Very smoky gs 550

[kiwi rider]

Hi Ive just got a gs550 1980 that's been idle for ten years.The head and barrels have been off looking at the photos before i brought it they are painted and theirs new base and head gaskets just rebuilt the carbs with all new Suzuki parts new manifold and air box rubbers not copy's and new regulator starts and runs well but smokes BADLY.I am going to have to strip it down it was an older restore and put in a museum can you still buy rings and pistons if so where thanks Graham. i also have a question in the fuel forum.

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[hillsy]

Rings might just be stuck. You might be able to loosen them up after a few heat cycles.

 

[fastbysuzuki]

Better to do the maintenance first.
As said before the rings may be stuck in the pistons, try dropping a spoon of oil down every bore let it sit overnight or maybe a day then take the bike out for a decent run 20 miles or more and stretch its legs see if that helps.
Maybe worn rings, may be the valve seals have dried out.
after you have given it a good run test the compression and report your findings, remove all the spark plugs first,test when engine is hot and hold the throttle wide open when testing.

 

[Guest]

Yep, run it for a while first before tearing into it.

 

[Steve]

Sounds like a good candidate for an "Italian Tune-up". :encouragement:

.

 

[ukjules]

Couldnt agree more with posts.
Dont pull it to bits yet , definitely do some more research !

Need info on: when does it smoke ? when starting only ? co lour of smoke ?
Does it smoke when its warmed up ? If so is it better or same.

Tuning all done ? ? Valves clearances set ?
And of course lets get the tuning right - timing, Carbs balanced, mixture ...... while you think on the test results.

p.s you can buy anything for them ! and you have the coolest of bikes !

 

[kiwi rider]

thanks for the reply's ill let you know the result but its bad it pushes oil out exhaust joints

 

[kiwi rider]

lots of blue and oil out exhaust joints i have balanced carbs its is engine oil smoke

 

[kiwi rider]

I also have a 19 z1300 gsx1100 z1r honda 400/4 gs1150 cbx1000 gtr1400 but the z1300 is being a pain also thank Graham

 

[Steve]

Not quite sure how a 19 fits Z1300, but feel free to send it my way. :-k

I had one of the first KZ1300s with a license plate on the streets of Los Angeles, back in April of 1979.

Turned it into a full-dresser, enjoyed every minute that I had it. :encouragement:

.

 

[kiwi rider]

ops was supposed to be 1979 z1300

 

[kiwi rider]

I oiled the bores when i first got it and turned it over by hand ive just put some anti fogging oil down the bores and ill run it again tomorrow

 

[ukjules]

You must check the compression .

Seems odd that you say it has been in bits with new gaskets
but whoever did it didn't do the obvious ? Valve seals.
Or did they ? If they did its rings .

Mine used to smoke badly at start up (bluey white ) and a bit when
out on the road accelerating. Compression was not
too bad either.
No oil from exhaust though.
I did a top end rebuild , valve seals , lapped valves
and new gaskets and is now ok.
I didn't touch barrels , pistons , rings.

Check the compression first.
Then its:
Head off, look at gaskets ?
Look at bores
do valve seals , lap valves
Rings if necessary.
Back together with oem head gasket at least.

 

[tkent02]

If you decide to do a top end rebuild, consider using a 650 top end. 50% more torque and power for the price of some used parts and a couple gaskets is well worth doing.

 

[kiwi rider]

run it up hot tonight the hotter it gets the worse it runs only get 120psi per cylinder and its oil fouling plugs and doesn't like starting hot am going to pull it down this weekend loosened header bolts while was hot.

 

[kiwi rider]

what is needed to do a 650 conversion

 

[ukjules]

Def get this sorted quick I reckon if when head
off you do valve seals and clearances.
Suzuki limit for compression on gs550 I am sure
is 92.4!
I don't think 120 is too bad . My bike ran for years
On 120 wet test. They however say spec is 128-171.

All depends on difference between doing wet and dry ?
If 20% increase after adding oil it points to rings.

Could it be the head gasket components ?
O ring round chain guard pinched? I rings on outer head bolts.

Do as your doing and you can't go wrong but must do valve seals.
Gs 550's need to be saved !

 

[hillsy]

You can still have good compression but burn oil if the oil rings are worn / stuck.

 

[tkent02]

what is needed to do a 650 conversion

650 head, cylinders, pistons. New base gasket, valve cover gasket and head gasket. Your carbs may need slightly different jetting.

You will need to split the cases, to hog out the top case to fit the 650's larger cylinder sleeves. Can be done with a Dremel or a die grinder, but it takes the removal of quite a bit of metal.

 

[kiwi rider]

thanks for all the reply s i will let you all know how i get on and i wish you all a merry xmas