPZ 550 1984 Kawasaki GPZ 550

Introduced in 1981, the Kawasaki GPZ 550 was an upgrade of the KZ 550 street bike, with a hot-rodded version of the old machine’s four-cylinder engine, an air-charged fork, adjustable shocks and a bikini fairing. This was the first of the line, with a 500 cc DOHC engine, later bored out to 553 cc's and also available as the 398 cc Z400J (identical to the Z 550).


In Media[edit | edit source]


References[edit | edit source]

  1. 2019 K&L Supply Co Catalog. K&L Supply Co. 2019.