Hi there, GS550 owner in the uk

[gippoglitter]

Hello from the UK! Recently bought a GS550, hoping to pick up some useful info/tips on here to help with a cafe build. Iv'e never been on a forum before so excuse me if I make a hash of this lol.
I think the bike was stock when i bought it apart from an electronic ignition the previous owner had put on it.

Here she is in all her glory!!

 

[mattfeet]

Looks like you also have aftermarket rear suspension as well. From the dust covers Id say those are Progressive springs which is a nice setup!

Oh, and welcome!

-matt

 

[gippoglitter]

Ah, thats good to know. I thought they must have been replaced at some time due to the lack of wear on them, I had no idea they were progressive though.
Thanks Matt

I paid £475 for the bike, on reflection I thought that may have been too much as the head gasket is weeping. Hoping to get it up together for around £1000.

 

[hc243102]

You plan on ditching the trunk or keeping it?

 

[gippoglitter]

lol. the first thing i did was get rid of that hideous box. although it turned out that the previous owner had put a haines manual and a tin of chain lube in there for me so i was very pleased with that.
I tried to sell the box on Ebay but surprise surprise no one wanted it. will have to take a trip to the tip to get rid.

 

[hc243102]

Hideos it may be, it might come in handy one day.

 

[hardline_42]

That bike looks great. It's already got superbike bars on it and a potentially decent suspension. I would strip and dip the carbs, check valve clearances, check the charging system (weak point on the GS), change fluids and tires and ride the snot out of it. Then do a Wes Cooley superbike style build:

Also, join www.thegsresources.com for all the technical info you could ever want.

 

[Ziggy Parker]

Bike looks great... good bargain... cant wait to see what you do with it

 

[gippoglitter]

The bike looks better in the pictures than it does in reality, the bars are bent, there's quite a lot of rusty bits, brakes need looking at, forks are pitted, head gasket needs replacing. already started the strip down, just got to decide on the style. not sure whether to go cafe or brat.
I've rebuilt a bandit 1200 from scratch in a streetfighter style;

but i'm new to this style of bike.

 

[gippoglitter]

had a go at mocking something up on paint using the original rear end but trimmed a bit:

 

[Kai_Guy]

I just bought a 1978 GS550 myself! Here's what the previous owner did to mine with the original rear end. Other than needing some minor cleaning up I think it turned out decent.

I might be picking your brain a bit since I'm completely new to bikes and it looks like you have some past experience!

 

[gippoglitter]

Looks good, I think that's gotta be the way to go.
I've noticed a lot of gs' have got a single disc on the front whereas mine has two!!
Also I like the look of the front end without the front mudguard, I've heard people mention that removing it may upset the front end, what do you think?

 

[hardline_42]

Looks good, I think that's gotta be the way to go.
I've noticed a lot of gs' have got a single disc on the front whereas mine has two!!
Also I like the look of the front end without the front mudguard, I've heard people mention that removing it may upset the front end, what do you think?

Most GS550s came with single discs but some were available with dual discs around 78-80. Many people will just swap out GS750 fork lowers to run dual discs, since the hubs are typically drilled for both. I'm assuming the PO did that on your bike. As for the front fender, there is a fork brace spot-welded to the underside that ties both fork legs together. If you remove the fender and don't replace it with another fork brace it will negatively impact the bike's handling.

 

[Kai_Guy]

Most GS550s came with single discs but some were available with dual discs around 78-80. Many people will just swap out GS750 fork lowers to run dual discs, since the hubs are typically drilled for both. I'm assuming the PO did that on your bike. As for the front fender, there is a fork brace spot-welded to the underside that ties both fork legs together. If you remove the fender and don't replace it with another fork brace it will negatively impact the bike's handling.

Oh really? I'll have to check it out when I pick up mine Monday...think he still has the fender so I'll throw it back on until I get something to brace them together.

 

[hardline_42]

Oh really? I'll have to check it out when I pick up mine Monday...think he still has the fender so I'll throw it back on until I get something to brace them together.

If you don't want to run a front fender you should invest in one of these:
http://www.fastfromthepast.com/servlet/the-592/Fork-Brace-Suzuki-GS550E/Detail

 

[gippoglitter]

Most GS550s came with single discs but some were available with dual discs around 78-80. Many people will just swap out GS750 fork lowers to run dual discs, since the hubs are typically drilled for both. I'm assuming the PO did that on your bike. As for the front fender, there is a fork brace spot-welded to the underside that ties both fork legs together. If you remove the fender and don't replace it with another fork brace it will negatively impact the bike's handling.

Thanks for the info, with that in mind I'll probably trim it down and keep it in place.