Hello from Long Island NY

[DomsKat550]

Hello, I recently picked up a titled 1982 GS550M Katana for $350 has only 7,500 miles, sat in original owners garage since 1993!
Gas tank was totally rusted even on the top, gas cap was falling into the tank! All the electric works, no scratches on anything, just some corrosion/dirt. Took gummed up carbs off and cleaned everything, put penetrating oil in cylinders and got it running with aux fuel tank. Was running on 3 cylinders but after 10 minutes of running it kicked in! Major hanging idle and will change intake boots when they come in next week-should have done that first! Pictures coming soon, looking forward to contributing and learning.​

 

[DomsKat550]

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[DomsKat550]

First ride was great, major hanging idle-hitting 3,500 RPM changing intake boots next, pretty confident that will fix problem, idles good at times and has nice throttle response, brakes actually still work after sitting for 30 years-will replace fluid and inspect once its running right.

 

[dorkburger]

Welcome. Now that you know it runs, would definitely be doing yourself a favor to completely go thru the bike. I bought my bike after a 12 year slumber and addressed items in a piecemeal fashion, and because of it I chased annoying but fairly small gremlins for a few years.

 

[Grimly]

New brake hoses, imperative.

 

[DomsKat550]

The new intakes fixed my problems! Bike runs great now, faster than my 550F and the bike feels bigger. Love this bike but I am surprised by the amount of vibration felt in the seat mainly. Constant from 4200- 5500 RPM at highway speeds. Do other GS550 owners feel this? Road tests mention some vibration but my 550F is smoother.

 

[steve murdoch]

Glad to hear the intakes got it sorted.
A carb synch MIGHT help with the vibration.

 

[DomsKat550]

I bench synced pretty good but will try the vacuum sync Installing new tires soon, have to get rid of the 30 year old back and original front tire! Maybe that will help bibes

 

[Redman]

The new intakes fixed my problems! ....
.....
.....

Good. Tell us about finding supplier for intake boots.

Looks like you found a tank also.

.

 

[DomsKat550]

Good. Tell us about finding supplier for intake boots.

Looks like you found a tank also.

.

Found Suzuki intake boots from an Ebay vendor-Everett Powersports -came to $173 with shipping and tax- pricy but shouldn't have to worry about them for many years
No tanks available from USA on ebay, had to get one from Germany- had to derust inside but wasn't too bad, I used Metal Rescue, works great. Cost with shipping was $180 for the tank. No major dents but has thin bondo all over which I'm in process of removing and redo. I will be painting tank original silver color, I'm in the sign business so I am going to make my own graphics

 

[DomsKat550]

Sold my 1975 Hon_a 550F- Suzuki won me over!

 

[DomsKat550]

Painted my tank silver, now rebuilding my forks and cleaning up rims, hope to be back riding it at the beginning of March

 

[dorkburger]

Looking good! .

 

[DomsKat550]

Runs great...finally after cleaning gas cap vent! Would die out after high speed during slow down and stall. And changed Reg/Rec now battery charges nicely, only thing left is to figure out why I have excess brake lever travel and clean and paint more of engine.

 

[Redman]

Runs great...finally after cleaning gas cap vent! Would die out after high speed during slow down and stall. And changed Reg/Rec now battery charges nicely, only thing left is to figure out why I have excess brake lever travel and clean and paint more of engine .

Impressive.
THanks for update.

You said you might make you own "graphics" (as a sign maker).
Did you?

.

 

[DomsKat550]

Impressive.
THanks for update.

You said you might make you own "graphics" (as a sign maker).
Did you?

.

Thanks its a cool bike, one you never see around....Yes, it was very hard to match exactly, the vinyl that came closest was too transparent so when I put on silver test panel it looked dark, I decided to layer that vinyl on to an opaque beige which was much better. This is what I used on my bike, if I ever do it again, I would layer it on to an opaque red because with the beige its a little too orange compared to the original. I had cut the original decal with the sheet metal off of my original tank to compare the various vinyl colors available

 

[Retrosteve]

Welcome Looks a nice bike .. So many good retro bikes still available over there .

 

[DomsKat550]

Made some changes since I last posted! I sold all my Katana body parts on Ebay, Replaced with various parts from different GS models and years, found a cutoff frame section with all the required brackets, hinges on it. I shaped stock E model foam and will get it upholdtered during winter. Mocked everything up and have been riding for a few days now. I will take everything apart during winter and paint, not sure on colors, I change my mind every week.

 

[DomsKat550]

GS650 tank is a little longer so I had to modify seat pan, had to grind metal in front more since this picture

 

[DomsKat550]

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