Suzuki GT550

I am now the owner of a GT550K 1972 model. It needs quite a bit of work, and I haven't seen it yet - the joys of eblob!
We'll see what else it needs - first purchase was a manual to go with the original Suzuki manual I bought in 1972 when I bought my first one. Ahhh two strokes!!!

Pics Al, c'mon, even a link to the original posting on eblob!

GT550

I don't think I'll be riding it any time soon!

Bloody good starting point!! The exhasts and silencers look good. The speedo and rev counter will clean up a lot with toothpaste and Brasso.

pics please

Click on the GT550 on Al's post - smart arse bastards, I was looking for pics too...fucking diseased pizzle cunts!

We uzn't aw compootur genisnarses yer knaws!

Nice bike Al...

Just got home after being stuck in a VERY long queue on the M42 on the way home.
Yes it looks rough, but the engine turns free with plenty of compression, and the base is sound.
I wonder when I should tell Lynn?
Maybe the old 'There's a bike in the garage? well I never!' spiel? I don't think she'll fall for that one!

I paid £610 in 1972 for my original GT550 - this one cost £609, so after 39 years it's only lost a quid in value!!

Oh, by the way. For the computer wazzoks - click on the 'GT550' in my second post and the pics will appear just like magic!!

Nice one Al, that'll keep you busy, tell Lynn you gave someone £50 for it, she won't have a clue.

Does it have double taillight bulbs ?

What colours are you going to do it ?

She knows. I had to 'fess up!

Yes.

Dunno yet. Maybe the same as my original GT550J - Gold with black stripes.

Maybe some of these (thicky clicky)

I have to say, for me personally, they ruin an otherwise beautiful bike, BUT, it's horses for courses innit.

The gold and black sound good though, they did some great colour schemes during those early years didn't they, it all got a bit civalised and bland later on, (like my 76 A model) shame really.

These are some of the (very) old images of my original 550 which I think I posted some time ago.
The one with the CB72 was taken the day I bought it in August 1972 and I always preffered the Gold to the original Blue. So it may be that then. still not sure as the cost of the 4LS front brake is silly so I may fit a double disc setup (for prsonal safety!) we'll see how it goes.
Suggestions for colours will be considered so please put pics on - only original 550 styles please unless it's REALLY special.

Black is the colour for bikes. Gloss,Satin or Matt.

Gotta agree, Gloss or Satin black, not so keen on Matt though makes it look cheap (sorry Matt, no offence intended - ya cheapskate fucking bastard!) and nasty...

If it's a 72 J Al, (not a K) keep it in the colours it should be, it'll be worth more being stock, and it'll look fine and dandy too, gold and black for me every time, it's a nostalgia fueled project innit, so what's best for YOUR nostalgia ? of course, ....................................gold and black.

http://www.suzukicycles.org/GT-series/GT550.shtml

Well. it's a '72 all right, but it's a yank '72 and they got theirs a bit before ours so their J was an early 72 and our J was a late 72. I had the first 550 in our area (and one of the first in the UK in August 1972 in Gold and black. This one is a K made in August 72 but for the yank market with a disc, which was the only upgrade AFAIK. I tried a disc kit on my original, and it wasn't a patch on the 4ls with Ferodo green linings, so if I could get a 'proper' 4ls brake for reasonable money I would go that way. Failing that, I'll double the discs and have them drilled with modern linings so they will work in the wet, unlike the originals.
Current colour is green, not sure of the shade, but it's wank so it'll not be green much longer. I always preferred the Gold to the Blue 550s so that's the favourite at the mo'
Black is good on Vincents or Fanny Barnetts or Velos or old Beezers etc. not modern stuff like a 1972 3 pot two stroke with skimmed head and port mods! (Did I mention that earlier?)

It's only paint, you do what you want to it Al.

The frame has been powder coated with all the other 'black' bits like yokes, swing arm, battery box etc, swing arm in, forks on, front wheel cleaned up, waiting for the paintwork back from the paintist (decided to go with a fairly original lime green metallic for this one after not liking it originally). The back wheels I have aren't very good so I look like having a new rim spoked onto a hub and then some Dunlop Streetsmarts can be bunged on

Just ordered a load of bicarb to soda blast the engine and then hopefully we may get some life back into the old girl very soon.

Bicarb?? What's wrong with grit?

Too agressive. It's the engine casings that I'm going to do.

What sort of gun do you use?A ordinary blasting gun? Can you re-use the Bicarb?

Have a look on youtube, plenty on there - home made variety with an air blowy thing that everyone with a compressor has! The alternative is to use the gun out of the blast cabinet I have so I'll try that first.
Not sure about reuse, it might end up all over as I'll be doing it outside. Cheap enough at £25/25 kilos CLICKY

I would like to see a before and after if you could be so kind when you are done my good man..

No probs. Hope to do some blasting this weekend with a bit of luck.
The bicarb came today so I have everything I need for it.

Managed to repair the compressor - shitted up valves in the 'head. (The compressors, not mine) so I might get some done this week.
Just took in the rear hub for rim & spoking this morning - got a call at 4pm that it's done!! Fast service or what.
http://www.cwylde.co.uk/ if you want a look. Lots of old stuff.