Adele’s Kawasaki GPz550 H2 obsession

There’s nothing like hearing about motorcycle projects and obsessions. Like this Kawasaki GPz550 H2, which was sent to us by Adele with the following report and pictures – if you want to get in touch with words, pictures or videos, it’s easy here.

We’ll let Adele tell her story;

‘I thought I’d tell you about my project, a GPz550 H2 (you’re probably wondering why that bike). I saw my first H2 in the window of Bill Smith’s, in Chester when I was at college in the early 80s. (1st pic). As you can see, it had a Mel le Moto fairing, rear sets, clip ons, the gearbox was upside down but it sounded gorgeous to me and pulled like a train compared to the Honda 125 TDC I’d passed my test on. Later, the upside down gearbox was to save it from the thieving pikeys who abandoned it 500 yards down the road because they were trying to bump-start it in third!

I’ve owned a couple more of them over the years and in 2009, whilst serving in Denmark, I saw one for sale in Brussels on ebay. So I drove down in a 1986 Toyota Corrolla with 400kms on the clock (we were only allowed to take one vehicle with us to Denmark tax free, so I took the 748). The Danes have to pay 180% tax on cars so they keep them on the road until they die. Anyway, I borrowed a little trailer, of the type you take the rubbish to the tip in and set off. Reached Brussels at 11pm, loaded the bike and set off back. I got lost within 10 minutes of setting off but was rescued by two helpful Belgian policemen, who asked where I had come from. “Denmark.” I said. “In that??” was the reply.

So the second picture is the GPz in it’s original state. It was a runner but a bit shabby, had originated from the USA, spent time in the UK and ended up in Belgium when it’s English owner moved out there for a while.

With the help of the local Danish bike shop (BikeShoppen) in Viborg, a cracking dealership with their own paint shop. Fortunately the owner, Lars, spoke good English,  I had a Wiseco piston kit fitted, braided brake lines,a stage 3 Dynojet kit with individual filters, the wheels, oil cooler and swingarm were painted in Kawasaki dark blue to match the stripes, while the bodywork is Triumph Roulette Green. I couldn’t find a Kerker exhaust so had to settle for a Marshall Deeptone, which does indeed sound lovely.

On my return from Afghan I was posted back to the UK (Cumbria), so my brother, Mike, came across to Denmark to help me move. As well as the Geep, the van contained my 748, all my kit, two cats and a Border Terrier, called Pip. We set off at 9.30 in the morning, by 10pm I was dropping Mike off at Lingfield and finally arrived at my destination at 0430. A journey I hope I never have to repeat!

Whilst in Cumbria I took the Geep along to Gowland’s to have the carbs set up properly on their dyno by Graham Gowland’s Dad 🙂 I also had the wiring overhauled by Ferret, at probably one of the strangest places he’s had to work in, at RAF Spadeadam.

I was posted to Lincolnshire a year ago and a couple of weeks after I arrived the Geep unnacountably threw itself on the floor in Tesco’s car park, while I was inside shopping. So now the bikini fairing is cracked and there’s a small dent in the side of the tank that needs sorting. The rev counter died a death, something that has happened on other GPz’s I’ve owned. It runs off the coil and I’d be interested to know if it’s just the rev counter that’s at fault or the coil. I’ve tracked down a NOS rev counter, so fitting it will be one of the jobs for the winter.

Ideally the engine needs tidying up but I haven’t the know-how or the physical strength the get it out of the frame, so I may have to do a temporary job. Anyone remember Pot Black engine paint? I would also like to beef up the suspension a little.

I don’t think I’ll ever sell the Geep, I’d just end up buying another one so I guess that it, along with the 748 that I’ve just had refurbished, will be following me wherever I go :)’

Adele

Sounds like the GPz found itself a good owner after traveling from America to Belgium via the UK. And it’s great to see the work that’s gone into it. If you’re inspired, check out the prices of Kawasaki GPz550s for sale on ebay right now.