Honda guy with a Suzuki: GS550 project

[dorkburger]

As close as the bike looks to being rideable, I'd use the parts as is and get a few rips in before winter,

[Scott S]

I've got ALL of the wiring to figure out before I can do that.

[Scott S]

Figured out the wiring and heard it run for the first time today!
Still a small punch list of things to do: Fiber washers for the petcock screws, some grommets for the side covers, adjust the clutch a little better, find out why the neutral light isn't working, add pin stripes to the tail cowl, etc., but I actually rode it up and down the street in front of the house today!

[steve murdoch]

Wow! Cool looking ride, Scott.
Love the NRC covers. A former member here was responsible for the early edition.

[dorkburger]

Looking great. Nice work sir.

[Scott S]

I ended up selling this bike to my friend. He fiddled with it while he was healing from his moto accident and got it running, but tuning the carbs was being a PITA, so he installed some flat slides.
On the dyno, it made 86 RWHP and 45 lb/ft TQ. He said, in his experience, on his dyno, that's well over 95 HP at the crank. He believes there's more in it with some more jetting changes. He's also upgraded the ignition since then. He said the slotted timing adjuster made a difference in the mid-range.

He also commented that the suspension is really dialed in, which means a lot since my dad and I did it all at home with string and a plumb-bob. I always thought the swingarm was too long, but he says it's the same wheelbase as many Ducatis he works on. He also said it lifts the front wheel easily in 1st and 2nd gear!

I made him promise to give me first refusal if he decides to sell it.

flatslides.jpg

[Scott S]

Nates.jpg
In his shop. After some dyno tuning.

[steve murdoch]

Wow, cool ride. That turned out very nice!
The swing-arm does look long especially with the shock mounts at the mid-way point.