this might sound stupid sorry

[jh_husker]

Hello

my name is josh and i have recently bought my first new motorcycle a couple of months back and i do not know much about them. I am just finishing up with the paint and then it is road ready but i was wondering if i can put any exhaust on the motorcycle or does it have to be the stock one. I own a 1983 GS550E. I wanted something like this http://store.skatelink.com/mosugsgsgsya1.html . if i could use a new exhaust what would i have to do to make it work. I also wanted to try to put fairing mirrors on it instead of having my mirrors on my handle bars. something like this http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/...02245/p-2002245/N-111+10211+600014486/c-10111 sorry if my questons are stupid.:-|

 

[oldryder]

the fairing mirrors won't work as you'll have no base for mounting. There are many many aftermarket outlets for mirrors. Before you buy find out how far you need the stalks to be so you can see past your elbows. many stock and aftermarket mirrors show you little more than your shoulders or elbows because they're not wide enough.

the muffler you show is the wrong one for your bike. there should be some aftermarket options for your bike. try vendors like oldbikebarn.com. guys her should be able to give you a lot of other possible sources for both exhaust and mirrors. most are simple bolt on that anyone can install. For more money you may be able to get a complete exhaust if ones available for your older bike.

 

[jh_husker]

thank you for your reply. how well do end bar mirrors work. would i still be able to see the same amount or close to as the stock mirror.

 

[bonanzadave]

Josh,

There are no stupid questions here until you get into the off topic area.

May I suggest a model specific exhaust unless your into making modifications.

Do you have a fairing now or do you want one ? Look at the pictures in the Gallery to get some ideas of what you want the bike to look like.

Welcome.

 

[TheCafeKid]

thank you for your reply. how well do end bar mirrors work. would i still be able to see the same amount or close to as the stock mirror.

I have run bar ends on quite a few bikes. Most of the cheaper sets (and even some of the good ones) tend to be very "buzzy" BUT as a fellow member and friend of mine put it nicely, you dont necessarily need to see it clearly to know you dont want to be in that lane. I like em, they are out of the way, and i think asthectically speaking, look much nicer. JMO.
Welcome to the GSR.

 

[p_s]

I don't think any bolt-on exhausts have been made for the 83-86 550s for several years. I did see an ugly 4-1 V&H pipe with the canister on the end for that model on ebay not long ago, so they do come up from time to time. Maybe post a WTB ad in the parts section here.

There seem to be a lot of aftermarket pipes for earlier 550s. :|

 

[skreemer]

They still make and sell GSX550 exhausts... they are just bloody expensive... and shipping will cost an arm and a leg... here's the link to one of the sites in the UK I found... http://www.gear4bikes.com/acatalog/Suzuki_Exhausts.html BTW 302 british pounds is over 600$ US...
cheapest so far has been here http://www.bbbikeshop.co.uk/acatalog/GSX550.html at 229.13 pounds.. about 460$ US

 

[p_s]

They still make and sell GSX550 exhausts... they are just bloody expensive... and shipping will cost an arm and a leg... here's the link to one of the sites in the UK I found... http://www.gear4bikes.com/acatalog/Suzuki_Exhausts.html BTW 302 british pounds is over 600$ US...
cheapest so far has been here http://www.bbbikeshop.co.uk/acatalog/GSX550.html at 229.13 pounds.. about 460$ US

Wow.
Does it come with the upper flanges (what are they called?) and the bracket for the frame mount or is that extra? It's got to be cheaper to have a muffler shop use some heat to convince a more affordable 4-1 to bolt up.

 

[Zooks]

No silly questions. Everyones gotta learn sometime. Welcome aboard.

Have a look at my thread about bar end mirrors here - http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=121029&page=1

 

[skreemer]

Wow.
Does it come with the upper flanges (what are they called?) and the bracket for the frame mount or is that extra? It's got to be cheaper to have a muffler shop use some heat to convince a more affordable 4-1 to bolt up.

From what I've seen they are just not made or imported to the US anymore. Right around 400 - 450 for some reason I find acceptable for new pipes that aren't manufactured anymore. It's the shipping costs that put them way over the top.

If I knew how to weld of knew of a place that could make em one off for somewhere south of 400$ I'd be on it in a heart beat. Though it looks like I might just have to suck it up and get em blasted again and repaint them. It's a fairly cheap process with the media blast costing 30 - 40$ and high heat grill paint only being a few dollars a can. It just sucks taking them off getting them treated and replacing the head/header gaskets and putting them back on. I keep having nightmares of snapping a bolt off in the head.

 

[SPARKSS]

Hello

my name is josh and i have recently bought my first new motorcycle a couple of months back and i do not know much about them. I am just finishing up with the paint and then it is road ready but i was wondering if i can put any exhaust on the motorcycle or does it have to be the stock one. I own a 1983 GS550E. I wanted something like this http://store.skatelink.com/mosugsgsgsya1.html . if i could use a new exhaust what would i have to do to make it work. I also wanted to try to put fairing mirrors on it instead of having my mirrors on my handle bars. something like this http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/...02245/p-2002245/N-111+10211+600014486/c-10111 sorry if my questons are stupid.:-|

Howdy Josh and welcome to the site. The only stupid question is the one not asked! I would suggest that when making up the header for any posts, that you be quite specific however with what you're looking for as it helps the people who might wish to help YOU. For example, instead of the "stupid question" line.......put something like 1983 GS550E exhaust/mirror?

I keyed on a couple of points in your post......first that this is your first motorcycle and that you feel you don't know anything about them. If your existing exhaust is intact (serviceable), I'd ride your bike for awhile, deciding whether it's what you want to put some effort into (such as your painting) and, for example, whether the stock mirrors are all that bad (remember they have to serve a purpose besides look cool!) - read up and ask about exhaust systems and problems inherent in replacing them (such as getting the bolts out of the head.....interference problems with existing kickstands and necessary stuff, like oil drain and filter clearance!).

Thats my .02 worth sir

 

[p_s]

If I knew how to weld of knew of a place that could make em one off for somewhere south of 400$ I'd be on it in a heart beat. Though it looks like I might just have to suck it up and get em blasted again and repaint them. It's a fairly cheap process with the media blast costing 30 - 40$ and high heat grill paint only being a few dollars a can. It just sucks taking them off getting them treated and replacing the head/header gaskets and putting them back on. I keep having nightmares of snapping a bolt off in the head.

It looks like I will have to do an annual sand and paint of my pipes. Next time I think I'll put studs in the head. Still, I think a good muffler shop should be able to make or modify an exhaust system to suit. They have the right tools.

 

[Griffin]

It looks like I will have to do an annual sand and paint of my pipes. Next time I think I'll put studs in the head. Still, I think a good muffler shop should be able to make or modify an exhaust system to suit. They have the right tools.

My Seca uses studs with nuts holding the exhaust pipe on. Even after it sat in a barn for a decade, the rusted nuts came right off after a good shot of Liquid Wrench. The "pucker factor" for removing the exhaust was drastically reduced.

I'll do the same to my GSes if I ever remove the exhausts on them for some reason.

 

[skreemer]

The Motad guys came through with a US source for the system. I'll give them a call today and see what the cost is through the distibutor...

Annitori Distributing Ltd
265 Jamie Lane
Wauconda IL 60084
USA

847-526-6100

 

[Zooks]

Heat the exhaust nuts to dull red with a flame from a butane torch, like a plumber uses (or oxy if you have one), first and let them cool. They should come off fairly easily.