Suzuki GS550 resto-mod project

[eurocars]

So im making this thread to catalog my GS550 build. Im starting with a 1978 gs5550e. The bike ran when i started (kind of). I decided to tear this down after a deal on a MK1 gti project car fell through. although it looks good from a distance, 32 years of existence has taken its toll. Here it is before i started tear-down:

 

[eurocars]

here the bike is day 2. I already had a storage unit, but rented out a larger one for the gti, which worked out for this project anyways. Here it is as of today: last pic is of my new workbench that i built today. sorry for the huge pics. im on the roomie's mac and i haven't figured out how to resize them

 

[nhbubba]

Very awesome!

What'd you pay for the GS?

 

[Whysoserious]

Seriously wrong section, dude

 

[AaronC]

Beat me to it

 

[eurocars]

Beat me to it

yeah, it happens 1. i wonder if the mods will move it, 2. got the bike for free (had alot of mechanical problems and the previous owner just gave it to me)

 

[ecoterragaia]

About to start a tear down on a '94 Kawi Ninja I got for $600 (won't be removing the heads though). Only has 3000 miles, I replaced and replenished everything except for the rod bearings, which I found need to be changed out after riding a few times and finding metal flakes in the oil. Cycles are so much more fun to work on than cars.

Awesome rebuild man, good luck.

 

[eurocars]

day 2:

stripped the frame completely down today in prep for sandblastinc/powdercoating. took all the accessories off and organized them for cleaning. found a used bench grinder o craigslist for 20 bucks that im going to put some polishing wheels on for more cleaning. here is is after today:

 

[TwentyonePSI]

So what are your plans on the 'mod' side of things? I would suggest cafe racer style...flat bars, single seat, etc...:iono:

 

[eurocars]

full gsxr suspension conversion (forks + the clipons, swingarm, etc), bored out, forged internals, nitrous (drag use), gs1000 seat and rear cowling, gs1000 paint scheme, full powdercoat, full port and polish to name a few

 

[Bfreiman]

I think I would be a two wheel guy if I could get on one of these old bikes. I'll have to add this to my list for when I actually have money:biggrin:

 

[eurocars]

I think I would be a two wheel guy if I could get on one of these old bikes. I'll have to add this to my list for when I actually have money:biggrin:

craigslist is probably the best place to look for cheap old bikes

 

[Bfreiman]

It would be a good way to get into engine work too I bet. The bike motors seem relatively simple.

 

[eurocars]

day 3:

pulled off almost all painted parts for blasting and powdercoating. taped off frame for blasting and polished some of the aluminum bits on the engine (polishing sucks). i also pulled apart the seat and found that the seat pan is totally rotted out. not sure how im going to fix it yet

 

[The Fed]

Hope you took pictures or have the repair manual. No way I would remember where every little part goes.