80' gs550l project SNOWMAN

[1980c10]

Well I figured I should start a build thread since I will probably have more questions and the introduction thread is not the place for it.

So here is the plan for the bike. Get everything cleaned up and fuctioning properly. Then the mods shall begin, it will be sort of bobber/cruiser. Solo seat more than likely, not sure yet if I will hardtail or not. 9'' or 12'' apes undecided yet also. A 4to1 exhaust. Single bagger out of a 50 cal ammo box, and my buddy has me thinkin about an olive drab paint job with bomber teeth on the tank, but I may just go satin black. Thats about it for now, but like I said first and foremost get it running right and everything that need replaced. This will be a slow build also, I dont have much money.

I will get pics later.

The reason for the name snowman is, in order to get it home I had to ride with no tags so my dad followed me home running ''blocker''. He was the bandit and I was the snowman.

[1980c10]

Okay, so far. It has a mis and doesn't want to pull into the upper rpm and a couple of the floats are to high and fuel leaks if you leave the gas on when you park it. I am assuming the Mis and upper rpm problem are carb related. I pulled the plugs that where in it when I got it and 3 of them where black as coal all the way up the threads even, and one of them was brown from being lean I suppose, and the gaps where almost all the way closed on them. So I ran down to work to pick up a fresh set of NGK plugs for it, not in stock have to order them, be here Tuesday. So I just clean up the plugs that where in it for now and gaped them all to .030 Now while I am waiting on my plugs to arrive I am going to pull the carbs, dip them, and adjust the float height. If that doesn't do the trick I will pull them back off and do a full rebuild.

My plug wires are also is sad shape, and I know they are not changable on the stock coils so I am gonna pick up a set of green coils, some plug wires and a new ignition also.

Now I have a few questions, hopefully you all can help me. What should the float height be on my bike? Also I would like to change the oil, what kind of oil should I use? How much does it take? Where can I get a filter?

Thanks in advance guys. I will have some pictures tomorrow.

[cowboyup3371]

Talk to your local parts house for filters, oil, and stuff like that. You should have received a welcome packet from Basscliff. If not, go to his site - http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/ - download the service manual and start from there. Additionally, find yourself a Clymer's for the bike (Z1 Enterprises sells it or you can find one on Amazon). Both will tell you all the various settings you will need.

Finally...READ HIS SITE and do searches here!!!! There's a ton of stuff out here and all of it will help guide you through everything you will need to know.

[1980c10]

Thanks man, I just spent about 2-3 hours on basscliffs site. I think I figured out most everything lol.

[Flyboy]

Like Scott said, you will find all you need with a little bit of browsing around here, and as you have found Cliff's site, you should be pretty sorted.
Be sure to follow all the maintence steps, including making sure you dont have any intake air leaks and do the valve adjustment, these things, if left unattended lead to a world of heartache.

I am going to pull the carbs, dip them, and adjust the float height. If that doesn't do the trick I will pull them back off and do a full rebuild.

I don't understand this statement, seeing it sounds like you are going all the way to fix the other stuff, and I would highly suggest you rethink it.
Just do a proper carb clean and rebuild from the start, you don't need to buy expensive kits for it, just get a set of O rings from Robert Barr here and you know you are good to go.

[1980c10]

Wow I didn't relize it was so cheap. I think I will pick up the o ring kit and new fasteners. I am excited guys I have been looking for an air cooled 4cyl bike forever, and they actually sell everything thing I need/want for it. My last few bikes have not been this way. I'm pretty tickled and happy to be part of the community.

[Flyboy]

Good to hear you have the enthusiasm, just don't rush anything, take the time, do it right, and your ride will reward yu with many, many happy miles in the saddle........welcome to the world of Suzuki.
Now where are the pics, you know we like pics.

[1980c10]

Here we go, she isn't much to look at right now but hopefully that will change.









Now there probably wont be any progress for awhile other than collecting parts. I am a body man and have some side work I need to take care of before I can get started on the bike.

Enjoy the pics.

[Flyboy]

That is a lot better base to work from than some of the bikes that the folk here have brought back to life, so don't sweat it.
If you really are going to chop and bob, it don't matter anyway.

[1980c10]

Well Ive been tinkering a little bit in my spare time. Not much to show, But ehhh lol.

First thing I did was cut the stupid cross bar out of the handle bars. Then turned the stock bars forward a bit, sort of like mini apes.





The I pulled the air box and attached parts, every fuse on the bike was wrapped in foil.









Then pulled the tank and carbs





The carb boots are toast



As it sits now



Thats its for now. I think its going to end up as a bit of a cross between brat and short chop. So far.

Oh and one question. Do any of the larger gs models have longer swing arms like +4'' that will bolt in place of my stocker?

[cowboyup3371]

You keeping the airbox?

[1980c10]

Nope. I am going to try to use the collector thingy, the 4-1 peice and use a short cone filter from autozone. If I can't get the stock peice to work like I want I will just fab my own with the same principal.

[cowboyup3371]

Okay, if you decide to lose that collector box please let me know. I'll need one.

[1980c10]

Been playing with suzi a little more. Decided to run fenderless, no signals just headlight tail light and brake light, also ditching the stock speedo and tach, decided to lose the stock air box as well and run pods.

Its going to be really really stripped down. I chopped off the back of the frame, going to be running a short flat seat with a small kick up at the back.

testing the riding position with the modified handlebars and a flat seat.


the back of the frame cut off


Thats it for now.

Btw cowboyup3371 if you want the air box make me a resonable offer.

[cowboyup3371]

I'll let you know in a couple of weeks after I get back from my trip.