bike model question - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

GSRIDER · 06-01-2004, 07:43 AM

Has anyone heard of a Kawasaki "GE"?

more specifiaclly a 1985 Kawasaki 550 GE?

I was browsaing bikes this week and came across this add, and don't feel like driving my ass over to look at it without seeing a pic, but all my searches are nil.... I've never heard of a GE.

BooRadley · 06-01-2004, 08:55 AM

GE? As far as I know, there is no such model. Several searches turn up the same result.

My guesses are this

A) A KZ550 or GPZ550, 4 cylinder air cooled bike, with the year code GE. The owner mistook it for a model number.

B) A suzuki GS550 E(chain drive, S would be shaft driven). Once again, owner at fault Seems most likely. Air cooled 4. UJM. Woo!

C) Newspaper/classified service typo.

I could almost guarentee it is one of the above. But, if it is an actual GE , it's bound to be a very rare bike. Worth a look, as the old UJMs are decent bikes.

GSRIDER · 06-01-2004, 10:01 AM

yeah.. after looking some more. I think it may be a GT. E and T sound alike. I looked online and couldn't find anything older that 88.

I already have a old 77 GS 550... and that has spurred a love of old japanese bikes.

gonna lokk at a 79 GS750 here in a few.

GSRIDER · 06-01-2004, 01:22 PM

DAMN... a clean as clean can be 1979 GS 850 will be mine tomorrow....straight out of the box stock.... sweeeeet

BooRadley · 06-02-2004, 01:22 PM

A GT550 is a two-smoke bike. The only bikes that were two-stroke in 1985 were RZ350s.

WE NEED PICS OF THE 850!!!!!!!!!!

GSRIDER · 06-03-2004, 07:35 AM

picked it up yesterday. had some running problems though. The engine kept popping and dying, would'nt stay running with out some throttle applied. So I just about walked away from it. But the dealer (not a bike owner himself) said I could take it and if I couldn't get it running the way I wanted in a couple days to just bring it back. I tinkered and had a smooth run later.

He added some louder pipes for some reason.. and I think a fuel adjustment needs to be made to compensate for the new exhaust. He thought the bike would sell quicker if it was louder.

Anyways, we'll see how a couple more runs go. If I decide to keep it. the first thing to go is the seat and then I'm getting some new bars... make a ol streetfigheresque bike.

BooRadley · 06-03-2004, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by GSRIDER

picked it up yesterday. had some running problems though. The engine kept popping and dying, would'nt stay running with out some throttle applied. So I just about walked away from it. But the dealer (not a bike owner himself) said I could take it and if I couldn't get it running the way I wanted in a couple days to just bring it back. I tinkered and had a smooth run later.

He added some louder pipes for some reason.. and I think a fuel adjustment needs to be made to compensate for the new exhaust. He thought the bike would sell quicker if it was louder.

Anyways, we'll see how a couple more runs go. If I decide to keep it. the first thing to go is the seat and then I'm getting some new bars... make a ol streetfigheresque bike.

Sounds like a jetting problem to me... running way too lean. You describe them as very loud pipes.. probably performance or race pipes, obviously.

Pull the plugs after running it for a while. Check them against this chart. (takes a while to load on 56k.. )

http://www.dansmc.com/spark_plugs/sp...s_catalog.html

If the jetting is off, you'll have to crack open the carbs!

GSRIDER · 06-03-2004, 09:23 AM

I hate and yet enjoy carb work. I just requested a manual (I work two floors up from the guys who edit the clymer manuals... name a bike and a year and 20 minutes later the book is on your desk).

I just don't want a "project" right now. I want a running machine to get me through summer.

BooRadley · 06-03-2004, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by GSRIDER
I hate and yet enjoy carb work. I just requested a manual (I work two floors up from the guys who edit the clymer manuals... name a bike and a year and 20 minutes later the book is on your desk).

I just don't want a "project" right now. I want a running machine to get me through summer.

Join the club

Moonduck · 06-05-2004, 06:37 AM

Heh, no kidding. I want a rider myself. I have one right now what just needs new tires and a gas tank though, so I think I will be two-wheeled very shortly. It's a honda CB650, and runs strong. Can't wait =)

Loves the UJM's =)

GSRIDER · 06-06-2004, 05:04 AM

So after a few hit and misses... my new ride is fuckin insane. I thought the bike was pretty tame. But after addressing some fuel issues... HOLY SHIT!!!!! This ol beauty flys.

GSRIDER · 06-06-2004, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Moonduck
Heh, no kidding. I want a rider myself. I have one right now what just needs new tires and a gas tank though, so I think I will be two-wheeled very shortly. It's a honda CB650, and runs strong. Can't wait =)

Loves the UJM's =)

The old CBs kick ass. You can still find them in great running condition AND they are affordable.

I've noticed though... since shows like American Choppers and the like that the old metric bikes are getting more and more expensive and fewer between. I'm hard pressed to find a 70s bike under a 1000 bucks. i had to talk my bike down from 1600 to 1300.

06-01-2004, 07:43 AM	#1 (permalink)
GSRIDER spurt king Location: Out of my mind	bike model question Has anyone heard of a Kawasaki "GE"? more specifiaclly a 1985 Kawasaki 550 GE? I was browsaing bikes this week and came across this add, and don't feel like driving my ass over to look at it without seeing a pic, but all my searches are nil.... I've never heard of a GE. __________________ No signature at this time.

06-01-2004, 10:01 AM	#3 (permalink)
GSRIDER spurt king Location: Out of my mind	yeah.. after looking some more. I think it may be a GT. E and T sound alike. I looked online and couldn't find anything older that 88. I already have a old 77 GS 550... and that has spurred a love of old japanese bikes. gonna lokk at a 79 GS750 here in a few. __________________ No signature at this time.

06-01-2004, 01:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
GSRIDER spurt king Location: Out of my mind	DAMN... a clean as clean can be 1979 GS 850 will be mine tomorrow....straight out of the box stock.... sweeeeet __________________ No signature at this time.

06-03-2004, 07:35 AM	#6 (permalink)
GSRIDER spurt king Location: Out of my mind	picked it up yesterday. had some running problems though. The engine kept popping and dying, would'nt stay running with out some throttle applied. So I just about walked away from it. But the dealer (not a bike owner himself) said I could take it and if I couldn't get it running the way I wanted in a couple days to just bring it back. I tinkered and had a smooth run later. He added some louder pipes for some reason.. and I think a fuel adjustment needs to be made to compensate for the new exhaust. He thought the bike would sell quicker if it was louder. Anyways, we'll see how a couple more runs go. If I decide to keep it. the first thing to go is the seat and then I'm getting some new bars... make a ol streetfigheresque bike. __________________ No signature at this time.

06-03-2004, 09:23 AM	#8 (permalink)
GSRIDER spurt king Location: Out of my mind	I hate and yet enjoy carb work. I just requested a manual (I work two floors up from the guys who edit the clymer manuals... name a bike and a year and 20 minutes later the book is on your desk). I just don't want a "project" right now. I want a running machine to get me through summer. __________________ No signature at this time.

06-01-2004, 08:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
BooRadley Insane Location: Kentucky	GE? As far as I know, there is no such model. Several searches turn up the same result. My guesses are this A) A KZ550 or GPZ550, 4 cylinder air cooled bike, with the year code GE. The owner mistook it for a model number. B) A suzuki GS550 E(chain drive, S would be shaft driven). Once again, owner at fault Seems most likely. Air cooled 4. UJM. Woo! C) Newspaper/classified service typo. I could almost guarentee it is one of the above. But, if it is an actual GE , it's bound to be a very rare bike. Worth a look, as the old UJMs are decent bikes.

06-02-2004, 01:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
BooRadley Insane Location: Kentucky	A GT550 is a two-smoke bike. The only bikes that were two-stroke in 1985 were RZ350s. WE NEED PICS OF THE 850!!!!!!!!!!

06-05-2004, 06:37 AM	#10 (permalink)
Moonduck Junkie Location: SE USA	Heh, no kidding. I want a rider myself. I have one right now what just needs new tires and a gas tank though, so I think I will be two-wheeled very shortly. It's a honda CB650, and runs strong. Can't wait =) Loves the UJM's =)

06-06-2004, 05:04 AM	#11 (permalink)
GSRIDER spurt king Location: Out of my mind	So after a few hit and misses... my new ride is fuckin insane. I thought the bike was pretty tame. But after addressing some fuel issues... HOLY SHIT!!!!! This ol beauty flys. __________________ No signature at this time.