Poldark

Break on through to the other side.

We can waste our time discussing whether this modification improves performance, but we know it most certainly makes a bike look faster. But seriously, did the factory sponsored race teams do this? I figure they had the most tech support and would know best what benefits there are. They also had a lot to loose; bike failing at the track would lead to lower sales. I don't push my stuff that hard; it would be for looks if I did it.

"small community"? The sun never sets on the OSS empire.

Got it out. Dremel with diamond cut off wheel, torch, and pry bar. New bearings installed. Thanks all. What? This is my post number 50. I feel something growing inside of me. The old Suzuki's will ride again.

Thanks, I knew some of you hard core OSS's had some proven tricks.

Sounds more like clutch issue than gearing. Can some of our more experienced members weigh in?

I'm replacing steering neck bearings on a 1981 GS550L frame. These are tapered roller bearings. Top bearing outer race came right out of the frame using a long punch and hammer. On the lower bearing, I can't get a firm strike with the punch. I'm sure I am not the first here to attempt this. Is there a special tool or technique? My repair manual doesn't say anything about it.

I have a complete front end from a GV700 for a non OSS project. Just ask and I'll take whatever measurements you need. My GS projects are 550 and 650. For comparison: GV tubes are 37mm versus 35mm on the GS, both front axles are 15mm but the GV is longer as the fork spacing is wider. At a glance, the brake calipers appear to be the same but I haven't checked for sure.

Wow! That is so inspirational. Makes me want to spend more time on the bikes.

How close are the frame dimensions on a '81 gs550? I have the back part of a frame (which I cut off to build a chopper) which I'd donate to another member. Bad part is, US to UK postage would most likely be a deal killer.

But that kind of rot is more than just water induced; there must have been some kind of acid leaching out the broken roof timbers. Good call on stripping down to bare metal.

Did you have to remove any parts from the engine or did it just slip into the frame?

So what's wrong with it now?

Give it a try. If you run into a problem, there are plenty of experience and creative people here to help. You may need to measure the front down tube spacing on the frame and compare to exhaust header spacing.

It should work the same as fitting an oil cooled engine into an earlier gs550 frame, assuming the dimensions are similar. Normally requires removing oil pan and valve cover to get enough clearance (of course those parts go back on the engine after mounting in frame). One of the more experienced members may have more insight.

Here in the US we have bearingsdirect.com They have a very large selection of bearings, low prices, and quick shipping.

Electronic advance? All the ones I worked on (8 valve engine) had mechanical advance. Whether electronic or breaker point, they had the fly weights and springs on the end of the crank.

He had it backwards, 80's motorcycles were modeled after your katana, but everyone here already knew that. Is there something wrong with 80's dress, should I not ride around in parachute pants, member's only jacket, and a single rhinestone glove?

How did it rev before cleaning cars and replacing coils?

There are all sorts of coil options if you want to adapt car components to your bike. Around here there are lots of Dodge Neons in the auto salvage yards; they have a 4 cylinder wasted spark ignition, nice tidy coil pack mounted on top of engine, just four screws and three wires. In the past twenty-some years, non-distributor ignition systems have become common in cars which leaves us with a lot of affordable, high quality options for our bikes. Last trip to the auto salvage, I noticed a four cylinder Suzuki car with a coil pack that might work.

Found out the hard way, the gs550 has smaller exhaust ports than the 650. You can swap carbs between the two, even swap heads. You can go aftermarket exhaust. There might be an exhaust system from another make that fits; but in the Suzuki air cooled models the 550's have their own exhaust.