72 GT550 for sale in Bakersfield CA

[Cragdog]

http://bakersfield.craigslist.org/mcy/4317888279.html

Thought about picking this one up.. Wasn't 72 the year for a leading drum though? possibly a '73?
Anyone know anything about those pipes? They look hideous..

[Cragdog]

bump

[tz375]

72 had drum brakes but that's not a lot of cash for a runner IF it has a title. Those pipes look like Bassani.

[SW550]

Does look like a 73.
Not a bad price but lots of monies to build it back to the Original 550 if that is what someone wanted to do.

[Cragdog]

Thanks tz and SW,
I am mostly interested in it for the pipes (if they are any better than my stock pipes), the seat, and possibly the gas tank. However since I've spent so much time on my semi-custom 74 550, it might be nice to have one for a true restore..

[Alan H]

The US market K (disc model) was a 72 as well - you lot 'over there' got your models a few months earlier than 'us over here'!!!. Those casings are K not J as the J had embossed covers, the K had stickers.

I'm close to finishing mine!

[Cragdog]

The US market K (disc model) was a 72 as well - you lot 'over there' got your models a few months earlier than 'us over here'!!!. Those casings are K not J as the J had embossed covers, the K had stickers.

I'm close to finishing mine!

Which one are your working on Alan? Have you a thread anywhere here??

[Alan H]

I'm sure there must be but I can't find it!
There this one HERE (clicky)
I don't want to hijack this thread so I'll only put a couple of pics on.
If you do a search on here and the other place. there are loads of GT550 threads.
I'll have another look and PM you if I can find the original thread.

[Alan H]

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7095" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Here it is. Must update it!!

[Cragdog]

The US market K (disc model) was a 72 as well - you lot 'over there' got your models a few months earlier than 'us over here'!!!. Those casings are K not J as the J had embossed covers, the K had stickers.

I'm close to finishing mine!

Thanks for that Alan, so without knowing the vin yet sounds like it can go either way at this point for a 72 or 73. Didn't the 72 as well have additional finning on the ram-sit cover?
I am kinda waffling on this one, it is 2.5 hours away from me... Waiting for a call back from the owner, if he will go lower on the price I might grab it.

[Alan H]

J and K were very similar other than (mainly) carbs, points and genny casings and disc. Most parts are interchangeable on those models. The later 550s had linked carbs (different fuel tank) and lots of style changes - side panels, air filters, ram air cowl, etc etc. Best thing to do when you get the bike is look for a parts manual on ebay LIKE THIS (linky) - in fact at that price, buy it quick! Then the exploded drawings of ALL components are a massive help when dismantling/remantling the parts. Good to compare when parts change and compatibility between models too.

[Cragdog]

I picked up a parts manual for all years of the 550 when I started my 74 build. It has been VERY helpful!
As you say, the early models were rather different.. And this bike appears to be missing quite a bit, if I am considering a restore, I could see it getting pricey quick. Looks like it's missing the side panels, air box, headlight bucket, tank badges, turns signals, etc. to name a few.. Unless he has them laying around..