Newbie through and through

[Saberith]

Hey folks! I recently (2 years ago) saved a 79 GS550E from a lonely life on the Canadian prairies, left outside for 10+ years I convinced the neglectful owner to part with the bike for 80$ and a case of beer.

It had been put through the ringer, the previous owner had dreams of turning it into a Cafe racer/ Bobber/ Scrambler ect ect, with most of the original parts missing, I plan on keeping that dream alive but I want things done right, no cut corners, no shoddy electrical... I want it in peek condition of its Frankenstein former life.

So far this is what I've been able to reverse google in the parts bin I've been given:

Motogadget M-Unit Basic​
A set of Knock off Mo.Switch switches
Cheap Chinese Pods
DynaTek DS3-2 Ignition system
Set of Ignition Coils + Caps (possible Chinese)
Crotch Rocket handle bars
Break and Clutch levers
2/4 Cylinder Carb Sync kit
3 Oil Filters (Unused)
G310GS/G310R Rear fender
a Break light That says FU** in cursive
Knock off aftermarket Left and Right exhausts
XR250 Speedometer

A few of the items I might keep but I plan on getting reputable parts to replace most

I have a vision of what I want it to look like and I hope I'll do it justice by ya'll here!

and because my ADHD wont let me sit still I also have a 1974 Honda.. but that's not why I'm here..

 

[rphillips]

I's glad to see you "saved" a "79" GS550E... then I read the rest of your post and realized our idea of "saved" is totally different... Good luck with your endeavor, hope it all comes together to your liking.

 

[Zellock]

Very nice find, congrats!

I'd say skip those pods and stick that airbox; if you go with the pods, you're going to have a long fun time rejetting the carbs (which also probably need a clean; but it's worth it to not replace the carbs either)

Looks like you may have some slight starting electrical issues with that headlamp pulled out; that's where a lot of your main wires run to. I'd definitely search out a wire chart for those connections.

It looks great; hope you enjoy your journies!

 

[Saberith]

I have high hopes, and I'm too stubborn to quit haha, I've deep cleaned the Carbs and have spent a pretty penny on a carb kit for the Pods, went through a site called 6sigmajetkit, and I 100% understand why it would be smart to stick with the OEM airbox, I'm willing to put in the time and effort plus if I don't struggle I won't learn.

Thankfully I've got good compression and I've had the bike idling not great but she did idle haha, but the points failed.

My current issue is wiring, as it always will be.

I've installed the dynatek points replacement but for some reason I have constant power to the coils, I think I found a wiring diagram but it's like a caveman finding a cellphone, between headaches I'm learning slowly ill attach photos of the issues when im home!

 

[Saberith]

So this is the dilemma, Currently wired the Dynatek (points replacement) within the specs of the instructions, and followed 2 YT videos just to be absolutely sure, but with the battery hooked up and key on the coils have constant power, key off no power - Thankfully. (The OEM Coils were missing so I used the knockoffs and I assume they're the issue replacements will be ordered ASAP)

But why would power be consistent to the coils? would a ageing part be to blame? Ignore the blue wire its attached to the trouble light as a extension!

after reading through the forums the next big undertaking will be replacing the R/R with the SH775, less dangly parts the better!

 

[Grimly]

The ignition switch supplies constant 12V to the coils and the other legs of the coils are individually connected to the ignitor box (in the OEM setup) or the Dyna box in the new system you have. The ignitor / Dyna switches the grounding of the coils on and off to give you the sparkz.

 

[Rob S.]

It had been put through the ringer, the previous owner had dreams of turning it into a Cafe racer/ Bobber/ Scrambler...

That explains the padded sissy bar...each:

 

[Saberith]

The ignition switch supplies constant 12V to the coils and the other legs of the coils are individually connected to the ignitor box (in the OEM setup) or the Dyna box in the new system you have. The ignitor / Dyna switches the grounding of the coils on and off to give you the sparkz.

Alright that's what I figured, So I'm just doing something wrong when trying to set my timing

 

[Saberith]

So everything is fine and nothing is on fire, yet.

Turns out there was a break in the wire harness, so this weekend was spent fixing and rebuilding what I can. Points are now firing, and wires are all nice an cleaned!

New custom battery/electronics box is welded in and wires are being rerouted, Now just waiting on the new jets for the carbs and we should be in business!

 

[salty_monk]

Do you get good voltage at the coils? Clean up all the connectors in the loom (especially the ignition switch and fuse box) and/or fit a relay. There are some write ups on that on here. You are going to want to replace the RR as well. Very well known weak spot.
K&N or APE pods are what you want. The Dynojet kits work well, never heard of the one you're using personally.

 

[Saberith]

Oh 100% I spent last weekend rebuilding broken wires from weather/wear/animals but everything has power and spark now, BUT I am in talks about buying a SH775 from Nessism I'd much rather have a single unit as a R/R to conserve space and it looks better! and I'll look at the K&N/APE Pods as the ones I have LOOK nice.. I don't trust them too much ahah​

 

[Saberith]

https://youtube.com/shorts/kuszwGGX-CE?feature=share

SHES ALIVE, now the long road to make it visually appealing, losing those ugly Crotch rocket levers, and a few other "mistakes" from the previous owner

OH and before someone says something, its a mix of a dirty camera and Exhaust fumes, door was open (small man door) and a fan was on ... Hahah

 

[rphillips]

Good to hear it running but wondering if you've checked to see all 4 cyl. are running. Been along time since I've been around an old 550, but it kind'f seems a little rough... Hope it's just me and all is good.

 

[Saberith]

Oh 100% that's the next step today, it seemed like all 4 pipes were hot not I know that's not a forsure giveaway that they're working, but it's a starting point!

 

[dgates1]

It's alive!! Sounds like a hanging idle... too lean without the airbox.

 

[Saberith]

100%, Currently getting the carbs deep cleaned and then trying our hand at rejetting, Main stock is 80 so we going to a 90 or a 100 and go from there!

Carb number 4 has a constant leak from the overflow so hoping the deep clean will help with that!