Kaizo Project

[DomsKat550]

IMG_9921.jpg Hi, I have posts on the GS owners thread about my 1982 Katana 550, from when I bought it to starting my conversion process. Here are pictures and info of the project, thanks for viewing

[DomsKat550]

Kaizo in Japanese means reconfigure and rebuild (From internet research)

[DomsKat550]

Disassembly starting

[DomsKat550]

IMG_1624.jpg 1985 Tailight in 79 cowl

[DomsKat550]

Test fitting and modifications
Gas tank from an 82 GS650

[DomsKat550]

Bought a frame cut off section on eBay it had all the brackets and hinges etc that I needed. Mig welded them on, measure 20 times cut once!

[DomsKat550]

More frame mods-gorilla welds (ugly but strong)

[DomsKat550]

Wire wheeled and sanded frame
Primed with Eastwood Rust encapsulator
Painted with SEM gloss black enamel

[DomsKat550]

IMG_3146.jpg Painted wheels black but
masked off the thin raised sections, love the original Suzuki style rims- also this is a rim from T model 550. It’s 17” x2.5 instead of the Katana 18” x2.15. I put a 130-90 Bridgestone Battlax

[DomsKat550]

Here’s the difference, diameter just a little taller so highway revs should be a little less

[KiwiAlfa156]

Your bike, your choice, but I'm interested in the fact that you are -from what I can see- turning a GS550M Katana into a GS550E? The 550 Kat in what looks like original condition would be a rarer beast that any other GS550. So I guess I'm asking why?

[Vmass]

I was waiting to see if it was an early April Fool's joke!

[rphillips]

Probably most here are wondering... The GS550M got to be the most "rare" and "special" GS550 ever made.