"Goose", My 1980 Suzuki GS550

[240punk]

I just found this forum and I sure am glad.

Bought this not too long ago and have kept it simple.

Having some trouble with my base gasket but havent had the time to tear it down.

 

[Big R]

I like it! When you get a chance, how about some details? Air filter, tail light, keeping the instrument cluster, etc?

 

[240punk]

Air filter is some mesh KN copy. Needs a good cleaning. Carbs really need a go through. Dreading that.
Tail light is part of the plate mount on the left side. It's lame and came on the bike.
Cluster is getting taken off and replaced with only a Tach with shift light.
Need an idea for some kind of padding for the seat.
Clutch also needs to be adjusted but Im not really sure how to go about that.

This is my first motorcycle and Im really stoked about it. Absolutely loving it. But already wanting something faster haha go figure.

Also any socal people hit me up with rides.

 

[240punk]

http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y59/240punk/?action=view&current=aac183af.mp4

 

[Big R]

Unless the PO did it, plan on getting new orings for the intake boots. And maybe even new intake boots too........There are a couple different places to get padding foam. The carbs themselves shouldn't be TOO bad, but I've never done 550 carbs. Do you have a service manual yet? And you should check in over at the GSResources too. Not trying to turn you away from DTT, but those folks know every nut and bolt on older Suzukis.

 

[240punk]

Got a manual and another member told me about that site. Thanks for the heads up about the intake. I'll check it out when I go to clean the carbs this weekend. Goose is my only transportation so down time has to be minimal. This happened yesterday:

A little wiring....

And good as new. No reason it shouldn't always be on anyways haha.

A few random pictures:

My exhaust really needs some love.

 

[240punk]

Well I noticed yesterday that my bike was smoking a bit and today it was smoking quite a bit more and losing power. I've burned a good amount of oil the last few days so I guess Ill be pulling the motor, cleaning it all out, replacing all seals, and maybe throwing some paint on it.
This will be a good opportunity to fix up the oil cooler, replace the clutch and tune the carbs.

Bummed because now Ill be borrowing my girlfriends car for the week.
Local shop said its a two week wait :'(

 

[240punk]

Went on a long ride today around some canyon roads. Anyone here know cooks corner? Thats where I ended up.

 

[240punk]

Spent some time cleaning the carbs. Makes me wonder if they are even jetted correctly. I should probably look up what stock jets are in a gs550. Found a few little clogged spots so hopefully this helps with my crappy idle. The smoke is getting worse and worse. I'll be picking up another motor to rebuild so I can keep riding and not worry about down time. Also found out the crap filters that came on the bike are actually k and n. Bummer.

This weekend I'll be welding up some tabs to make my rear sets more stable as well as getting new tires, grips, and gloves. The money is starting to trickle in.

 

[peteGSX]

Mate that's a nice lookin' 550!

If you're having grief with the carbs or anything, you definitely wanna get on the GSR, but don't leave here of course My 450 wouldn't be where it is without the GSR... but I'm glad I got on here now too

 

[240punk]

Im on GSR but I like this forum better.
Im familiar with carbs, but the hardest part was getting the row by the clutch cable.
Idles like a champ ;D
Also took the baffle out of my pipe...

Headache loud and love it.

 

[peteGSX]

Cool, glad to hear she's running well!


I think the two forums serve completely different purposes... GSR is great for the GS gurus when you got stuff you just can't figure out, but here's great for when you want the cool custom stuff goin' on...

 

[240punk]

Quick update.
The smoking is getting to the point of embarrassment and the multiple oils leaks leave my garage floor looking like a mechanical murder scene.
I still ride it every day, I'm bad, but I have a spare engine I'll be tearing into this week. More pictures later.

 

[peteGSX]

I think your dog lost its shoes...

 

[jeunemotard]

where did you bought the rear cowl and how muc did it cost??

 

[bikeboy]

Nice little bike. Couple of questions.

Is that a Pirelli Phantom on the back? It looks near new? If it is, where did you get it, and if it's not-chuck it out. It's gotta be25+ years old?

Lastly, Is that a Healer? How could you put leg-ins on a Healer Poor little thing will never recover.

Have fun with the bike.

cheers
ian

 

[240punk]

Haha yes its a Phantom. Bad shape but new tires are on the way.
Australian cattle dog, red heeler, queensland heeler, ya hes silly.

 

[240punk]

New motor. Crossing my fingers that it's good because I just don't have the time to tear it apart.

Frame for my ground up build. Also have forks. Just need some spoke wheels, a custom tank, and...... Well..... The rest of the bike haha.

 

[240punk]

Old engine out.

New engine in and my little brother helping out. Good man.
Only problem is I cant run the oil cooler with this engine so now I have incentive to rebuild the other. Hopefully have it running today.

 

[dansofield550]

tell ya little bro the dogs got his socks ;D