My GS550 needs help.

[skearton]

Im still having trouble finding rear shoes.

Hi Mr. skearton,

The long warm-up time is usually due to tight valve clearances. See my post above for the mega-welcome. In it you will find a most complete vendor list. On my website you will find guides which include how to adjust your valve clearances. The brake light switch should be under the right side cover. Did you download a manual from my site? Your bike looks nice! Thanks for the picture.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[RJ]

Try bikebandit.com for the brake pads. The brake light switch up front is located underneath the lever. Loosen the screws a tad and squirt some contact cleaner or brake cleaner in there. The rear is operated off of the pedal via a spring and plunger setup. Pull the spring off, spray, and move the plunger up and down. That should take care of things.

[Larry D]

I've taken Grandpa's advise and bought my pads off ebay. You call them rear shoes.....are they shoes or pads ? They should be pads, unless it's been changed somewhere in it's life.

[mike_of_bbg]

I've taken Grandpa's advise and bought my pads off ebay. You call them rear shoes.....are they shoes or pads ? They should be pads, unless it's been changed somewhere in it's life.

Pads are for disc brakes, shoes are for drum brakes. I do believe the 81 GS550L (his appears to be an L based on the fork) had rear drum brakes.

[Larry D]

Pads are for disc brakes, shoes are for drum brakes. I do believe the 81 GS550L (his appears to be an L based on the fork) had rear drum brakes.

I looked at AlphaSports fische for an '81 GS550L. It shows pads and calipers for the rear..........

[skearton]

Yeah thats been part of the dilemma. I keep finding pads and not shoes. it is an L series.

[Larry D]

What do you know of the bike's history ?

'77 GS550's had rear drums and shoes. After that they changed to calipers and pads. Maybe the '77 shoes would fit ??

Perhaps it's a Euro version that had drums, not sure about that though. Or maybe the rear has been changed at some point. An '81 should have pads and calipers......

[skearton]

Double checked the title... I was looking for the wrong year. it's an 82.


Found these but it says theyre for 83-86

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SUZUKI-GN-400-GSX-250-450-GS-550-GS250-REAR-BRAKE-SHOES_W0QQitemZ310135568920QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20090414?IMSfp=TL090414176001r1094

In Google Images it shows rear drums

http://www.suzukicycles.org/photos/GS/GS550L/1982_GS550L_blk_720.jpg

[Larry D]

This is what I found.

When looking for compatible parts, I go to http://www.alpha-sports.com/suzuki_parts.htm and get the Suzuki part number. Then take that number and go to http://www.babbittsonline.com/ and put the number in the quick parts lookup section. It will tell you what other bikes that particular part fits. Which in your case is '73-'77 GT550 and '77-79 GS550B.

I still find it odd that the '82GS550L has rear drums and shoes though......Good Luck.

[skearton]

Found some on Dennis Kirk.

http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp;jsessionid=5EKSIKD2A2GSBLA0WTISM4VMDK0OWIV0?store=&skuId=199333

[skearton]

Got my rear brakes installed, I just need to replace a turn signal housing and I'm ready to roll.... it's been raining a lot here recently. im ready for some nice weather.

[Odinist]

I still find it odd that the '82GS550L has rear drums and shoes though......Good Luck.

That is weird, considering that my '81 has rear disc.

[mike_of_bbg]

Yep, my 82 GS550L has rear drum. They dumped the hydraulics and went mechanical, at that! Looking back through the model-specific sections of the factory service manual, they seemed to switch between the two on various models in different years. At least I didn't seen any particular rhyme or reason to it.

[skearton]

Got it on the road.... I noticed I'm leaking a bit of oil around the cam area? That won't be fun to replace. Think there will be any problems with me riding it in the meantime If I diligently check the oil? it is a small leak even at full temperature.

[almarconi]

I noticed I'm leaking a bit of oil around the cam area? That won't be fun to replace. Think there will be any problems with me riding it in the meantime If I diligently check the oil? it is a small leak even at full temperature.

I would just ride it. Keep an eye on it.. make sure your oil is at the proper level..if it starts puking alot of oil then you'll have to attend to it.