does anyone have an opinion of them? i know someone selling one for whit i think is cheap for a complete bike. it will nee a new tank or i will need to learn how to clean rust out of it. other then that it has all oem parts including the tires (in good shape). well i guess let me know what you all think would be a good price and over all opinion of the bike in general.
72 suzuki gt550
- Thread starter griff 73
- Start date
loudest143
Insert sense of humor here---->
It's a 3 cylinder smoker, aka two stroke. Two stroke means you're combining oil into the fuel. Some older two strokes had issues with the oil injection system, and many people ran their oil mixture right in the tank and bypassed the old oil injection system. I have no information on whether or not this model was a good example of a good working mixture system. I can tell you, that it will very likely be difficult to find parts for a 3 cylinder pre-GS Suzuki.
Regular 4 stroke, 4 cylinder Suzukis from their GS series of bikes are pretty easy to come by. There are probably compatible parts, but I might take a look through a couple of parts websites to see how easy it is to find parts for this bike. Even though it's complete, it's old. Old stuff needs repaired and replaced, and you would hate to be unprepared for a difficult search. Maybe you're the kind of guy that has the time and money for that type of thing. Mabye you view it as a challenge. Rebuilding a bike is a VERY rewarding hobby, and you most certainly can't go wrong with buying a vintage Suzuki. They are both fun to ride and beautiful, IMHO.
Couple of sites for you to enjoy while you decide....
http://www.suzukicycles.org/ -- database of every Suzuki ever built, with pictures. Yum. It's gearhead porn.
http://crc2onlinecatalog.com/ -- great old bike parts site.
http://www.z1enterprises.com/ -- I think I read somewhere that the guy who owns this site is a Suzuki owner. Parts site.
http://www.thegsresources.com/ -- And of course, the best forum for Suzuki guys in the world. Ask your same question over there. Bound to get some outstanding advice.
Enjoy the journey.
loudest143
82 Suzuki GS850G
Regular 4 stroke, 4 cylinder Suzukis from their GS series of bikes are pretty easy to come by. There are probably compatible parts, but I might take a look through a couple of parts websites to see how easy it is to find parts for this bike. Even though it's complete, it's old. Old stuff needs repaired and replaced, and you would hate to be unprepared for a difficult search. Maybe you're the kind of guy that has the time and money for that type of thing. Mabye you view it as a challenge. Rebuilding a bike is a VERY rewarding hobby, and you most certainly can't go wrong with buying a vintage Suzuki. They are both fun to ride and beautiful, IMHO.
Couple of sites for you to enjoy while you decide....
http://www.suzukicycles.org/ -- database of every Suzuki ever built, with pictures. Yum. It's gearhead porn.
http://crc2onlinecatalog.com/ -- great old bike parts site.
http://www.z1enterprises.com/ -- I think I read somewhere that the guy who owns this site is a Suzuki owner. Parts site.
http://www.thegsresources.com/ -- And of course, the best forum for Suzuki guys in the world. Ask your same question over there. Bound to get some outstanding advice.
Enjoy the journey.
loudest143
82 Suzuki GS850G
loudest143
Insert sense of humor here---->
According to suzukicycles.org, the 72 started off with a drum, then switched permanently to a disc part way through the model year. I would think that would make the drum brake version highly sought after. Good luck!
loudest143
loudest143
I'm no expert on the 550 Suzuki, but I believe they were quite reliable. They don't have the "personaliy" 
of a Kawi Triple, but that might be a good thing!! In any case, you'd have a machine that's more than a little "out of the ordinary"!
I know with the Kawasaki Triples, there's a huge motorcycle sub-culture that's totally devoted to them and I'd be willing to bet you'll find the same for the Suzook Triples!
I think you're way ahead of the game if you can get it as a runner for $300!! Even it it blows up on you, you could part out what's left and easily make back your investment!
Be warned though! Once you get into a 2 stroke, you might not ever wanta let it go!! 8)
Good luck!
of a Kawi Triple, but that might be a good thing!! In any case, you'd have a machine that's more than a little "out of the ordinary"!I know with the Kawasaki Triples, there's a huge motorcycle sub-culture that's totally devoted to them and I'd be willing to bet you'll find the same for the Suzook Triples!
I think you're way ahead of the game if you can get it as a runner for $300!! Even it it blows up on you, you could part out what's left and easily make back your investment!
Be warned though! Once you get into a 2 stroke, you might not ever wanta let it go!! 8)
Good luck!
isolato
Been Around the Block
I've been looking for a gt550 for about a month. that's not long so I can't say if they are scarce. plus 1 to all said above me though, fr brake included, 72 only, 550 & 750 the same. I have the brake, I just need the bike. any year. I just want a tripple and to be different than Kaw. (different price than Kaw too) I also like that weird "ram air" thing on top of the motor (the 380 just like it) looks good polished up. ...... so buy it ... sell it to me.. :-X or not. good luck with it. cheers!
