1983 Gs550 engine questions

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  • Boychuks
    • Feb 2026

    #1

    1983 Gs550 engine questions

    I have a 1985 Suzuki lt 250 with a 1983 Gs 550 engine, Im having problems with the stock Ignition system. I lost spark in cylinders 1 and 4, Ive checked the coils and they work. Ive looked into replacing the parts but its pretty pricey. I would like to upgrade my ignition system but I haven't been able to find any aftermarket parts for the 1983 550e model, maybe a points ignition system would be better? if you have any ideas please let me know! thanks.
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  • hillsy
    Forum Sage
    • May 2008
    • 1469
    • Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

    #2
    There were a lot of the 550es around with blown igniters - not exactly sure what the problem was with them but they seemed to be fragile.

    Have you checked the pick-up for that coil? Being on 1 and 4 that would be the next logical thing to check.
    Current:
    Z1300A5 Locomotive (swapped my Intruder for it), GS450 Cafe Project (might never finish it....), XT500 Commuter (I know - it's a Yamaha :eek:)

    Past:
    VL1500 Intruder (swapped for Z1300), ZX9R Streetfighter (lets face it - too fast....), 1984 GSX750EF, 1984 GSX1100EF (AKA GS1150)
    And a bunch of other crap Yamahas....

    Comment

    • tom203
      Forum Guru
      Past Site Supporter
      • Aug 2010
      • 8925
      • Norway,Maine

      #3
      Look into this link....note that this is a replacement for ignitors with bulit in timing advance

      1981 gs650L

      "We are all born ignorant, but you have to work hard to stay stupid" Ben Franklin

      Comment

      • Nessism
        Forum LongTimer
        GSResource Superstar
        Past Site Supporter
        Super Site Supporter
        • Mar 2006
        • 35790
        • Torrance, CA

        #4
        There was a thread a few years back where someone fit a centrifugal advance unit from an early 550 and then used a Dyna S. Can't recall all the details but the thread is in the archives if you want to review.
        Ed

        To measure is to know.

        Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

        Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

        Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

        KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

        Comment

        • Boychuks

          #5
          Thanks! Ill probably check those out, I was thinking about trying to fit a dyna s but the kit is around $300 so I was holding back until i knew for sure. Ill also have to look into that timing advance thing, Ive narrowed the problem down to either cdi or the pulse generator.
          Last edited by Guest; 02-14-2017, 11:06 PM.

          Comment

          • Nessism
            Forum LongTimer
            GSResource Superstar
            Past Site Supporter
            Super Site Supporter
            • Mar 2006
            • 35790
            • Torrance, CA

            #6
            Dyna S is about $130
            Ed

            To measure is to know.

            Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

            Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

            Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

            KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

            Comment

            • Cipher
              Forum Sage
              • Mar 2016
              • 3129
              • Toronto Ontario

              #7
              Dyna ignition does not fit this engine.
              1983 GS 550 LD
              2009 BMW K1300s

              Comment

              • Cipher
                Forum Sage
                • Mar 2016
                • 3129
                • Toronto Ontario

                #8
                If you only lost spark from one coil swap the coils to see if this moves. If it moves bad coil
                if not suspect bad pick up crank trigger
                1983 GS 550 LD
                2009 BMW K1300s

                Comment

                • Nessism
                  Forum LongTimer
                  GSResource Superstar
                  Past Site Supporter
                  Super Site Supporter
                  • Mar 2006
                  • 35790
                  • Torrance, CA

                  #9
                  Originally posted by Cipher
                  Dyna ignition does not fit this engine.
                  These threads suggests otherwise...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...er-alternative

                  This forum contains old posts which may have information which may be useful. It is a closed forum in that you can not post here any longer. Please post your questions in the other technical forums.


                  One issue though is getting the ignition cover to fit on after the mod.

                  Ed

                  To measure is to know.

                  Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

                  Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

                  Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

                  KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

                  Comment

                  • Cipher
                    Forum Sage
                    • Mar 2016
                    • 3129
                    • Toronto Ontario

                    #10
                    cant cover it. this is a bodge at best.
                    1983 GS 550 LD
                    2009 BMW K1300s

                    Comment

                    • Boychuks

                      #11
                      I'm going to try the cheapest route right now and try the points ignition system on my 550. I feel like this would be cheap and easy for me to build considering I'm 17 and I'm not earning enough money to go out and purchase a dyna s kit, (it's more expensive since I live in Canada.) and I feel like it would be a cool experience. If it doesn't work I will be looking more into aftermarket parts.

                      Comment

                      • Cipher
                        Forum Sage
                        • Mar 2016
                        • 3129
                        • Toronto Ontario

                        #12
                        Did you check the coils and trigger coils?
                        1983 GS 550 LD
                        2009 BMW K1300s

                        Comment

                        • Cipher
                          Forum Sage
                          • Mar 2016
                          • 3129
                          • Toronto Ontario

                          #13
                          get the maual here
                          1983 GS 550 LD
                          2009 BMW K1300s

                          Comment

                          • Grimly
                            Forum Guru
                            Past Site Supporter
                            Super Site Supporter
                            • Sep 2012
                            • 5764
                            • Ireland

                            #14
                            Originally posted by Boychuks
                            I have a 1985 Suzuki lt 250 with a 1983 Gs 550 engine, Im having problems with the stock Ignition system. I lost spark in cylinders 1 and 4, Ive checked the coils and they work. Ive looked into replacing the parts but its pretty pricey. I would like to upgrade my ignition system but I haven't been able to find any aftermarket parts for the 1983 550e model, maybe a points ignition system would be better? if you have any ideas please let me know! thanks.

                            I like that. A lot.
                            Dave
                            '79 GS850GN '80 GS850GT
                            Only a dog knows why a motorcyclist sticks his head out of a car window

                            Comment

                            • Boychuks

                              #15
                              So far the points ignition swap is going smoothly, I purchased some points for a later model Gs, I made a plate to mount them on and took a lobe from a camshaft for the timing. Everything seems to be working. I'll have to do some adjusting to make sure the spark is at the right time, I'll put some updates out soon.

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