GT550 budget build

[pearljam724]

I like your observation on the rear wheels and I agree 100%. These bikes with the larger stock rear wheels have terrible ground clearance. I know how low my GS sits with the 16's. But, there is a lot better ground clearance with that bike's exhaust and engine cases. I couldn't imagine dropping the GT's lower. It pretty bad at stock height. Yes, that filter is available through Suzuki under $5. Buy 2, one for the reserve and another for the main feed. You'll want to buy another o ring that seals the petcock to the tank surface as well. They always leak, after you remove the petcock and reinstall it. Also available for 3 bucks or so. I'd buy a couple of those too.

[Cragdog]

I like your observation on the rear wheels and I agree 100%. These bikes with the larger stock rear wheels have terrible ground clearance. I know how low my GS sits with the 16's. But, there is a lot better ground clearance with that bike's exhaust and engine cases. I couldn't imagine dropping the GT's lower. It pretty bad at stock height. Yes, that filter is available through Suzuki under $5. Buy 2, one for the reserve and another for the main feed. You'll want to buy another o ring that seals the petcock to the tank surface as well. They always leak, after you remove the petcock and reinstall it. Also available for 3 bucks or so. I'd buy a couple of those too.

Thanks man,
Yeah I'm not really interested in lowering the bike as many would do trying for the cafe look. Rather, I would like this machine to handle as optimally as it can with close to stock settings. I really like what Allan from Denmark has done with his machine. I will be trying for something similar. I think the Jemco exhaust system gives a little better side to side clearance, at least on the left side.

[Cragdog]

Actually, perhaps not since the chamber section sits just below the cases, and with stock pipes the belly really doesn't open up until its behind the motor..

[pearljam724]

Something to consider. I bought these piggybacks off of Ebay for about a hundred bucks. The seller was a little slow on getting them to me, so he refunded me a good bit of that sale price. They are sold in different colors. I like them because they raise the rear of the bike quite a bit and are fully adjustable. You can adjust ride height and dampening by means of the collar or air for the dampening. The bottom mount also screws in or out to raise or lower ride height an extra half inch beyond the sag you set with the collars. With them my 750 handles a lot better. Anytime, any bike is raised it will improve corner handling. You can also raise the front, by dropping the forks through the triple trees a 1/4 - 1/2 inch. But, that won't cure the ground clearance issues. But, expansions chambers improve that a good bit. All the 750's sag far too much in the rear and there is next to no adjustability with the stock shocks. They sell them in different lengths. I measured my stock shocks eye to eye. And estimated what length I would need to buy to raise the rear 1 1/4 " Well worth the money.

[Cragdog]

Well I found a steal of a deal on an 80 GS1000 parts bike, so went and picked that up yesterday. When I got there the seller had an extra set of wheels and front end he only wanted $40 for so I picked those up as well, the spare wheels and tires seem to be in nice usable condition. I will have to adapt the rear disk brake for the GT, but I like the idea of doing so regardless, it is a 17 rear, not the 18 I was hoping for, however there seems to be a surplus of GS parts in my area if one day I want to go with the 18.





Not fully sure what I'll do with the GS yet.. It was just such a good deal I couldn't pass it up. The PO used it to get his other 1100 running so he took the regulator/rectifier and a few other bits, bike was last registered in 2011 so there's probably a good bit of DMV fees, depending on how much I might try and fix it up or just sell it for more than I paid for it.

[Cragdog]

Starting to feel like I might be able to ride the GT come February . If March rolls around and I still haven't done my first road test then I've been wasting time and not focusing enough, if that happens I would encourage the members of this board would give me some serious crap..


The gas tank has been a pain to clean and seems to have gotten to a point where the electrolysis is no longer working. Think I might give in and buy the Kreem cleaning kit. The petcock on the other hand cleaned up really nicely, just need to wait for those new fuel screens and gasket.
Although I still have quite a bit of work remaining, I am feeling like some good progress will come by week's end.

[jabcb]

I see you have a Kokusan alternator. Good time to upgrade to a Nippon Denso alternator if you want more output.

[Cragdog]

I see you have a Kokusan alternator. Good time to upgrade to a Nippon Denso alternator if you want more output.

Thanks jabcb, I do have a spare Nippon Denso system and had considered it, but I doubted it would make any difference in performance. I know it can supply more electrical load, but besides adding electrical accessories (which I don't anticipate doing) how would I benefit from the ND alternator?

[Alan H]

Just spare capacity and keeps the electrics on top line easier. If you don't need the extra, fair enough, but it's nice to have a bit more if you ever decide to fit running lights or anything else.
Too much is never enough!!

[Suzukidave]

I give ya 10 points for creative use of garage extra's for the front end stand

[Alan H]

THIS LINK gives details of GS wheels.
It seems the different models, not years have different wheels.
Might give some different options. Lots of other models shown if you tweak the link.
But if you're not a link tweaker, try THIS ONE and save it as favourite or to your desktop.

[Cragdog]

THIS LINK gives details of GS wheels.
It seems the different models, not years have different wheels.
Might give some different options. Lots of other models shown if you tweak the link.
But if you're not a link tweaker, try THIS ONE and save it as favourite or to your desktop.

Yes I have visited his site quite a few times now. Really cool how much information he has compiled about Suzuki bikes.
I believe the spare wheels and front end I got are from the 1100 model. I think they will look good on the 550

[yeadon_m]

+1 on an excellent website Jarno runs - the fella also has excellent taste, owning GTs and of course a modern bruiser (GSX1400) like I do too )
I'm sorry to have learned that the '14 never made it to the US, it really is fantastically suited to big distances, unlike the country roads in East Kent, UK!
Mike

[Cragdog]

More pictures.
This is just a mock up of the gs1100 front end fitted to the 550. Looks like it might work out nicely, couple of things I need to consider however:
1. I haven't torqued the steering stem down to spec, so I can't tell if the lower tapered bearings from the GS stem will be a precise fit in the GT's neck since there is about 2mm of space as seen in the picture, but I am inclined to think once fully pressed together it would work. HOWEVER, this is my first attempt at messing with a steering stem so please correct me if I am making false assumptions.
2. I'm not sure what exactly they're called, so I'll call them "stays". But the steering "stays" for the GS prevent the front from turning right so they will need to be modified so I have full range of steering.
3. I know I should be asking the GS forum this question, but anybody know what the purpose of the silver parts at the bottom of the GS forks? It looks like brake fluid goes into the forks?..

[Alan H]

The lugs that restrict steering are lock stops and might need modifying to be more like the 550 triple tree stops to get the full range of steering and also to be able to use the steering lock.
The silver parts are the anti dive system. When you use the front brake it stiffens the suspension so the front end dips less. Some can be blanked off, not sure about that particular one.
Looks like the rollers aren't right. Maybe the cup in the steering head base needs to go further up. You shouldn't see the rollers when it's nipped up. Did you mix gs & gt parts? Make sure the top cup of the bearing fits correctly.