1978 Suzuki GS 550 E >>>>NEW PICS!!!<<<<
- Thread starter brainrush
- Start date
brainrush
Active Member
Re: 1978 Suzuki GS 550 E
I'm 6' tall, and I was just posing for the pic (I couldn't see past the speedo). As for using the stock cowling, I'd say go for it! the only issues I've had is that the license plate is probably going to have to be relocated, and the bump-stop is a little wider than I'd like. The signals are from the PO, they have that cheapo "carbon fiber" paint job on the bodies, clear lenses with amber bulbs looks out of place on a bike of this vintage, and I saw similar ones without the CF paint and amber lenses on a gixxer mounted as front turn signals, the guy said they were stock so that's probably what they were meant for.
I'm uploading pics from my phone, so as soon as I finish that and have breakfast, I'll start the write up.
I'm 6' tall, and I was just posing for the pic (I couldn't see past the speedo). As for using the stock cowling, I'd say go for it! the only issues I've had is that the license plate is probably going to have to be relocated, and the bump-stop is a little wider than I'd like. The signals are from the PO, they have that cheapo "carbon fiber" paint job on the bodies, clear lenses with amber bulbs looks out of place on a bike of this vintage, and I saw similar ones without the CF paint and amber lenses on a gixxer mounted as front turn signals, the guy said they were stock so that's probably what they were meant for.
I'm uploading pics from my phone, so as soon as I finish that and have breakfast, I'll start the write up.
tWistedWheelz
BUILT NOT BOUGHT!
Re: 1978 Suzuki GS 550 E
It does not have to be pods, but please get rid of that air box. I have read tons of bad stories about those old GS airboxes completely robbing power! In my research the uni's have been the way to go for most on the GS's. I do have to say my research was on the twins and not the fours, but I think they are the same box, that should mean even more power robbing in the fours!
beatnic said:
It does not have to be pods, but please get rid of that air box. I have read tons of bad stories about those old GS airboxes completely robbing power! In my research the uni's have been the way to go for most on the GS's. I do have to say my research was on the twins and not the fours, but I think they are the same box, that should mean even more power robbing in the fours!
brainrush
Active Member
Re: 1978 Suzuki GS 550 E
P.O. installed pods, the outside ones don't quite fit so he sort of squished them on there. That cover just hides the relay and such, I'm trying to figure out a way to hide all that stuff but still be able to remove my seat quickly.
Anyway, here's the addition of the clubmans and grips:
So here's what the cockpit looked like beforehand, sort of rusty, and other than the slightly polished bar clamps, nothing special:
undid the bar clamps, push the handlebars ahead of the headlight so I didn't have cables hanging around, and started fitting the clubmans, I had previously lowered the the forks on the triple-trees by about 3/4 of an inch, but that had to be undone in order for the new bars to fit. Easier said than done:
The new bars were a touch thinner than the old ones, so the controls were a bit slippery (I'm sure the chrome contributed), so I needed to do some shimming to get everything nice and tight, but before then I just had to take some photos:
For comparison, here's a before shot:
Now the after shots, there's my cousin sitting on the bike:
Here's one of me on the bike in a more relaxed pose:
And of couse the shot of me "doing the ton" in my driveway:
The headlight needs adjusting, and I got started with installing the bar end mirrors, I had them mounted low, but since I can't see through my forearms, I swapped sides, problem is when I was doing that, the throttle side one got stuck, so in trying to pull it out, it freed itself and launched across the garage into the BBQ. The paint wasn't scratched but it put a break across the mirror, bummer. I used some old weld-it to glue it back in place. It doesn't look cherry but one can argue that it adds character to the bike. I'll have to take some pics when it stops raining. I just replaced the manifold boot's o-rings so I should no longer be getting vacuum leak problems. Also, insuring this bike on my existing policy didn't cost me a dime. Well, it costs $34 per year, but the multi-vehicle discount savings that I got on the other bikes as a result of adding this bike to the policy ended up saving me $194 after adding the bike. It's pretty cool because it's rewarding me for having more bikes than I can ride
P.O. installed pods, the outside ones don't quite fit so he sort of squished them on there. That cover just hides the relay and such, I'm trying to figure out a way to hide all that stuff but still be able to remove my seat quickly.
Anyway, here's the addition of the clubmans and grips:
So here's what the cockpit looked like beforehand, sort of rusty, and other than the slightly polished bar clamps, nothing special:
undid the bar clamps, push the handlebars ahead of the headlight so I didn't have cables hanging around, and started fitting the clubmans, I had previously lowered the the forks on the triple-trees by about 3/4 of an inch, but that had to be undone in order for the new bars to fit. Easier said than done:
The new bars were a touch thinner than the old ones, so the controls were a bit slippery (I'm sure the chrome contributed), so I needed to do some shimming to get everything nice and tight, but before then I just had to take some photos:
For comparison, here's a before shot:
Now the after shots, there's my cousin sitting on the bike:
Here's one of me on the bike in a more relaxed pose:
And of couse the shot of me "doing the ton" in my driveway:
The headlight needs adjusting, and I got started with installing the bar end mirrors, I had them mounted low, but since I can't see through my forearms, I swapped sides, problem is when I was doing that, the throttle side one got stuck, so in trying to pull it out, it freed itself and launched across the garage into the BBQ. The paint wasn't scratched but it put a break across the mirror, bummer. I used some old weld-it to glue it back in place. It doesn't look cherry but one can argue that it adds character to the bike. I'll have to take some pics when it stops raining. I just replaced the manifold boot's o-rings so I should no longer be getting vacuum leak problems. Also, insuring this bike on my existing policy didn't cost me a dime. Well, it costs $34 per year, but the multi-vehicle discount savings that I got on the other bikes as a result of adding this bike to the policy ended up saving me $194 after adding the bike. It's pretty cool because it's rewarding me for having more bikes than I can ride
brainrush
Active Member
Re: 1978 Suzuki GS 550 E
It stopped raining just enough for me to take it for a little spin yesterday. It was the first time I've done it without the muffler, so loud! ;D It won't go past half throttle so I'll probably need to lower the needles by a clip (they're completely raised right now). It's the first bike that I've been on that actually feels better in a tuck. The starter button is busted, no amount of contact cleaner is helping, fortunately it starts on the first kick. I also borrowed a trick from the guys over at the GS resources and used a piece of PVC pipe to fatten up the cable guide to give a shorter throttle throw. It works great and is completely removable if need be. The rain should stop by Friday, so expect a video to happen around then.
It stopped raining just enough for me to take it for a little spin yesterday. It was the first time I've done it without the muffler, so loud! ;D It won't go past half throttle so I'll probably need to lower the needles by a clip (they're completely raised right now). It's the first bike that I've been on that actually feels better in a tuck. The starter button is busted, no amount of contact cleaner is helping, fortunately it starts on the first kick. I also borrowed a trick from the guys over at the GS resources and used a piece of PVC pipe to fatten up the cable guide to give a shorter throttle throw. It works great and is completely removable if need be. The rain should stop by Friday, so expect a video to happen around then.
brainrush
Active Member
Re: 1978 Suzuki GS 550 E
you just cut off a sliver about 3/8" of a 1" schedule 40 pipe, and cut out a section of it so it sits on the throttle tube just right, it's difficult to explain, but once you see it, it makes perfect sense. Here's a link to the original thread:
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=135697&highlight=throttle+mod
you just cut off a sliver about 3/8" of a 1" schedule 40 pipe, and cut out a section of it so it sits on the throttle tube just right, it's difficult to explain, but once you see it, it makes perfect sense. Here's a link to the original thread:
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=135697&highlight=throttle+mod
brainrush
Active Member
Re: 1978 Suzuki GS 550 E
I was thinking about doing a plug chop, but sort of confused as to where exactly I should chop it, should I do it when the engine starts to go intermitent, or right before then? And should I just roll on the throttle til it dies or chop it with the kill switch?
I was thinking about doing a plug chop, but sort of confused as to where exactly I should chop it, should I do it when the engine starts to go intermitent, or right before then? And should I just roll on the throttle til it dies or chop it with the kill switch?
Big R
Heaven is so far away.
Re: 1978 Suzuki GS 550 E
Starts happening after half throttle? Then it's probably doing it before that but still has enough pep that you don't notice. Here's the procedure:
Anytime you chop the plugs, make sure the motor is warmed up. And when you chop it, hit the kill switch and pull the clutch at the same time. Run it at 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, and WOT to get the best results.
I have a general guide on re-jetting carbs that I can post later.
Starts happening after half throttle? Then it's probably doing it before that but still has enough pep that you don't notice. Here's the procedure:
Anytime you chop the plugs, make sure the motor is warmed up. And when you chop it, hit the kill switch and pull the clutch at the same time. Run it at 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, and WOT to get the best results.
I have a general guide on re-jetting carbs that I can post later.
brainrush
Active Member
Re: 1978 Suzuki GS 550 E
rode it to school this morning. on the way back it started leaning out like crazy and then if gave up in front of a gas station, of course! I forgot to give it gas : it fired right up aftewards, I took it home, made sure it wasn't leaking real bad, then took it for a spin. It's loud and gets lots of stares, it feels more lean at lower RPM's, so I know I need new mains. I'll take the mains from the old carbs, and spec them out, take them to the school's machine shop and open them up a tad, swap 'em in and see if that does the trick. AWESOME SOUND btw. it's the first time I really let the bike warm up completely.noticed that even with the new clutch cable the clutch drags. Soon it will all be sorted.
rode it to school this morning. on the way back it started leaning out like crazy and then if gave up in front of a gas station, of course! I forgot to give it gas :
it fired right up aftewards, I took it home, made sure it wasn't leaking real bad, then took it for a spin. It's loud and gets lots of stares, it feels more lean at lower RPM's, so I know I need new mains. I'll take the mains from the old carbs, and spec them out, take them to the school's machine shop and open them up a tad, swap 'em in and see if that does the trick. AWESOME SOUND btw. it's the first time I really let the bike warm up completely.noticed that even with the new clutch cable the clutch drags. Soon it will all be sorted.
brainrush
Active Member
Re: 1978 Suzuki GS 550 E
So after looking through my machinery's handbook (27th edition) and doing some research, sunday I settled on putting a #60 drill through the mains using a drill press, cutting oil, a vise grip and a gentle touch. It's made ALL the difference. I just put on the muffler to cruise through the neighborhood and it really wants to go! it sounds healthy and pulls HARD! I saw cops patrolling the 'hood so I didn't want to break too many laws, but it's definitely made all the difference. yet another $0 mod.
I'm still planning a license relocation (it rubs on speed bumps) and a new tail-light setup. Also planning to figure out a way to open up the frame by moving the electronics.
So after looking through my machinery's handbook (27th edition) and doing some research, sunday I settled on putting a #60 drill through the mains using a drill press, cutting oil, a vise grip and a gentle touch. It's made ALL the difference. I just put on the muffler to cruise through the neighborhood and it really wants to go! it sounds healthy and pulls HARD! I saw cops patrolling the 'hood so I didn't want to break too many laws, but it's definitely made all the difference. yet another $0 mod.
I'm still planning a license relocation (it rubs on speed bumps) and a new tail-light setup. Also planning to figure out a way to open up the frame by moving the electronics.
tWistedWheelz
BUILT NOT BOUGHT!
Re: 1978 Suzuki GS 550 E
looks pretty cool, but I have my doubts about it durability!
looks pretty cool, but I have my doubts about it durability!
