Useful GT550 infornation

[Coyote]

Found this on Wikipedia while surfing around this morning. Thought it was worthwhile copying and posting. I was really trying to find out why the GT550 runs 'backwards. Didn't find that.

GT550 Engineering Changes And Modifications

From engine no. 23036 onwards: a new screw-in style of SRIS check valve was fitted to replace the original press fitted style.[8]
From engine no. 24552 onwards: a new spring type washer was fitted to retain the primary drive gear. Retrofitting earlier engines was recommended.[9]
From engine no. 25054 onwards: a new hardened steel key was fitted to the primary drive gear. Retrofitting earlier engines was recommended.[9]
From frame no. 32292 onwards: a revised front brake caliper piston, seals and brake pad set were fitted to alleviate brake disc squeaking.[10]
From engine no. 27536 onwards: for Nippon Denso alternators only a new rotor with revised winding style was fitted. This was to prevent premature failure of the field windings and consequent loss of charging current.[11]
From engine no. 32854 onwards: a new metal particle strainer was fitted to the SRIS check valves to replace the previous plastic items which had been found to melt in service.[12]
From frame no. 36783 onwards: a new style of spark plug cap and insulator to prevent unwanted high tension current flashover to ground on the Ram Air shroud.[13]
From frame no. 39304 onwards: a modified fuel petcock was fitted to prevent fuel starvation at high speed.[14]
From frame no. 60143 onwards: a revised Ram Air shroud with new style spark plug caps was fitted to again try to finally cure unwanted high tension current flashover to the shroud under certain conditions.[15]
From frame no. 60904 onward: a new style rear brake panel with wider brake shoes, a revised cam and arm are all fitted to improve rear braking performance.[16]
From engine no. 63692 onwards: a completely revised Borg-Warner style starter clutch and associated parts were fitted to improve the durability of the starter clutch. Field experience had shown that the old style 3 roller starter clutch was not durable enough. This modification can be retrofitted to earlier bikes as necessary.[17]
From frame no. 64337 onwards: a new style petcock lever seal was fitted to prevent fuel seepage from around the lever.[18]
From engine no. 66724 onwards: a new style gear indicator switch was fitted. The crankcases were also revised to accept this new style switch along with additional parts to cater for the new switch.[19]

[Coyote]

Found this on Wikipedia while surfing around this morning. Thought it was worthwhile copying and posting. I was really trying to find out why the GT550 runs 'backwards'. from it's 2 brothers. No can find.

GT550 Engineering Changes And Modifications

From engine no. 23036 onwards: a new screw-in style of SRIS check valve was fitted to replace the original press fitted style.[8]
From engine no. 24552 onwards: a new spring type washer was fitted to retain the primary drive gear. Retrofitting earlier engines was recommended.[9]
From engine no. 25054 onwards: a new hardened steel key was fitted to the primary drive gear. Retrofitting earlier engines was recommended.[9]
From frame no. 32292 onwards: a revised front brake caliper piston, seals and brake pad set were fitted to alleviate brake disc squeaking.[10]
From engine no. 27536 onwards: for Nippon Denso alternators only a new rotor with revised winding style was fitted. This was to prevent premature failure of the field windings and consequent loss of charging current.[11]
From engine no. 32854 onwards: a new metal particle strainer was fitted to the SRIS check valves to replace the previous plastic items which had been found to melt in service.[12]
From frame no. 36783 onwards: a new style of spark plug cap and insulator to prevent unwanted high tension current flashover to ground on the Ram Air shroud.[13]
From frame no. 39304 onwards: a modified fuel petcock was fitted to prevent fuel starvation at high speed.[14]
From frame no. 60143 onwards: a revised Ram Air shroud with new style spark plug caps was fitted to again try to finally cure unwanted high tension current flashover to the shroud under certain conditions.[15]
From frame no. 60904 onward: a new style rear brake panel with wider brake shoes, a revised cam and arm are all fitted to improve rear braking performance.[16]
From engine no. 63692 onwards: a completely revised Borg-Warner style starter clutch and associated parts were fitted to improve the durability of the starter clutch. Field experience had shown that the old style 3 roller starter clutch was not durable enough. This modification can be retrofitted to earlier bikes as necessary.[17]
From frame no. 64337 onwards: a new style petcock lever seal was fitted to prevent fuel seepage from around the lever.[18]
From engine no. 66724 onwards: a new style gear indicator switch was fitted. The crankcases were also revised to accept this new style switch along with additional parts to cater for the new switch.[19]

[pearljam724]

I don't think the 550 runs backwards. I think people mistakenly say that comparing the 550 to the 750 because you have to turn the crank in opposite directions when setting the timing. Only because the points plate is on opposite ends of the crank comparing the 2 bikes.

[yeadon_m]

the 3 triples' timing is indeed confusing that way: the 550 and 750 are directly driven points cams but on right and left sides respectively. The 380 is on the right, but is driven backwards by a plastic gear driven off the crank. gets me every time and I have to tap on the kickstarter to remind me which way it times!

Mike