Potential Group Purchase - Wiseco GS650 741cc pistons

[Chuck78]

You're the one who was saying a 650 top end on a 550 wasn't worth doing anyway.

Raised runner closed chamber swirl port type head and an extra 125cc or 192cc + 10.25:1 & installed in a bike substantially lighter than a GS750/1000 (especially with additional handling upgrades) is going to really make one of the most awesome, ultimate vintage Japanese standards, hands down...

Add racetech gold valves & fork springs, $200-500 shocks, Road Riders or Sport Demons or BT45V Battlax tires, and Salty's twinpot brake mod or single 310mm disc version, 4:1 + k&n & a tuned set of carbs... this will really be the ultimate all-rounder fast nimble agile middleweight vintage Japanese machine...

 

[Ace07]

Yeah I know it's riding season, I currently have my torn down and the cases split and everything. I slacked off on the project the last couple of weeks, but I am ready to get back into it. I plan to have the frame powder coated in the next couple weeks and the engine ready to be painted next week. I will have to see if I get the grinding that is required to fit the 650 cylinders and 550 transmission.

I would like like to order the Pistons sooner rather than later just to make sure I get them here before I am ready to put them in the engine. I would be willing to be the one that orders the Pistons and once I get them ordered I can post a reciept to prove they are being made. After that people can send me the money. I just need to know an official count on who want a set. I am really glad there is a good group of us wanting to do this build. I meant to start a thread just kept forgetting. :stupid::stupid:

 

[charnotx]

Raised runner closed chamber swirl port type head and an extra 125cc or 192cc + 10.25:1 & installed in a bike substantially lighter than a GS750/1000 (especially with additional handling upgrades) is going to really make one of the most awesome, ultimate vintage Japanese standards, hands down...

Add racetech gold valves & fork springs, $200-500 shocks, Road Riders or Sport Demons or BT45V Battlax tires, and Salty's twinpot brake mod or single 310mm disc version, 4:1 + k&n & a tuned set of carbs... this will really be the ultimate all-rounder fast nimble agile middleweight vintage Japanese machine...

THIS. And if we can get a good step-by-step then all of us who are ordering these will have some serious covert sleeper screamers!

 

[Chuck78]

THIS. And if we can get a good step-by-step then all of us who are ordering these will have some serious covert sleeper screamers!

Covert? Not if using the original GS550 cams! the only thing covert about them would be the 550 badge on the side!

Any performance glasspack baffle/megaphone exhaust added to a 550 with 550 cams or bigger will sound like a throaty ripping snarling beast... 0-90mph on the wife's pods&pipes 102.5 mains vm22 needle raised 1 notch... well that acceleration always impressed me quite a bit. I barely weigh over 150 however, a 200lb rider or riding 2 up might slow it down a bit especially on uphills.
Heck when I first met my wife and started breathing real life into her basket case gs550, once I rebuilt the carbs and rejetted them, it ran so good she wouldn't let me test ride it, I had to take the pillion seat just to see how it ran as she was so eager to get on it with the carbs rebuilt properly. I still recall how well the thing would accelerate 2 up on the highway from 60-90mph from that test ride nearly 7 years ago...

I also get the pleasure of resurrecting a garage kept 77 gs550 with a Wiseco k610 kit that stalled out 20 yrs ago and the owner never got it restarted again. Very cool well preserved bike. Can't wait to get that thing ripping

 

[charnotx]

Hell, if you don't have any badging, and the side panels removed they won't even be able to guess what model it is based on the performance!

 

[tkent02]

Mine says 550 on the side. Surprise!

 

[charnotx]

I've never had the panels, so no badging for me. Only the suzuki on the tank.

 

[tkent02]

Any news on these pistons?

 

[Ace07]

I haven't got a straight answer yet. I am ready to buy now.

 

[Chuck78]

Ready to buy. Maybe we need to reach out to everyone individually and see what their financial readiness is?

 

[charnotx]

I'm on board. I'd definitely prefer a larger purchase to get the discount and make it more financially palatable.

Side note: any word on a group purchase for the gaskets (weren't they gonna have to be made by some other company)?

 

[Old Colt]

I am ready and interested in a gasket as well.

 

[Chuck78]

*Ace07
*Chuck78
*Tkent02
*Frankenwabbit
*Old Colt
Boontonmike
Tooheys
charnotx
Rob.M (?)
drey6 (??? my local friend, not ready yet)

Okay so we have 8-10 interested buyers now, 5 of which have stated they are ready to buy now (need 2 more to get the preferred pricing).

Any more confirmations on people ready to go?
Boontonmike
Tooheys
charnotx
Rob.M (?)
drey6 (???) (EDIT: Not yet, Still waiting on insurance check from lady totalling his 86 ninja last fall)

Are you guys able to get in on this soon???


My local buddy David is just starting to dig in to his GS550 heavily and buy parts to get it on the road this season. I will check with him and see where he's at financially. He did tell me compression test on the 80 550 engine showed 30psi on one cylinder... maybe needing pistons sooner? Probably valves I suspected though.

If this doesn't go through until the end of June, I may buy a 2nd set then.

 

[Chuck78]

Anyone prefer a composite gasket from Cometic? Or should we just get in touch for an estimate for the more expensive but superior multi layer steel MLS gasket custom from gasketstogo.com? ?? I gave about $120 for the last 1-off vw diesel mechanical lifter MLS head gasket they made me. A group purchase *may* get that down to $80-100 each I'd guesstimate. I am certain Cometic would be cheaper but because of the composite/fiber construction, but MLS is going to be the best.

 

[tkent02]

Anyone prefer a composite gasket from Cometic? Or should we just get in touch for an estimate for the more expensive but superior multi layer steel MLS gasket custom from gasketstogo.com? ?? I gave about $120 for the last 1-off vw diesel mechanical lifter MLS head gasket they made me. A group purchase *may* get that down to $80-100 each I'd guesstimate. I am certain Cometic would be cheaper but because of the composite/fiber construction, but MLS is going to be the best.

I want whichever will not leak the best, I think that's the MLS? I don't really know the advantages of each.

 

[Chuck78]

To provide you with a firm quotation (good for 30 days) all we need is the following

1. An image of your gasket (a cell phone snap is sufficient)
2. Length x width dimensions
3. Thickness you require
4. Quantity you are interested in

We can usually provide you with a quotation within 24 hours.

Please note that there is an initial price break at 5 gaskets that is substantial, so if you can get together with your friends to order 5 or more you will save money.

What do you need from me in order to make an MLS head gasket?

To make your gasket we need a new or used gasket (this can be returned if requested), a template, or a drawing that we can print out 1:1 (full size).

There ya go.
Does anyone know the thickness of a gasket? I wonder if he wants compressed/installed thickness and/or new unused thickness measurement? I may have a used 650 gasket laying at my old house that I could get by next week when I start moving my shop.if anyone else could beat me to it with an OEM gasket thickness, that'd be awesome!

 

[Chuck78]

I want whichever will not leak the best, I think that's the MLS? I don't really know the advantages of each.

Here ya go:

Multi-Layer Steel (MLS) Gaskets
What are they?
If you are running a high performance engine you probably already know that a multi-layer steel (MLS) head gasket is the only type of gasket likely to meet your engine's requirements. Multi-layer steel head gaskets are made from thin spring stainless steel sheets. The outer sheets are coated with a compound to improve sealing, and are embossed in critical areas. The sheets are held together on the perimeter by small brass rivets for installation.
How do they work?
MLS gaskets work by exerting an outward force due to their spring nature, so that they take up the slack when your engine's head moves up and down thousands of times per minute under load. Because they are made from spring stainless steel they are also much stronger than conventional composite head gaskets.

 

[tkent02]

Anyone got a 650 gasket they can use? I may get a 650 head from the local moto wrecker tomorrow, I can probably grab the gasket too.

 

[Chuck78]

Also wondering if I should solicit any interest from DoTheTon.com and caferacer.net? I've seen several very cool gs550 projects over there as well by people that don't post here much.

 

[Old Colt]

If an order goes in for an MLS I will go that way otherwise I will Oring the block and use copper. I thought someone here had some of the ebay gaskets available but he did not reply to PM.