New used bike - What to do first

[Anonymous]

Ok - I broke down and picked up another 550T model (4 of the 550's now - I feel like an orphange for old GS550's).

Here the ?:

What should do to the bike prior to takeing it out on the road the first time. It does run, and start - I test rode it and there are no leaks.

Here's what I am going to do, please add anything you may think of-
1. Clutch Adjustment
2. Plugs, Oil and Filter
3. Check Brakes
4. Check Air filter
5. Check Tires
6. Check battery
7. Check lighting
8. Clean, Clean, polish, clean, polish, wash, clean some more...
9. Install gas line filter (many opinions on this)
10 Synch carbs (cleaned by dealer prior to me buying - have receipts)
11. Install clamps on the boots that go from airbox to carbs - currently missing - air leak? Bike needs major choke to start
12. Synch carbs agian, or just revers 10 and 11.
13. Rebuild petcock. Seller had kit that is now mine.
14. Install stock exhaust from 1980 550L parts bike.
15. resynch carbs agian...
16 check chain and sprockets
17 Check shocks - no leaks from first check

Winter -

Adj valves
Replace all bolts with stainless
Replace chain and sprckets
Repaint Tank, Fenders and Side Covers.
Change to halogen lighting - silverstar!


Anything else...????

[Anonymous]

550

Yup you sound like a 550 junkie to me, I did the same thing with British bikes, sounds like you got it down, I would just add a ground to the R/R, as a prioity, and check the rest as well as the fuse box, enjoy and dont O/D,

[Anonymous]

Ground the RR is a good idea that slipped me by - Thanks - just the kind of thing I was looking for. I will also go through the electrical/wiring as well, although a more through job to be done this winter.

I assume that the ground to the battery neg post from the RR would be - which wire?
Thanks,

Rob the 550 Junkie...I've got to get my consatnt fix...

[Anonymous]

ground

your just going to add another ground from the R/R case mount to the battery negitive there should be another black wire in place, its just that the ground circut is inadequet on these bikes

[Anonymous]

If the stock R/R is still OK, just run a nice big ground wire from the mounting bolt directly to the negative post on the battery and you'll be fine.

as I found in a search - which I always forget to do..

[Anonymous]

What is R/R ?

[earlfor]

Re: New used bike - What to do first

Change the fork oil. Delete item 9. They are unnecessary and only cause problems and offer no gains.

Earl

Ok - I broke down and picked up another 550T model (4 of the 550's now - I feel like an orphange for old GS550's).

Here the ?:

What should do to the bike prior to takeing it out on the road the first time. It does run, and start - I test rode it and there are no leaks.

Here's what I am going to do, please add anything you may think of-
1. Clutch Adjustment
2. Plugs, Oil and Filter
3. Check Brakes
4. Check Air filter
5. Check Tires
6. Check battery
7. Check lighting
8. Clean, Clean, polish, clean, polish, wash, clean some more...
9. Install gas line filter (many opinions on this)
10 Synch carbs (cleaned by dealer prior to me buying - have receipts)
11. Install clamps on the boots that go from airbox to carbs - currently missing - air leak? Bike needs major choke to start
12. Synch carbs agian, or just revers 10 and 11.
13. Rebuild petcock. Seller had kit that is now mine.
14. Install stock exhaust from 1980 550L parts bike.
15. resynch carbs agian...
16 check chain and sprockets
17 Check shocks - no leaks from first check

Winter -

Adj valves
Replace all bolts with stainless
Replace chain and sprckets
Repaint Tank, Fenders and Side Covers.
Change to halogen lighting - silverstar!


Anything else...????

[Anonymous]

R/R is shorthand for the Rectifier/Regulator, a common source of electrical gremlins.

[gremlin]

for winter i would clean the rear brake are and center stand pivot. mite as well check all the wheel bearings replace and lube as needed. i know that well from when i got my bike. looked cheery but sat so long all the bearings started to go after i started riding it hard.

had brake pedle lock up due to rust/gunk build up. not fun on a long ride. i had to limp home and front brake only.


pick a week end and a part till spring and inspect it clean it. by spring you will have one clean cool running bike.

[KGB]

Brake fluid(s).


Why not turn it into a mini Wes Cooley?
Or cafe race style?


You'll need a bigger truck for next years rides, now the decision is which bike?

[Anonymous]

Maybe I'll do the canoe thing, with the T pulling the canoe with the ES/G inside, and a tow cable pulling the current rebuild T project..Or I'll just bring along some friends, and we'll swap bikes around as we ride...well, at each stop..I do have a preference for my ES/G model though..especially in the twisties... 8O