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109Countries

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Posts posted by 109Countries

  1. 1 hour ago, slayer61 said:

    Part of the project investigation process involves contacting the seller or distributor and asking them about their product.

       I have found a seller here in California who says his parts are assembled in California from "imported" components. I think I can work with that.

    Go to any big box building supply store (Lowes, Home Depot, etc) and all of the name brand tools that are "made in America" all of them include "from globally sourced materials". Hell, even the big 3 automakers are more made outside of America than Nissan and Kia. To me, it has became a rather moot point. And a meme. 

  2. 6 hours ago, vizman said:

    Them kinda people shouldn’t be messing with wiring, just like people who ask how to make jigs shouldn’t be making frames....

    ....pink wire is always the wheelie wire.

    Everyone starts somewhere, dude.

  3. On 10/27/2020 at 5:02 PM, Wee Man said:

    You can make your own for around 30 quid. A 12v remote receiver/switch, a relay and some wires, a waterproof box.  Press the button on Fob and ignition is on, press again ignition off. Job done. 

    I wrote and article in Streetfighters many moons ago about building one. 

    Do you have a link to the article?

  4. I agree with Wraith. You would have such a large frame, with such a small engine. It would look like one of those 250CC choppers. Perhaps FB market place or craigslist has a parts bike with a larger engine? I picked up a GS650GL pulled for $100.

  5. 18 hours ago, wraith said:

    Not a lover of cafe racer stale but hay, each to there own. ;)

    If we where all the same it would be a sad life.

    Thought I saw this 650 at the start of the post on the bay last night up for sale ?

    I just found it on an image search! Good luck on the sale though! I totally understand... I feel the exact same way about choppers. Woof.

     

    I just zoomed in on the picture I uploaded and I just noticed that he has no rear brake pedal... or foot rest. Odd. 

    • Like 1
  6. On 10/23/2020 at 3:12 PM, wraith said:

    Just don't like them, just look wrong

    I think I found the look that I am going for. At first I thought the color was awful... but I must admit, it is growing on me. Like Henry Ford said, you can get any color you want, as long as it is black

    suzuki-gs-550-cafe-racer-625x417.jpg

    • Like 1
  7. 8 hours ago, wraith said:

    You will fit in here well then, just DON'T put a brown seat on it ;)

    Yes you have your work cut out by the looks of it but any problems just put a post up 

    You and that brown seat! I feel like there's a story there... Taco night?

  8. 1 hour ago, Poldark said:

    This is about the type of bike I think you are trying to build and how you will likely ride it.  Aggressive solo riding.  Long interstate highway cruising with luggage and a passenger is what your RoadKing is made for.  Notice the word "racer" in "cafe racer"?  I assume you will be aggressive on the throttle.  The high-end cam is best suited to those condition.  The Chevy small block V8 has long been a popular hotrod/ muscle-car engine in America, so I will use it for my analogy.  The GS650E has the hotrod/muscle-car 350.  The GS650G is the 350 in a truck. The GS550 is a 305 in a regular passenger car.  You have a passenger car you want to build into a hotrod.  You're going to pull the 305 out, and upgrade to a 350 that came from a truck.  Do you want your car to run like a truck, a passenger car with a slightly larger engine, or a hotrod?

    For our friends outside North America: 305 and 350 refers to cubic inch displacement.  5.0L  5.7L

    The GS650and GS650GL were shaft driven models.  The GS650E  was a performance based chain drive model available in American market in 1981 and 1982.  The E model uses the same engine mount points as the 550 but it is a 5 speed not 6.  

    Okay, we are 100% on the same page. Yes, aggressive solo riding is what I want the suzuki for. The wife demands the softest of air ride suspension when she is with me! That was a spot on analogy. Thanks again bud! 

    So to re-ask, while I am in there, what are the known trouble spots on these? Should I just go ahead and replace the R/R and stator while I've got the engine split? I was going to take the internals to the brass wheel and clean up any carbon, but if re-timing is necessary then I will just leave it be. Again, if the points and advancing the timing doesn't do anything, then I will just go with the stock set of points and time it off of the 650e setting. Also, put the 650e stock jets in. Should I go 1 size larger if I plan on putting exhaust and pods on? What about shimming the carb? 

  9. 30 minutes ago, Gixer1460 said:

    I think you've got it arse about face! The 550 may have similar power as a 650 but it lacks torque and makes up for that with rev's - its a peakier engine. The 650 - as a shafty based engine - was designed to make torque and its power output is better spread across the rev range meaning you don't have to continually stir the gear shift - just click into top and 'roll the throttle' Usually in any torque comparison - cubes wins!

    Hahahaha arse about face... that is hilarious. I have never heard that before. I take it that that is the equivalent to ass-backwards. I really do not care how high the engine revs. It would also be nice to not have to take it to the peak RPMS to get the power, so I understand the 650 cams being across the board due to the nature of being shaft driven. So besides the cams of the GL not working due to the teeth, since that is a shaft driven opposed to the e, would that be more torque based? I could not find any 650m cam shafts. I also read that the e and the m had the same engine set up. Is that true?

  10. 6 minutes ago, Poldark said:

    That sounds about right.  The shaft drive 650's were touring oriented so performance was focused on low and mid range torque, and smooth running.  You bought a set of GS650E cams and sprockets for a reasonable price; they should give the best results.

    You own and ride H-D's, that's the prime example of low end torque.  A fun experiment would be to drag race the Sportster and the GS550/650.  I'd predict the Sportster to initially jump out ahead but then your 550/650 pass it and win.

    I'm starting work on a VN750, but we don't discuss that here.

    So I am curious as to why you say that the 650e cams and sprockets would be the best route to go, when the 550 is across the board and the 650e is high end? Just wondering from your perspective. I think that would be a good experiment to try, once both are built. A 1200 versus the 673. My money is on the Suzuki hahahaha.

    One last thing, while I still have some money for the small parts (waiting to bite the bullet on the exhausts, filters, and tires) is there ANYTHING else that I should look at when I have both engines on the bench? Any known weak points?

    Any questions with the VN750, feel free to PM me. I got rather versed in the fine intricacies of it. It is a blast to ride.

  11. 2 hours ago, Poldark said:

    You seem a little confused.  Maybe I can clear this up.  Do NOT use the GS650GL cam sprockets (engine will destroy itself), but you could use those camshafts IF you change the sprockets (engine will run, but you can have better performance).  If you have the GS650E cams and sprockets; they should be your best option.  GS550 cams and sprockets have been known to work well with the 650 conversion.

    700 or 740.  Think of having close to a 750 in the size and weight of 550.  Worth it?  Depends on how much time and money you have budgeted.  Not just the cost of the pistons, but paying a machine shop to bore and hone four holes.  If your cylinder bores are pitted or worn out, you might as well go ahead and do it.  I think the 740 requires non-stock head gasket.

    If you do the 650 conversion, and don't get carried away with "race" stuff, you should end up with a fun and affordable street bike.  

    Thank you for the clarification. I read that the GS650GL cams were the 34T sprockets, so I went on Eblag and found a set of the GS650E cams and sprockets for $25. I counted the teeth in the picture and it was a 30T, which is the same as the 550 cams and sprockets. As I had said, I was hoping to go with the most performance based application. I had read that the 650 powerband is pretty high, where as the 550 is more even across the powerband. As you had said, I want a fun and affordable street bike that I built. I have built a VN750 and a VN700 (sold), but that was mostly modifying the timing and air intake. I was wanting to do a full build. I believe that the 650 has the same power as the 750, but in a smaller frame. I would like to stay away from getting anything professionally done, as I promised the wife that I wouldn't have 4 bikes, so I will have to get rid of 2 of them at SOME point (didn't promise when!!)

    To that end, I want to put on some slip ons, some pods, electronic points (to advance timing), and the 650 top end swap. From there, I will get rid of the fenders, and hopefully swap the lower control arm out with an aluminum one (if found cheap enough) to cut weight. I have put progressive springs in the Road King Classic and the VN750; they are WONDERFUL. So probably those as well. Of course new tires, brake pads, seat with a cowl and I want to try and dent the tank myself. Worse case scenario, I will just buy one for $100. I can't think of any other weight savings.

    I cannot figure out how to delete the last post. Sorry fellas

  12. 1 hour ago, Reinhoud said:

    Haven't read much...

     

    A digital gauge is NOT!!!! more acurate than a gauge with a dial.. That's all the information I can give you... ;) 

     

    Acuracy can mean 2 things, 0.1mm is 0.1mm, or you do a measurement 10 times, and 10 times you get (almost) the same reading.

    I wanted a cleaner look on the instrument cluster, while keeping the warning lights and hopefully the gear indicator. A tach would be an awesome thing to have. I just don’t think I can do this with an analog. 

  13. 16 hours ago, Ibbo said:

    Chain saw files come in different diameters, and are good to slot cam sprockets.

    mike

    Do you know about how much you'd have to file out of the sprockets? Does anyone have a picture of what the finished product looks like?

  14. 23 hours ago, wraith said:

    Just don't put a brown seat on the Suzuki, put it on the HD :D

    Maybe if I can squeeze enough power out of the Suzuki, it'd naturally turn brown from ride 

  15. 1 hour ago, Poldark said:

    On a street engine, I don't think you would benefit that much from degreeing the cams; the time and money could be spent better elsewhere on the bike.

    In the US, in 81 and 82, we had the GS650E, likely the same engine as the 650 katana.  Entire top end should be a bolt-on onto same year GS550.  Top end from shaft drive GS650G will work, but you can't use the cam sprockets.  Best off to use 550 or chain drive 650 cams and sprockets.  Pre-81 GS550 engine lower can be used but will require removing aluminum from the upper case to allow the larger 650 cylinder liners to fit.

    Kruzin Image sell 650 overbore pistons increasing displacement to 700 or 740.

    By the way, 109, what part of the country are you in?

    Thank you for the reply. I am from the Mid-West, where we enjoy 6 months of winter, 4  months of 2nd winter, and 2 months of spring/summer/fall. I got the 650E cams and sprockets, because I heard that they were the 30t and a more performance based engine. From everything I have read however, keeping the 550 cams is the way to go in terms of overall performance. Can you please confirm? I am confused because I had heard that the 550 has 30t as well for its sprockets? If so, did I waste getting the 650E cams and sprockets? I haven't seen too much on the 700 or the 740. Do you know what the power advantage would be over the 673? 

  16. I will have to check out your bandit swing arm. I was going for as much weight reduction as possible. Regarding the ATU; do you advance the timing or just follow the stock 650 timing procedure? I purchased the 650e cams because that is what Suzuki_Don had said he did. I now regret that purchase, if it wasn't necessary. Thank you for clarifying that. Any other tidbits I should know before hand? I got an AGM battery that I was planning on mounting on it's side under the seat. Will that be an issue? 

  17. Thank you for the response. I have the cams from the 650E. If the 550 cams are better, I will stick with those. I had read that the sprocket had to be swapped too. Good to know it doesn’t need to be. For the degreeing of the cams for intake and exhaust, I think a lot of the trouble comes from the difference in terminology between the English in the US and the other parts of the world. Do I want the ports to be nice and polished? Could I take the valves to the brass wire wheel and then smooth out any rough spots? Would fixing the timing be worth the pain? From what I had read, you cut off an inch from the cam end to get your gauge in there. I’ve never used the point gauge or the dial indicator. 

    • Like 1
  18. I have decided which way I want to take the 1980 550L cafe racer project.

    I purchased a used 650GL motor for $100. Apparently this is a 34 tooth instead of a 30 tooth sprocket, so I purchased the cam shafts from the E series. 

    I purchased a new head gasket and base gasket.

    I have been reading all that I can on this build, however I do not understand some of the terminology that you are using. Such as the baskets, bucket, and barrels.

    It would be nice to switch to a digital gauge, which ones have you guys found to work well? I was thinking one with the tach, fuel gauge, warning lights and maybe find one that has the 6 gears? I am sure someone makes it.

    I was looking at degreeing the camshafts to squeeze the most HP out of the build. Is there a more comprehensive build guide than this? https://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?155072-Degreeing-Camshafts-Information-Required/page9 Is it a necessary modification? I have never been this in-depth inside of an engine before, but I am rather excited.

    I was planning on using the 550 carbs and camshaft, unless the 650 is better? What size jets would you recommend to start? I want to put on pods and an aftermarket muffler. Everywhere that has the dynojet stage 3 kit has been sold out. If I could find the jet size of that kit, it should be cheaper to go that route. 

    Is there anything else that I will be needing for the swap? Will the coils from the 550 work? What about points? Would switching to a better set of points increase any power output? 

    I would like to put the aluminum swing arm from the 1100 on the bike to get rid of the center stand and the steel swing arm for weight reduction. Would any swing arm from the 1100 work? Here's what I found: https://www.Eblag.com/itm/82-Suzuki-GS-1100-GS1100-Swing-Arm-53D/133541708007?hash=item1f17b4c0e7:g:ZR8AAOSwO6xeYGlB or does it have to be off of the e model? They appear to be different. https://www.Eblag.com/itm/1982-1983-SUZUKI-GS1100E-Swing-Arm-Fork-Aluminum-Allot-Used-GS-1100-E-OEM-ES-82/293776629702?hash=item4466739fc6:g:PvUAAOSwfNRfgnPi

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