81 Kawi gpz 550 restore or part it out?

[maddoggy]

hey guys, late this past summer i picked up a 81 gpz 550 that is in OK condition. it has some misc. minor problems and needs some carb work(won't idle but runs ok at higher rpm's). my question is, do you guys think it would be worth restoring it or would i be better off not spending the time and money on it and just part it out? thanks, MADDOGGY

[Johnniespeed]

 I worked with a guy who had two of those bikes. They seemed to be a bike ahead of its time. The styling was more modern than other bike of those years. My co-worker had carb issues and bent wheel issues, but eventually got one to be quite nice.
  The answer to your question can only be answered by you, I happen to enjoy getting old junk other people have given up on, to look and run like new. I also enjoy spending much time in my garage and also have most equipment to perform restoration.
 If you have a wife or girl friend who demands your time, you may as well decide right now which to keep and which to replace.
 Keep us posted on what you decide.
 John

[maddoggy]

I worked with a guy who had two of those bikes. They seemed to be a bike ahead of its time. The styling was more modern than other bike of those years. My co-worker had carb issues and bent wheel issues, but eventually got one to be quite nice.
  The answer to your question can only be answered by you, I happen to enjoy getting old junk other people have given up on, to look and run like new. I also enjoy spending much time in my garage and also have most equipment to perform restoration.
 If you have a wife or girl friend who demands your time, you may as well decide right now which to keep and which to replace.
 Keep us posted on what you decide.
 John

i hear you johnnie, i'm just kind of wondering value wise if they are worth anything. i'd hate to spend lots of time restoring something that has a real low value.

[Johnniespeed]

While I really dont know what a restored GPZ 550 would sell for, I can only guess that the full appreciatiion value has not yet occurred. At some point the bike will become so old and so rare that it will indeed bring a good price.
 In looking at the restoration from an economic point of view, I think there are other ways to make more money with less work. But if you enjoy the work, enjoy the results of your efforts, that is priceless. The satisfaction that comes from hard work is sometimes worth more than money.
  John

[Friar-Tuck]

 That was my first street bike,
 I got it used in '82.  Bassani pipe and re-jetted carbs 131 top speed and I weighed about 210#, great around towner.  I don't recall any handling issues, and she never let me down.
 Sold it in the pipedream of getting the Brand New Ninja.  =( never happened
   Tuck\o/

[Johnniespeed]

Friar Tuck, dont you wish you had a nice one now ?  ( and a nice Ninja! ) John

[Friar-Tuck]

 Brother You got that Right! 
 Tuck\o/