Suzuki 2 Strokes

Hello everyone, I am new to this fine forum, thinking about trading a decent running 1978 KL250 for a GT550 that needs some work. I was told that the GT550 was a 1976, but from a little research I'm not sure that is correct. I haven't looked at it in person yet but in the picture it looks like it has a 1 into 3 throttle cable. According to what I found on the wiki page, a '76 should have push/pull throttle cables connected to a linkage? It has a single disc brake in front, so I know is not the first year. I tried to attach a picture, but was not allowed to (quota reached). I'm thinking it's a '73 (which happens to be the year I was born! ) because of the separate carbs and disc brake). I'm looking for opinions on what year you guys believe it is, please. I will try to ad a photo again later...

Anyway, I have owned many Japanese bikes but not one Suzuki. My first bike was a 1971 Yamaha R5-350 that I purchased for $15 at a garage sale. I had a '79 RD400 (Daytona) that I should have kept and am looking forward to maybe breathing new life into this old Suzuki.

Here's a link to the only picture I have of the bike:

http://kl250project.blogspot.com/2015/0 ... gt550.html

Looks like a mix up. Early engine, late carbs and possibly everything between could be any year!
You need the engine and frame numbers to check what it isand there's a site (can't post a link as I'm not at home), but the throttle should also go to the oil pump on the top right of the engine. If the current owner is running it on premix fuel, walk away.

I'd keep the KL250. That bike looks like a money-pit. The only good thing I see are the pipes. They look like Jemcos.



Lane

Alan H wrote:If the current owner is running it on premix fuel, walk away.

Thanks for the advice, Alan! He claims the oil pump is installed and, working so we'll see. My buddy told me to check for piston play, especially on the center cylinder. He says these triples are known to develop loose crank bearings and anything more than a few degrees of slop needs a crank rework. I saved my timing tool (dial indicator) from my RD400, so when I look at the bike I can pull a plug and check it. I'm guessing that I will have to remove the gas tank to get in there?

Still can't post the picture.

Gas tank can stay in place, but you will need to remove the top shroud (ram air duct). Most indicators won't reach the piston with that shroud in place. I don't know how serious you are or what your plan would be, but the bike can not be put back stock. Why? The rear of the frame has been cut off. Hard to tell how much but it appears to be about 6". Probably the result of a 12 pack and a hack saw. The bike could very well be a 76 the way I see it. Front fender should have a single rearward stay. Either the fender is not correct or the stay has been removed. There will be 2 holes on the rear of the fender if the stay is missing. Most alarming is the oil tank appears to be empty. As Alan said these bikes were not designed to run on premix like a Yamaha. If he is running premix, the crank bearings will be shot..
As Lane stated, it's a money pit. I guess that depends in your intentions. Gas tanks like to rust inside. Check that too. Approach with caution.

The cables on the 74 and later are of course different than the earlier models. There is one pull cable that operates the throttle and the oil pump. They work together as you roll on the throttle. The push cable is a single all by itself. Personally, I never use them. It's an overkill and makes it triple hard to get the cables on the pulley. Even if the pull cable breaks, the slides will return home.

Run, Forest! Run!

Thank you all for the advice. I rode up and looked at the bike today. Pulled the plugs and checked the piston TDC / crankshaft slop. Each one seemed within reasonable tolerances IMO... Anyway, I did take a few pictures... Couldn't add as attachments and these turned out huge, sorry.








The rear shocks have progressive springs, look nice and feel very solid.


The oil pump is installed and connected.


I was glad to see that the carbs are mounted on a rack with a nice linkage and it could be a '76 afterall.


Electronic ignition, the igniter reads GT380 and GT750 but I'm guessing the triples all had similar ignitions?

My mistake. The frame is not cut off. It's that weird bracket that threw me in the first posted photo. It would be interesting to see how that electronic ignition is hooked up. The ignition is the same for the 380 and 750. The 550 is the oddball and hard to find an off the shelf model that will work. The reason is the 380 and 750 have the ignition on the left. The 550 is on the right so essentially it's backwards. Apparently the owner made that one work - even though it's not made for the 550.
I see the fuel line but I don't see the vacuum line for the petcock. Maybe that has been changed too. See the open fitting just under and ahead if the left carb linkage? That's for a vacuum line. If the petcock has been changed to a manual, that fitting needs to be plugged. Otherwise results in a massive air leak.
All the myths you have heard about the triples are exactly that. Myths. Like your friend telling you the center cylinder crank bearing tends to get loose. That's simply not true. All the other myths like the center runs super hot and tends to seize - hogwash. How is they're still running after 39 years? Decide whatca gonna do?

Personally, I wouldn't touch it as it has been messed about too much, but your choice.
I hate pod filters, even more when they are damaged. Looks like an abused bike to me.
Lots non standard but it depends what you want/need and the state of your bank balance.
Get a better one, or a bank manger who loves your sister.

Here's a good test to help you decide......does it run? Your bike runs, if this one doesn't, that would be the end of discussion for me. You can evaluate a running machine, but a non-runner is a crap shoot. Non-runners should be CHEAP!!! If you make the trade, you may regret it, but you already know that. It's a matter of choice. My choice would be to keep looking.


Lane

The current owner says that he rode it home when he purchased it a couple years ago, and I believe him because he seems honest. I hope the vacuum line was capped if the petcock's not vacuum-actuated but I didn't look at the petcock. He drained the tank and carbs so it's possible that he removed the vacuum line at that point.

Right or wrong, we shook hands and will make the trade this Friday. I'm happy with the direction that was taken with the mods because if it were stock then I'd leave it alone-- but look forward to finishing it as a cafe bike.

Again, thank you all for the valuable input! I will try to update as this takes shape.

Good luck to you. I hope it goes your way.



Lane

I would have to ask, if it was running all that great, why did it get parked?