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couple of 550 questions.

  • Thread starter Thread starter dumptruck
  • Start date Start date
D

dumptruck

Guest
ok i have had my 1982 gs550l for about a year now and i am thinking about doing a little work on it, make it somewhat a cafe. i did search and find a lot of answers but im still a little unsure.
1. i know the gs550e front end fits the gs550l but what years fit it?
2. anyone post a link of someone putting a 550e tank on a 550l?
3. i was planing on putting clubmans on for now, im assuming ill need shorter cables? will the 550e cable be short enough?
4. i like the look of wire wheels, any out there that bolt right up?

sorry for posting this just would like to start ordering parts and searching salvage yards.

here is my bike
SDC11215.jpg
 
Last edited:
Welcome !!!

I don't know the answers to your questions.

I know it's your bike to with as you please...but....why modify such a nice bike ? It's a beauty !!!

Seems like you could find another one that could use some "cafe" mods and leave that one alone.....Just my .02 cents.:)
 
Larry D said:
Welcome !!!

I don't know the answers to your questions.

I know it's your bike to with as you please...but....why modify such a nice bike ? It's a beauty !!!

Seems like you could find another one that could use some "cafe" mods and leave that one alone.....Just my .02 cents.:)
Click to expand...

thanks..I have been looking for another bike but i cant find any for a reasonable price.
I'm not 100% sure if i want to do anything to it yet but I am just looking for some more info..
I do plan on lowering it just a bit though.
 
Greetings and Salutations!!

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. dumptruck,

Yours is a fine example of a 550L. It looks nice. Your bike has a 35mm fork diameter. To use bigger forks you'd have to also change the steering head/triple clamps. Putting the larger "E" tank on your "L" is possible but would require some fabrication skills to modify the attachment points on the tank or the mounts on the frame.

And, being the old fuddy-duddy stock kind of guy I am, that's about all the advice I can offer regarding your questions. So let me cordially welcome you to the forum. Welcome to the forum. I'm glad you've found us. Come on in and make yourself at home! Let me say, "Howdy!"... :D

Here is your very own magical, mystical, mythical, mind-expanding "mega-welcome". Please take notice of the "Top 10 Common Issues", the Carb Rebuild Series, and the Stator Papers. Now let me roll out the welcome mat for you...

Please click here for your mega-welcome, chock full of tips, suggestions, links to vendors, and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I've been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. Don't forget, we like pictures! Not you, your bike! :D

Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
BassCliff said:
Hi Mr. dumptruck,

Yours is a fine example of a 550L. It looks nice. Your bike has a 35mm fork diameter. To use bigger forks you'd have to also change the steering head/triple clamps. Putting the larger "E" tank on your "L" is possible but would require some fabrication skills to modify the attachment points on the tank or the mounts on the frame.

And, being the old fuddy-duddy stock kind of guy I am, that's about all the advice I can offer regarding your questions. So let me cordially welcome you to the forum. Welcome to the forum. I'm glad you've found us. Come on in and make yourself at home! Let me say, "Howdy!"... :D

Here is your very own magical, mystical, mythical, mind-expanding "mega-welcome". Please take notice of the "Top 10 Common Issues", the Carb Rebuild Series, and the Stator Papers. Now let me roll out the welcome mat for you...

Please click here for your mega-welcome, chock full of tips, suggestions, links to vendors, and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I've been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. Don't forget, we like pictures! Not you, your bike! :D

Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
Click to expand...

thanks for the complement and the welcome. this is an awesome site!

are the E forks 35mm? I read that if you want to use the E forks you have pretty much swap the whole E front end because of brakes and the geometry, correct me if I am wrong.

i found a couple pics of some cafe's using the teardrop tank and they looked pretty good.. I will try and dig them up.

since you wanted more pictures here you go!!!
this is my 1952 cushman highlander, it was my dads when was younger. I rebuilt and repainted it last year. Enjoy!
SDC11186.jpg
 
anyone know if there are any wire spoke type wheels that will fit?
 
Last edited:
The wire wheels are available for the 550 and come from the earlier model 550s. If you look around you might pick up a triple tree, forks and wire wheel off a '77 to '79 model. Other models with wire wheels are 750, 1000 earlier models and of course the 400 & 450s as well. The rear wire wheels come with drum and disc brakes, your choice or whatever you can find available.
 
Suzuki_Don said:
The wire wheels are available for the 550 and come from the earlier model 550s. If you look around you might pick up a triple tree, forks and wire wheel off a '77 to '79 model. Other models with wire wheels are 750, 1000 earlier models and of course the 400 & 450s as well. The rear wire wheels come with drum and disc brakes, your choice or whatever you can find available.
Click to expand...

thanks.. i just keep looking
 
Hey DT, that's a really clean looking L you have there.:) Instead of dumping a ton of money into it and changing the characte of the bike, totally out of character, I suggest you give some Daytona bars and GS550M cables a try. A small fairing, such as a Mahr will also help add some sportyness and wind protection at the same time. Swapping the fork, wheels, etc is a large expense and you will struggle to get back so I suggest you enjoy bike for what it is and save some cash for your next GS - a 1000 maybe!
 
Nessism said:
Hey DT, that's a really clean looking L you have there.:) Instead of dumping a ton of money into it and changing the characte of the bike, totally out of character, I suggest you give some Daytona bars and GS550M cables a try. A small fairing, such as a Mahr will also help add some sportyness and wind protection at the same time. Swapping the fork, wheels, etc is a large expense and you will struggle to get back so I suggest you enjoy bike for what it is and save some cash for your next GS - a 1000 maybe!
Click to expand...

those daytona bars look pretty nice. I am a smaller guy so I dont think I will get a 1000.
I have a lot of free time so I have been working on a seat/rear cowl. so if that turns out well I will get some new handlebars.
going to wait on doing anything big like forks or wheels.
 
also my bike seems to stand straight up when it is on the side kick stand. almost like it is going to fall over... any suggestions? cut it? bend it?
 
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