Intro and new to us 1972 GT550J

[oldcyclehoarder]

Let's try this again, think I got my picture hosting squared away!

My wife and I are both avid collectors of old bikes, we're excited because we just picked up a 1972 Suzuki GT550J that looks to have been stored very well for the last 15 years. Just digging in and taking the carbs off for cleaning, and seeing what else we need to wade into.

Was excited to find this site, as it looks like the place to hang for this adventure. Both of us are basic wrenches so we rely on a lot of talented friends to assist and do major services to our bikes, but we have learned a lot along the way so we attempting to bring this one back all on our own. So we look forward to getting to know you all and learning here. We are located in Louisville KY.

Here are some of our other pieces.


The before pics







After spraying with simple green and some water, no scrubbing. Going to clean up nice!




The work begins wish us luck, we'll need it!

[jabcb]

Impressive collection.

There are some posts about rejuivinating crank seals with stuff like a diesel fuel mixture. Have never done it but its worth considering. Good luck with the GT550 — it looks like a sweet find.

[Alan H]

I've done it twice so far and it seems to work. Both GT550s, one had been stood over 40 years, the other 30 years. 1st one ran for 3000 miles before I sold the bike a couple of months ago, the other has about a thousand miles on and gets thrashed on a regular basis!

Just fill each crankcase with diesel (barrels off) and turn the engine over slowly, and many times over a few days. Drain and repeat.
The logic being that the diesel will soften any rust on the seal/crank faces and also soften the seals themselves. It also washes any old oil out of the bearings.
Over oil everything on reassembly and you'll need easy start for the first fire up. I also used premix as extra safety! That's mainly for the pistons/barrels though.
Hotter plugs help too.
After 5 minutes running at a fast tickover, the smog clears and the engine runs OK. Change plugs before it's run in anger.

I don't guarantee results, but a couple of pints of diesel is cheaper than a crank rebuild, so worth trying IMO.
If anyone else does try that method, please post and we'll see how effective it is.

[karl pa]

Nice collection
I used Alan's diesel method on a 75 t500 that sat for 30+ years, I have over 2000 miles on so far this year with no issues.

[oldcyclehoarder]

I've done it twice so far and it seems to work. Both GT550s, one had been stood over 40 years, the other 30 years. 1st one ran for 3000 miles before I sold the bike a couple of months ago, the other has about a thousand miles on and gets thrashed on a regular basis!

Just fill each crankcase with diesel (barrels off) and turn the engine over slowly, and many times over a few days. Drain and repeat.
The logic being that the diesel will soften any rust on the seal/crank faces and also soften the seals themselves. It also washes any old oil out of the bearings.
Over oil everything on reassembly and you'll need easy start for the first fire up. I also used premix as extra safety! That's mainly for the pistons/barrels though.
Hotter plugs help too.
After 5 minutes running at a fast tickover, the smog clears and the engine runs OK. Change plugs before it's run in anger.

I don't guarantee results, but a couple of pints of diesel is cheaper than a crank rebuild, so worth trying IMO.
If anyone else does try that method, please post and we'll see how effective it is.

Thanks for the guidance, Barrels off?

[oldcyclehoarder]

Nice collection
I used Alan's diesel method on a 75 t500 that sat for 30+ years, I have over 2000 miles on so far this year with no issues.

Thanks for the guidance we'll give it a go! Rookies at work

[Stev-o]

Congrats, that 550 cleaned up nice.

Plz tell us you WILL change those handle bars!

[oldcyclehoarder]

Congrats, that 550 cleaned up nice.

Plz tell us you WILL change those handle bars!

I know and that sissy bar, but the wife has claimed this one and she is loving it the way it is. So...... happy wife happy life.

[karl pa]

Rookies at work

After rebuilding 9 suzuki 2 stroke, I am still learning, that is half the fun, riding them is the other half.

[oldcyclehoarder]

Rookies at work

After rebuilding 9 suzuki 2 stroke, I am still learning, that is half the fun, riding them is the other half.

Thanks for the encouragement, every bike we have has been a new adventure and learning experience. We are slowly doing more and more of it ourselves.

[oldcyclehoarder]

Unrelated to mechanical, I scored this off of a 550 facebook page from a new friend in England. It's the little things!

[MikeH1A]

Welcome along. Lovely bike. I think that model is the best looking of the 550s - more muscular looking. That paintwork came up really well after simple attention - big bonus. I think the PO must have been a big fan of the Easy Rider movie back in the day

[oldcyclehoarder]

Welcome along. Lovely bike. I think that model is the best looking of the 550s - more muscular looking. That paintwork came up really well after simple attention - big bonus. I think the PO must have been a big fan of the Easy Rider movie back in the day

Me thinks your right LOL

[Vintageman]

The best thing to date to rejuvenate is ATP-205 re-seal or equivalent Blue Devil Seal Conditioner
https://www.amazon.com/ATP-AT-205-Re-Se ... NVW1LMhttp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;:
//www.autobarn.net/blue-devil-oil-stop-le ... r-8oz.html

I have used both. I know ATP-205 is correct... Blue Devil has multiple products so need to be sure

I mix it heavy with Diesel as stated here and let it soak in crankcase. I put some in gear oil to get at the seal from that side too.

The worst bikes I know of is the Suz twins where bearing gets oiled by crankcase versus injection oil. These get tried and even a little oil seepage causes heavy smoking from engine and eventual drain of gear oil.

I have tried this stuff on good old but bit stiff seals and it soften them and expands them a little, but it does not make them into jelly. I think this is the same stuff you see added to High Mileage Engine oils introduced not too long ago. I use this religiously on my projects and have skipped the time, risk and cost off shipping perfectly good cranks out for just new seals. No doubt after 40 years those seals have dried up some significant percentage.

If the seal is broke versus being dried, it of course wont work. So if your bike runs poor, blow sear oil out of gear case vent, or carb has lost suction ability, that is a wasted seal and this stuff wont fix

[oldcyclehoarder]

Thanks for the info, the Amazon link above is bad, but I found what you referenced thanks again.