Poldark

Would slightly longer forks give the needed ground clearance? What size fork tubes: 41mm? A whole bunch of different H-D models ran 41mm Showa forks. The tubes may be able to swap out with slightly longer ones. There are plenty of used H-D fork tubes and aftermarket replacement tubes available. Take a look at "Forks by Frank" in the US. They've been in business for over 50 years and will make nearly any length fork tubes for nearly any motorcycle model.

Notice that his profile shows he's in Texas. Don't forget about the fuel quality over here in the US: 10% corn, etc. Expect it to be bad. But at least our fuel is cheap.

Racing? Every bit of weight savings makes a difference. I don't race, so minute weight savings are negligible. I'm working on getting a neglected 82 GS750E (GSX750) running. The 630 chain was in questionable condition, but the sprockets looked fine. A 630 chain went on and now I spend time and money sorting out other problems. If it needed new sprockets too, I would have gone to 530. Some of us like the look of the big chain, others don't. Your time and money is going into your bike, you decide. 530, 525, and 520 will all look the same from the side view; only from behind can you tell the difference. Theoretically, the narrow chains should have shorter service life due to reduced contact area, but I don't know how that plays out in the real world.

Yes, an introduction in the "general chat" section would be a great start. Tell us a little about yourself; doesn't matter if you've been riding for fifty years or you're just getting your first motorcycle. Once that is out of the way, you'll find members ready to help you.

Don't forget to go do an introduction post in the "general chat" section.

I checked. The exhaust port spacing is different between my 750 and the 650. Maybe the pipes could be bent slightly to match? The spacing between the bolt holes might be a little off too. Checked headers from GSX600F; ports line up but down pipes are too short and bolt spacing is off. I'm cheap too, but there's a breaking point somewhere.

I'll try to do some checking today. I have two 650 exhaust systems: stock system off a shaft drive model and a 4-into-1 off a chain drive model. This might help me out as well; my 82 GS750E ( I think it's called GSX750 most places outside the US) needs an exhaust system. Your bike is a GS700, so it would be 84-86. I assume your 700 engine has similar external dimensions to my 82 750. A new stainless Delvic full exhaust is available for my 750 for under $400, might be available for yours too.

The forums at The GS Resources has good info on building the 550 with the 650 top end. Top end from chain drive 650 is best, but they were only made for two years. Shaft drive 650 top end will work but you can't use its cams. Earlier 550 engine cases will require "hogging out" to fit the larger bore sleeves. Your 1980, I'm not sure. 81 and 82 550 cases should be a best bet. Cruzin Image sells overbore pistons for the 650 at a good price: 700 and 740 (with larger bore head gasket) Again, go read up on The GS Resources.

Alex Jones is a OSS guy? I used to listen to him quite a bit, but I don't recall him ever talking about motorcycles. "If you can hear this transmission, you are the resistance."

Welcome to OSS. Don't forget to introduce yourself in the General Chat section. Just looking at the photos, I'd say that is a 1980 GS550L. The 81 GS550L frame I have laying around no longer uses a vin starting with "GS550....". Your info tag shows manufacture date 05/80 placing it late in the 1980 run. The factory would have been ready to tool up for the 1981 run at that time. There were a few frame changes with the 81 model. My best guess is that at the end of the 1980 run, they were down to the last of their 80 model frames, one already stamped as an E model left as an L. I have a fair amount of gs550 parts. Get your post count above 50 and we can discuss buy, sell, trade, etc. I'm in Virginia, where are you?

So there's the answer. Have the parts shipped to my house. Come over here on vacation, throw the bits in your personal luggage for the return trip.

Very nice. We can use more choppers around here.

Welcome. That's a nice one; we don't see too many of those in the US. Where are you? Your dad's right; it is quite large to learn on. Expect to clean out the carbs or even rebuild them. As others have stated, fluids and tires.

Here in North America the GSXF comes from the factory with word "Katana" on the bodywork. For whatever reason, Suzuki thought it was appropriate in parts of the world and not others. Official paperwork will read GSXF. Maybe there was too much confusion with the GSXR.

Virginia International Raceway website now shows the MotoAmerica event as "cancelled".

You were smoking cigarettes, right. My American ears nearly took it the wrong way. Do you have any more details on your chain guard? I'm always intrigued by making parts from non-motorcycle stuff.

Have you looked to see if there is a machine shop that will drill your rotors for a decent price? There may be one that will do it on an exchange basis. I remember years ago reading an article about drilling you own rotors; there might be something out there on the net about it. I like the rotors on the links you provided, but not the costs. For that much I can upgrade to more modern wheels, brakes, and suspension with salvage parts.

Is it for a 70's GS model? I may have a set I pulled off a rusted out GS550 seat pan. Likely used same hinge hardware over several GS models.

On the kickstart engine, the cases will have to be split so material can be removed to make room for the larger 650 bore liners. I think it should drop straight in on the non-kick engine cases. If the 650 donor is a chain drive model, the whole top end can be used. If using a shaft drive 650 donor, the 650 cam sprockets are the wrong tooth count.

Covers are different; one has a hole for the kicker shaft. I think this has been discussed in detail on thegsresources.com I'll try to help you where I can; I have 550 engines in both kick and non-kick version. Unfortunately, I don't have clutch covers removed from my non-kickers right now. 650 top end on a 550 lower is a good combo; this is something I have planned for the future. There are aftermarket pistons to increase the 650 to a 700 or 740cc.

H-D has jumped the shark; became a parody character of itself. In a few years, I expect the US market to become flooded with used H-D bikes as the owners decide they are too old to ride. I like the old GS Suzuki's, thegsresoures.com has great info and knowledgeable members, but they stay away from the "re-engineering" aspects. They don't inspire me much. There are some specific model line forums, Suzuki and other brands, making the scope of discussion feel too narrow and the membership spread too thin. There are some good general chopper, street-fighter, or café-racer sites, but open to all makes and models, leaving the scope too broad. FacePalm motorcycle groups are probably good for social and meetup purposes, but I stay away from FacePalm. OSS is a good format. I'll stick with it. Maybe in the near future, there will be enough members to create regional "events", "for sale", and "wanted" sections.

Plugged up or frozen? It's still winter-like cold up there in Canada, right? You'll be thawed out soon enough. Keep up the good work.

MotoAmerica event at VIR in May is still on schedule according to the website. Corona panic should be well over by then. At my house, we are looking at making a family trip out of it.

I would definitely like to go to a big GS rally but Indiana is a long day's drive. A closer one would be great. All of us OSS North America members are so spread out. The UK members are practically neighbors.

Wife is open to going. We just have to look over the schedule of events and decide what we want to buy tickets for; make it a family outing. So if we meet up, keep your behavior family friendly.