The 550 so far

[Alan H]

Bought this K almost two years ago as I mentioned in much earlier posts.
Bought lots of spares and several more 550s for future rebuilds - while I'm on the roll!
Anyway here we are at the moment.
Frame and all the black bits blasted and powder coated.
Frame, swing arm, forks now built up and hung on ropes from the garage roof!
Clocks on, tin/plasticwork painted and started to fit.
Front wheel on, disc to do yet (one or two? Not sure yet.)
Rear wheel was kak, so new stainless rim and spokes done this week, new tyre fitted today.
New Dunlop Arrowmax Streetsmart fitted to both wheels now.

Engine still to smarten up and quite a lot still to do, but hope to get it all done by the end of July - we shall see!!

This is how it started.

[Alan H]

And now - so far anyway....

Doesn't show too much detail other than the state of my garage!
Hopefully I'll get the back wheel in tomorrow and get her outside for some better pics.
The clocks are smartened up now and fitted and some other bits, but it's a bit cramped so photos aren't too good yet.

[pearljam724]

Lookin great my friend. The 550 model paint schemes are hard to pick one being nicer than the other. With maybe the exception of the red one with yellow decals. I don't care for it. I really like your paint scheme. Among many others.

[Coyote]

Looks you're heading in the right direction. Having run one for half my life, I couldn't help but spot the little engine lathe. Who makes that and is it any good?

[Alan H]

Looks you're heading in the right direction. Having run one for half my life, I couldn't help but spot the little engine lathe. Who makes that and is it any good?

Well spotted!
It's a Clarke CL300M (clicky linky) and I got it brand new for half price as the guy was getting divorced! I should have bought the miller attachment though.
It's OK, 240vAC but runs DC. Multi speed on a rheostat, auto feed etc, and a load of spares including a 4 jaw chuck, tail chuck & tailstock revolving centre plus lots more. It's very handy for small stuff but limited by a small throat size so you can't spin a bike triple tree easily!
Although there is a way....
So realistically, I would prefer a lathe a bit bigger, but it manages most jobs.

You couldn't see the pillar drill properly or the three grinders, polishers, & linishers on the other side though. The garage is quite empty compared to when there was 4 GT550s in and the concrete floor collapsed last year. (Honest!!)

[Alan H]

She sees the sunshine at last. Still plenty to do......

[H2RICK]

She's a beauty, Alan. You've done a lot of nice work.......and really pushed out the boat on the paint.
Grace Lime Metallic.......what a name for such a nice colour !!!!
Post some more pics when she's all together.
If she runs as nice as she looks you'll for sure have a winner.

[yeadon_m]

Alan,
Sweet. You might want to re-think that top box, though )
Cheers,
Mike

[Alan H]

I thought it would be OK if I went for a quick blast.........

[H2RICK]

I thought it would be OK if I went for a quick blast.........

[yeadon_m]

I only just got that

[Alan H]

[Alan H]

Never realised I didn't complete this thread, so here's the complete rebuild posted on Kettle Clinic (which is actually for all Suzy 2 strokes, not just the big 'un), for anyone's interest. Bike sold some time ago to fund a 550A rebuild!!
https://www.kettleclinic.co.uk/kcforum/ ... 778#p15778