• Required reading for all forum users!!!

    Welcome!
    Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.

    A note to new registrants...
    All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.

    A Special Note about Email accounts!
    DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.

    A note to old forum members...
    I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.

    Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.

    Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...

  • Returning Visitors

    If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.

    If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.

Honda guy with a Suzuki: GS550 project

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

Guest
Hello all....new member here. But not new to vintage bikes. I've built a bunch of XS650's and, more recently, Honda CB550's, plus a random smattering of Kawasaki, BMW, etc. Everything from Honda singles (CT70 and S90) to dual plugged AirHead BMW's ('84 R100).

I currently have a '73 CB500/550 in the garage, an '85 VF500F, an '84 VT500 Ascot, a CT90, CT70 (project with Piranha 140), a '65 S90, and now this.... a Suzuki GS550.


 
The build date looks to be 11/79. It's a GS550E. Is there a place I can cross check the VIN? When I Google images of an '80, I see slight differences. This looks more like the pics of a '79.

It has 36K miles on it, but the engine turns over with really strong compression (by hand) and the carbs are free. It needs a bit of everything, but I've started with less. And, for $100, I couldn't pass it up.
I know I need side covers, and the seat pan is pretty thin. I'll go through the carbs (or rather, have Rick at OldSkool Carbs do it, since he's my neighbor and does a much more thorough job than I can do), and then all the normal "sitting bike" stuff; valves, fluids, fork seals, etc. Neither of the brakes work and there is some sort of electrical problem, which is why it was parked years ago.
The guy I got it from was told, by the guy HE got it from, that it would run but cut off. The most recent guy hooked up a jump box and it powers up (lights, etc.) but didn't turn over. The wiring is a mess...lots of stuff unplugged...and they opened up the RH control while messing with it. I have all the parts. I think.



The tank is solid with one quarter size ding. Pretty clean inside. I'll give it "The Works" or Evaporust treatment.

 
And since everyone likes pics, here's an "as found" pic. In the back room of a dusty shop. Had to move a pile of junk to get it out.
Does anyone recognize the exhaust? I figure it's probably a MAC, but the collector underneath seems huge and it has a sweep to it that sort of reminds me of a Kerker I had on a CB550 once.

 
At this point, I'm looking for any good advice on GS specific stuff, sources for parts, a pair of side covers and maybe a seat/pan.
But generally, just guidance on a new-to-me model.
 
steve murdoch said:
The S bend near the collectors makes it a Kerker, imho.
A look at the baffle might help.

I have an S90 as well. How about a pic.
Click to expand...

I hope it is a Kerker! I'll get more pics tomorrow when I get it out of the truck. It was dark when I got home.

The S90 is more of a preservation than a restoration. Rode HARD and put away wet sometime around '73 or '74. Here's a pic of it on the work bench about a week before the first fire up in 40-something years. I rode it for the first time about a week ago.

 
Welcome to GSR.

11/79 mfg date will be an 80 model.

The CV carbs (can tell by the diaphram on top) indicate it is an 80, not 79 that would have VM carbs.

.
 
Last edited:
hillsy said:
Welcome to Suzuki land.

Once you get the GS550 dialled in you will want to sell your Hondas :cool:
Click to expand...

Maybe... but that VF500 is sweeeeet. And the Ascot handles like it loses 200 lbs. once it's moving.

I'm definitely a middle-weight guy when it comes to bikes. Something around 400 lbs. and 500-550cc seems to fit me and my riding habits and skills just right.
I had a ZRX1100 once and it was amazing. I never saw redline on it! Second gear power wheelies without even trying. And I just sold a 2012 Triumph Tiger Xc. That Triumph triple is one awesome engine. Power and torque for days without even trying. But I took it to the Tail of the Dragon this year and simply wasn't comfortable on it. Too big, too tall, and too powerful.
Give me a middle weight and I can ride them harder and with much more confidence!

I'm beginning to see that parts for the Hondas are a little easier to come by. Any go-to vendors for the Suzuki?
 
A before and after of my '73 CB500.
Now has a 550 engine, ported and polished head, 1.00mm oversized intake valves, CB650 cam and custom exhaust. Lester mags on a '00 R6 front end, iKon shocks, 400F pegs and bars, and lots of other subtle touches.



 
And with it's baby brother, the Interceptor.




And the Ascot. Not the most powerful bike in the world, but smooth power and possibly the most fun to ride of the bunch.


 
Scott S said:
It was listed as an '80.
Google images show the red bikes with both red and black side covers. Are either correct?
Click to expand...

That red paint is not factory. Side covers are supposed to be painted tank/tail color and have pinstriping. You can look up this sort of detail in the parts fishe at partzilla or alpha sports.
 
Nessism said:
That red paint is not factory. Side covers are supposed to be painted tank/tail color and have pinstriping. You can look up this sort of detail in the parts fishe at partzilla or alpha sports.
Click to expand...

It will most likely be a resto-custom, so I'm not too concerned with correctness.

I read your "newbies" post and have found the online manuals. I use the parts fiche to cross reference parts, but they often don't show color or stripe differences.

I'll do my research but I'm still gonna ask questions! The good news is, I can take advice and follow directions.

I think the GS is handsome and I'm looking forward to learning about it.
 
Scott S said:
It will most likely be a resto-custom, so I'm not too concerned with correctness.

I read your "newbies" post and have found the online manuals. I use the parts fiche to cross reference parts, but they often don't show color or stripe differences.
Click to expand...

In the Suzuki parts fishe you can look up things like the fuel tank P/N and when you see a third - number such as XXXXX-XXXXX-ABC the ABC part references a color code. In later years though Suzuki superseded some part numbers with only one part number with the understanding that the user would have to repaint. It can get a bit consuming. Alpha Sports fishe is one of the better ones since it shows the older p/n's most of the time so you can judge supersession.
 
You can see in my signature that, I, too, am a Honda guy. The one thing I noticed almost immediately when I started on my GS1000, was how easy everything came apart and went back together. That bike changed the way I thought about other brands. One of the best decisions I ever made. I still love my Hondas, but now have a whole new appreciation for Suzuki engineering.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top