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Login to post Forums » Sprockets » Project: 1982 Suzuki GS550

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March 4, 2010 10:49 p.m. CarKid1989 HalfDork

Newest project for me is a 1982 Suzuki GS550L. Bike has 8,XXX miles and seems to be ok.

Thats me. In case you need to put a screen name to a face.

Anyhow.

Things that need to be addressed:

-Gauges dont work

-fuse block is finiky

-carbs could use cleaning

-front forks are toast (could just be seals and oil tho?)

-Could use tires most likely.

My plan is to build something like this in the end:

Im picking up a free set of drag bars tomorow so thats a start.

Things i need help with:

-i have an "L" model bike which was for touring, which means huge front whell and tiny rear (19front and 16 rear i think) and also weird forks. is there a set of forks i could swap straight over to this bike? (modern sport bike? i like that look) and/or wheel info so i have same size front and rear wheel 35mm forks btw

-i want a clean look for the gauges. any one have any suggestions for a CHEAP all in one guage? if not i was planing on a large center speedo with a pretty small tach flanking it.

Well thanks for tuning in and ill keep this updated for your viewing pleasure
March 4, 2010 11:03 p.m. RealMiniDriver Dork

Nice find!

CarKid1989 wrote: -i want a clean look for the gauges. any one have any suggestions for an all in one guage? if not i was planing on a large center speedo with a pretty small tach flanking it.
Not cheap, but would look kickass on a cafe.
March 5, 2010 5:38 a.m. 914Driver SuperDork

GS-450. Total investment <$1,000.
March 5, 2010 7:53 a.m. CarKid1989 HalfDork

914Driver wrote:

GS-450. Total investment <$1,000.

Bike looks nice. I like the cafe look with the hump on the seat back but i might need room for two at time
March 5, 2010 8:13 a.m. 924guy Dork

I had a 82' gs550ES , the electrics were moody as well. I sold it in 05 but if i recall, after i changed the magneto and the fuse box, out put voltage was allot more stable. the magneto out put would vary widely, which was effecting the rest of the system, it was a weird issue id never seen before. overall it was an awesome set up for an old cheap bike.
March 5, 2010 10:08 a.m. milkmandan New Reader

for a cheap dash, look into a Trail Tech Vapor

http://trailtech.net/vapor.html

might not be the style you want, but I have one on my SV and it works great.
March 7, 2010 5:21 p.m. CarKid1989 HalfDork

Well, i took the bike out for a quick spin Saturday to make sure it runs and shifts and all that fun stuff. Carbs are for sure gonna need to be cleaned. Im dreading it...a lot. i dunno much bout carbs.

Started tearing down the bike a bit.

On Friday I picked up a free set of drag bars for the bike. They make it look perfect.

I mounted them and used ratchet straps to lower the front and i think i love the stance. I want it a bit lower front and back though.

Need to rebuild carbs. Need to figure out shorter cables for the brakes, clutch, etc. Need to figure out how to lower the bike.

Ideas on any of the above? Thoughts?

Good bad?

I really like how the bike is coming together now. Its starting to look like what i had in my head.
March 9, 2010 9:28 a.m. 914Driver SuperDork

Shorter shocks in the back.

Loosen the allens holding the fork tubes in the triple tree and slide the tubes up, ensure the bike is supported and level when finished.

Dan
March 10, 2010 11:47 p.m. CarKid1989 HalfDork

Got to workin on it some more. Carbs, airbox, entire exhaust is off, passenger foot pegs, rear fenders, sissy bar, all off. The wiring is labeled and to the side.

carbs look decent outside and great inside but it ran kinda funky so a rebuild might be in order.

As it sits as of tonight. Its going great so far.

Been toying with the idea a bit more of throwing on modern forks and brakes and all that, just to give the bike a different fresh look.

Having fun so far and hope it continues to be fun

Shot of the garage and my toys. I love having the room, parents...well not so much haha
March 11, 2010 8:07 a.m. minimac Dork

I posted this too late for you.....Before tearing into the carbs, try running the bike with some denatured alcohol in the gas. Don't let the rpms drop below 1k, and it will smell funky, but does an awesome job of clearing out gum and old gas deposits.
March 11, 2010 11:08 a.m. dumptruck

hey i have the same bike but it is still in storage about 30 miles out of town.. i was wondering if you could get the measurement from the end the tank to the end the frame( where the seat should be). i am planning on doing something similar but with a different style seat. thanks
March 11, 2010 11:10 a.m. 914Driver SuperDork

Are you keeping the airbox?

Dan
March 11, 2010 11:20 a.m. dumptruck New Reader

examples..
March 11, 2010 2:05 p.m. sobe_death Reader

For an AIO gauge, try the Acewell. I am a fan of the round ones at the bottom.

http://www.acewell.co.uk/en_uk/motorcycle/index.htm
March 11, 2010 4:59 p.m. dumptruck New Reader

also are you going to get a different tank?? the 82 gs550 tank is very round... how about a earlier gs550 or a 70's cb tank?
March 11, 2010 7:23 p.m. CarKid1989 HalfDork

ill take measurements tomorrow.ill take em from tank bolts to the end of the frame in back? sound good?

Also, i plan on ditching the airbox and going with pod filters.

tank wise, im still not sure. this one looks a bit funky to me but ill see what else is out there
March 11, 2010 9:24 p.m. dumptruck New Reader

CarKid1989 wrote:

ill take measurements tomorrow.ill take em from tank bolts to the end of the frame in back? sound good?

Also, i plan on ditching the airbox and going with pod filters.

tank wise, im still not sure. this one looks a bit funky to me but ill see what else is out there

sounds good to me thanks!

from what i have heard pod filters are crap.. but the internet can lie

and you should check out ebay and other bike forums. the cb 550, 750 super sport(70's and 80's) look like the white bike you posted earlier. just a suggestion.
March 12, 2010 5:25 p.m. CarKid1989 HalfDork

ok....

Distance from the bolt for the gas tank to the rear most tip of the frame is 23.5 inches

Distance from bolt for gas tank to the shock mounts (apx) is 12.25 to 12.75 inches apx.

Lemme know what else you may need.

Whats so bad about pod filters? i pulled a video offline with a GS550 Cafe and it had PODs. seem to run great. granted it was a video and i know jack about the actual bike but still.

What other options do i have?
March 12, 2010 6:38 p.m. dumptruck New Reader

thanks.. forgot to ask about the width at the tank, shocks, and end..

only thing that i heard is bad about the pods is that they are hard to sink. heres a like with a guy hating on them and a guy kinda liking them. it is on a cb550 though http://www.caferacer.net/forum.html

you still have that vidoe?
March 12, 2010 8:01 p.m. stuart in mn SuperDork

If you go with individual air cleaners, you will have to fool around with the jetting and adjustments on the carburetors - there's no two ways around it. If it were my bike I'd get things running well with the stock setup first, then worry about modifications once you have a good baseline.
March 12, 2010 8:31 p.m. 914Driver SuperDork

Go up a few bites, I asked if CarKid was keeping the air box.

I've built a few bikes and all of them had a flat spot just above idle. Cycle World service/tech articles addressed this and explained it so even I could understand it. I understand it but can't explain it; if I find the article I will send it to you.

Bottom line is, K&N or whatever individuals will kill performance as opposed to the box. I don't get it, I don't like it, but I've totally seen it in my last four projects.

If you find a way around this phenomena please let me know.

Dan
March 13, 2010 8:49 a.m. CarKid1989 HalfDork

dumptruck wrote:

you still have that vidoe?

GS550 Cafe video...POD filters
March 13, 2010 6:21 p.m. dumptruck New Reader

that is one sweet bike
March 13, 2010 8:13 p.m. alex Dork

Pod filters with no other changes will kill performance, because the fuel/air mixture is sub-optimal. A proper re-jet is required, and if the tuning is right, you'll get more power out of the engine.
March 13, 2010 10:01 p.m. oldsaw Dork

CarKid1989 wrote:

dumptruck wrote:

you still have that vidoe?

GS550 Cafe video...POD filters

I love/hate this thread; it reminds me of my old GS550M, equipped with a GS1000S fairing.

The video brings smiles as the old Katana had a Yosh 4-1 pipe that made similar sounds.

The bike:

The fairing:

Keep up the good work. The pod filters will work with perserverance and experimentation.

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