The $150 GS550

[kamelman]

Up here near Toronto you can't really find bikes that run under $500. Hell if it's saftied it'll go for $1500-$1750 easy, no matter the year,make,model or mileage.
So hence I bought this 1982 GS550M for $200. I figure about $800 - $1000 in and I'm already ahead.

[kamelman]

Shoulda taken some pics before starting dissassembly. Thats the reason I haven't posted any yet. Who wants to see pics of parts

[Napoleon047]

IT RUNS!!!!

I did a compression check: 120, 100, 100, 60.

As I said, I finally got it to run without the choke on, but the lowest I can get it to idle is over 2000 rpms. Its also blowing gray smoke constantly.

[Napoleon047]

oh yeah, it backfires when starting and when I open the throttle.

[Napoleon047]

Ok, so I reset the floats and it no longer smokes

But now it will only start and run with the choke on, and then it idles at 4k. I can close the choke partially and it will run down to 2.5k, but any lower and it dies and if i try to open the throttle, it dies.

Im guessing its too lean now?

[salty_monk]

Do you have the air box & filter on it? If not... that's your problem.

60 on that cylinder is very low, even the others aren't great, hope the rings seat better than that with some use.

Dan

[Napoleon047]

It has been sitting a while, the newest registration on the plates is 1989.

Yes, the factory airbox and an OEM filter are on it. I fiddled with it more and I can sometimes get it to idle with the choke off around 1500 RPM, but after I rev it, it will die. If I use the throttle stop screw, It wont die anymore but it hovers around 3k for a while before dropping to 1500 again.

I'm about to do a fuel injection conversion

[Napoleon047]

I finally got it to run smoothly and idle without the choke once it warms up. It revs well, shifts through all the gears smoothly on the stand etc. so I figured I would take it for a test ride. Well, the seat pan was so rusted that when I sat on it, it broke and the seat came back off

So I started playing with some fiberglass:

[Napoleon047]

Well, its alive. The stuck ring broke free and I now have good compression on all cylinders. I ran it around the block a few times. Its for sale now: http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/mcy/1065847124.html

[BassCliff]

Nice work Mr. Napoleon47.

Too bad you're going to sell it. Are you going to get another GS to flip?


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[syren]

8. On '79 models, install new points or Dyna electronic ignition (or at least verify that the old points are working correctly)

What parts are considered "new points"? I have a electric ignition now but it doesn't work, no clicks or anything. What parts are considered new points? Is it a part or combination of multiple points?

[Big T]

Syren,

Ignition contact breaker points is what they mean, just like in a 1960's, or older, Amercian car distributor.

They get burned, wear out and the rubbing block wears down, screwing up your dwell angle.

[syren]

Big T,
Thanks for the reply but I'm still not exactly sure what you mean. I have an idea but not certain where to look on the bike.

[Napoleon047]

Nice work Mr. Napoleon47.

Too bad you're going to sell it. Are you going to get another GS to flip?


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

Thanks, I'm not necessarily trying to flip it as much as I am trying to break even . I will own another bike someday, they aren't where I need to be in life right now.