What The Heck Is This ???

H2RICK · Post by **H2RICK** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 5:52 pm

I came across something in the February issue of Classic Motorcycle Mechanics that I don't remember seeing before.
This view is of a GT550A carb on what I believe is a UK/Euro spec bike.
I've never seen this kind of one piece carb linkage boot before. Can anyone enlighten me as to whether or not this was stock on all the L and later UK/Euro 380/550 bikes ?? Later replacement pieces maybe ??
It also appears as if the enrichener lever is different too.
Enquiring mind(s) want to know.
We in North America got the two piece boots, of course.

BTW, this issue of CMM has a bunch great articles for newbies, two of which are dismantling a 550 motor and a comparo of a 550 to an H1.
There are additional articles of general interest, too.

GT550Carbssmall.jpg

Craig380 · Post by **Craig380** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 4:18 am

Hey Rick, that looks like an aftermarket fuel tap, too, it's a vac device but doesn't look like the usual GT triple unit.

I'm pretty certain the "concertina" boots are aftermarket replacements, although the top boot covering the lifter pivot looks stock.

The bikes photographed are based in Spain, so it may be a mix of locally-sourced aftermarket parts to keep the bikes on the road, and / or some regional differences in spec.

As Rocky Garzone will testify, the Italian market got a unique 384cc version of the 380 due to a local regulatory / insurance peculiarity (1mm larger bores), I believe Rocky has one bored out to 401cc

I bet the 8% extra capacity adds a little grunt

johnakay · Post by **johnakay** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 4:22 am

I have a feeling that Rocky is no longer with us or that he is seriously ill.
I have not heard from him since last year and it is not like Rocky not to reply to my emails.

Craig380 · Post by **Craig380** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 11:19 am

Oh hell, I hope not

H2RICK · Post by **H2RICK** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 5:34 pm

I was hoping Rocky would have the answer, too.
I hope he's not sick....or worse.....

The bikes photographed are based in Spain, so it may be a mix of locally-sourced aftermarket parts to keep the bikes on the road, and / or some regional differences in spec.

OK....that explains the differences. The article actually has two different 550's pictured in it.....an A model in Candy Rose/Targa Red that belongs to a gent in the UK......
and what APPEARS to be an M model (going by the striping) BUT in Marble Scarlet/Laredo Red that was used on the L models in North America!!!
Stuff like this drives restorers crazy.....

Madbuffalo · Post by **Madbuffalo** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 6:51 pm

H2RICK wrote:Stuff like this drives restorers crazy.....

Kind of like this manual I have here? Based on the paint color and striping it's a '75 but at least the pipes, kick starter, and front fender are all from an earlier model.

The manual was published in Missouri, USA in 1975 and the back cover reads "Front cover photo courtesy of U.S. Suzuki Motor Corporation". It's confused me for a while.

tz375 · Post by **tz375** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 10:25 pm

And let's not forget that Suzuki, along with everyone else, did not do a clean model cut off. There were always parts introduced early and some later because of parts availability issues.

And they also appear to have used multiple suppliers. Case in point is L model front fenders. Both types appear in official Suzuki adverts.

Bluehaze · Post by **Bluehaze** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 1:54 pm

http://s1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee3 ... ze1/GT550/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Must admit my carb boots are the same as the one shown, and my bike was imported from the U.S.A. (San Fernando I believe) a 1975 model M

H2RICK · Post by **H2RICK** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 6:18 pm

The plot thickens.....

I have to say in all my years that I've never seen a one piece linkage boot. I wonder if it was tried for awhile and didn't work out ??
Maybe that's why my A model has a two piece setup ??
I sure would like to get my mitts on two or three paper parts books for the 550......say the 1974, 1976 and 1977 editions.....although I'm not sure the '77 edition even exists because that's about the time the factory switched over to microfiche parts lists.

Post by **oldjapanesebikes** » Fri Mar 25, 2011 6:01 pm

johnakay wrote:I have a feeling that Rocky is no longer with us or that he is seriously ill.
I have not heard from him since last year and it is not like Rocky not to reply to my emails.

Heard from him today - he was on his way to a Peter Frampton concert

Almost as bad as a country and western concert, but other than that, he seems fine

Craig380 · Post by **Craig380** » Sat Mar 26, 2011 3:56 am

[quote="oldjapanesebikes] he was on his way to a Peter Frampton concert [/quote]

That's worrying, we'd better arrange an intervention

Glad he seems OK.

johnakay · Post by **johnakay** » Sat Mar 26, 2011 9:05 am

thats good news but why hasn't Rocky replied to my emails.
or got involve on here. Peter Frampton concert! one hit wonder

H2RICK · Post by **H2RICK** » Sun Mar 27, 2011 7:04 pm

Glad to hear that, Ian. Rocky is a great source of knowledge on Euro spec bikes.....and his pics of his rides are great, too.

Peter Frampton ?? Well, he can play the guitar reasonably well.
I wonder why he doesn't tour more....

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