1982 Kawasaki Interceptor 550 - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

64coupe · 03-16-2009, 10:10 PM

A friend gave it to me recently. I'm 20 miles north of Philadelphia and I don't get too much snow here. I looked online and found out there was only 601 of these models produced. Does anyone know the history of them or if is there any 550 owners on here?

Here is some pictures. It's not the prettiest but it still moves pretty good!

Kawman · 03-17-2009, 07:08 AM

I'm looking for one and may be interested if you'd consider selling. There is a new seat cover on Ebay for $150.00. There's a place in Wisconsin called Image Enterprises that sell parts for these and other antique sleds. Call me (203) 494-0075. Bret

**RJ Gleason** · 03-17-2009, 07:14 AM

And, of those built, approximately half are even in running condidtion.
Fix it up and take it to the vintage shows.

articcatbill · 03-17-2009, 09:46 AM

Sweet sled, looks in pretty good shape, other than cosmetic stuff. I also live in PA and like the vintage sleds since we don't get a lot of snow (a few good weeks to a couple months in a good winter) it's nice to not have a lot of money tied up into them. But when it snows you have something to ride. We love to ride them :-) It's fun working on them also....

Here is a poster of the sled when new:

PP627_2

Fix it up, ride it, show it, have fun with it....

BTW I'd love to find one of them around, especially for the price you paid :-)

Twostrokesrock · 03-17-2009, 11:35 AM

That looks like a sweet sled

I have never seen a engine like that either.

Kevin942 · 03-17-2009, 11:48 AM

Yeah i have never seen a head design like that befor on a sled. How does it move if you have had it on snow it would be intresting to hear how an old sled like that compares with the sleds today.

**RJ Gleason** · 03-17-2009, 01:50 PM

lets just say that it's one fast sled....................

gbryanton · 03-17-2009, 05:28 PM

The 550 interceptor was an engine ahead of its time.It would have a place even in today:s 550 snowmobiles.One of my friend:s had an interceptor 550 which he claims had 97 horses under the hood and man could that sled go.It would be worth to fix it up as not too many of them produced,and will be a worthy collector:s item.When you get the chance try punching the throttle down and feel the power of a 27 year old machine which is still comparable in today:s sleds.Would love to own one myself.Fix it up and enjoy that classic sled.

64coupe · 03-18-2009, 11:16 AM

arcticcatbill Thanks!!

It moves and It's scary fast my father owned an arctic cat 440 when i was younger never pulled like this thing. I had it out in my backyard right after our last snow storm.

The snow is gone now unfortunately but i just went through the carbs and now its a little more responsive on the grass. I've owned lots of atv's and my banshee has twin carbs it was a learning experience i never new these things had accelerator pumps!

I guess that helps the pull out of the hole.
I'd like to know more about the motor and clutch. I'm looking for an owners manual or a shop manual. The clutch grabs at 5,000 RPM and feels like a car coming off the trans brake putting me back the edge of the seat. It's a real rush, I'll let you all know what I am going to do with it. Thanks
Steve

**RJ Gleason** · 03-18-2009, 11:48 AM

Get some good closeups of the clutches and we can help there.

Here's some data for you;
Interceptor 550, 530cc with Keihin carbs (BD42-38), Sprocket ratio 1.68:1 with silent chain,.
My book does not show the data for that particular engine so I can not give the bore and stroke for it.

64coupe · 03-18-2009, 12:25 PM

clutch:

RJ Gleason is your name RJ? Thanks for the help, I won't be back on till the later evening. Thanks again
Steve

**RJ Gleason** · 03-19-2009, 04:50 AM

Ok, on the primary, you can carefully remove the six cap screws after marking the cover plate to the housing. Then you will be able to get to the spring and weights and check the rollers for wear or flat spots and also clean the center shaft of any grime so that the sheave slides freely.

Invader440 · 03-23-2009, 11:40 AM

64 Coupe, head on over to kawasakitrax.com and the guys there will hook you up with Interceptor info. Engagement for the Interceptor with the stock J weights and pink spring is 5000 rpm. Nice thing about the Kawasaki built clutches is that all the major components have arrows cast into them for alignment so you don't have to mark anything when you take it apart. Bottom end is the same as the 81 - 82 LTD.

550 kawi owner · 04-28-2011, 12:44 PM

the last number made was 601 , but there was only 600 made and it is confusing because the first number started with 0001....Also , here is some info on the sled
when the sled was marketed it was one one sled per dealer and the dealer had to buy a certain amount of other sleds to get it , although I had heard of a dealer or two , getting possibly 2....

I bought mine brand new and it has been garage kept or in an enclosed trailer , my sled number is #340