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The new member of the stable - 1980 GS550E

  • Thread starter Thread starter ChicagoBob
  • Start date Start date
C

ChicagoBob

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I just acquired this relic of the Carter administration from an estate. PO had it since 1995, and it's probably been in storage most of that time. Seems to need very little work, but I'll soon find out the whole story. About 14000 miles.

Has some interesting 80s items - case guards, luggage rack, 85mph speedo . . .

I've owned two '78 GS550s, so this will be a little bit of a learning curve.

43134690361_92907c1912_z.jpg

42230634015_c792517dc4_z.jpg
 
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ChicagoBob said:
............

I've owned two '78 GS550s, so this will be a little bit of a learning curve.

..............
Click to expand...

Not much actauly.
Different (better) carbs.
Different (better) ignition.
Slightly different (better) charging.
No headlight swtich, no kickstarter.
(assuming the 550e got all the same changes from 79 to 80 that other models got.)

Certainly a very good, well preserved example. I would say about the best you could expect to find.

.
 
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The 550E was such a good-looking bike, and that's a prime example. Nice find!
 
Looks better without the heavy 80s accessories:
43236757411_b361918859_z.jpg


Also rides much better with the clutch actuator correctly adjusted.
 
Redman said:
Not much actauly.
Different (better) carbs.
Different (better) ignition.
Slightly different (better) charging.
No headlight swtich, no kickstarter.
(assuming the 550e got all the same changes from 79 to 80 that other models got.)

Certainly a very good, well preserved example. I would say about the best you could expect to find.

.
Click to expand...

It's also got roller bearings in the stem (improvement )

and... the 1980 petcock (mixed feelings on this one) In general it's nice to have a more modern tap that you don't have to remember to to turn off but, make an extra effort not to run out of gas because the prime function seems flawed. I seem to always have to prime them by leaving them at the on position and applying external vaccum. I have experienced this on 2 1980's and even with a new oem tap. Inspect it and see if you can get the prime to work while you are in the hangar so you can be prepared on the road. Make sure the platic isn't stripped out and that it moved freely. Then, add a small flathead screwdiver that fits in the fuel tap slot to your toolkit in case you do run out of gas and need to prime it.

A minor beef with a fantastic motorcycle that had many great improvements with that year, and yours looks like a real beauty...
 
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