Looking at a 75 GT550. What Should I Look For??

[sem65mg]

I may be looking at a GT550 this weekend. I'm older (65... how did I ever get here?!), and have owned quite a number of motorcycles, including a GT250 and GT550. I owned the GT's many years ago (bought them new) and they saw a lot of miles with no problems encountered whatsoever. I even rode my 550 on a 2,000 mile tour (in just a few days) with a big 'ol Daytona fairing on it. I've always done my own mechanical work on my motorcycles. My problem is that it's been so long, I'd appreciate some "quick tips' of things to look for that are specific to the GT550.

I have no photos of the bike I'm going to see. I know he has the tank off (presumably for winter storage?), so I might not see it run. Also... it's FREEZING and icy outside, so I know I won't be riding it. He is the original owner, and the bike only has 8,000 miles on it. He claims that it has always been stored inside and that it's never been ridden in the rain and has never been down. He claims that it looks almost new, with no pitting on chrome, no body damage or other defects.

Personally, I don't like the idea of driving a long distance to do a quick "once over" on a bike I have never seen, probably won't be started, and I won't be able to ride. BUT... I have been keeping my eyes open for a GT550, and this one might, just might, fit the bill for me. So, given my absence from the GT scene, any tips regarding what to look for would really be appreciated. Of course, it will be a major disappointment if I spend a day travelling and find out the bike is not what is claimed to be... entirely possible, especially with no photos.

Thanks in advance!

Steve

[Alan H]

Check brakes, chain and all 'normal' expendable items for working, that will at least show the basic condition. Kick it over check all compression feels similar. Is the battery OK? Get a syringe and squirt some fuel down the fuel line to the carbs to see if it will start or even better take a small plastic bottle with petrol in and a small spigot that will fit the fuel line, run the bike like that. Does the throttle twist or is it seized (linkage on the carbs). That should give you something to go at anyway.

It'll be nice to see that another 550 may be brought back to life.

[sem65mg]

Check brakes, chain and all 'normal' expendable items for working, that will at least show the basic condition. Kick it over check all compression feels similar. Is the battery OK? Get a syringe and squirt some fuel down the fuel line to the carbs to see if it will start or even better take a small plastic bottle with petrol in and a small spigot that will fit the fuel line, run the bike like that. Does the throttle twist or is it seized (linkage on the carbs). That should give you something to go at anyway.

It'll be nice to see that another 550 may be brought back to life.

Thanks for the suggestions, Alan. I'll definitely take some tools along, including my compression gauge. I hadn't thought of running it from a bottle. If the motor is free when kicked over, and everything is as the owner says, I would think I could get it to fire. And as he has owned it all these years, he should be familiar with the cold startup routine. Question: If the batter is bad, should I be able to get some fire by kicking? Also, I do have a Battery Tender I could take along.

Thanks again!

Steve

[Cragdog]

From all the reading I've done hear most people seem to agree that the battery for these old charging systems has to be in tip top shape for the bike to run properly on all three cylinders. The charging system on these bikes wont work with a dead battery even by kickstart unlike many later type charging systems with a permanent magnet, you could kick all day and it wont even cough... I might bring a good known battery with you if you really want to fire it up. If you end up buying take some photos I'm sure many of us would like to see what shape it is in. Best of luck!

[Vintageman]

First advice.

Don't get mugged! I went to look at 1974 GT750 which was described as you are now saying. When I got there the house looked rough. The bike was real rough nothing like I expected. The person was real desperate for money and did not understand why I would not buy. The price came way down about 50% off and still not worth it... He knew I had the cash with me and I could feel his frustration/desperation. I was alone. Not a week guy, but, he was with his friends that came in after me.. Lucky I did not pull in driveway and I was able to leave.

Use Google Earth and put the address in. Maybe you can see the house and tell if its a dump or decent home. Same with area/ Is it a poor town? Take a friend(s), Make sure you have a good exit, practice it, and leave cash in vehicle.


If the bike truly has low oxidation that is certainly one of the most important things along with it being complete. That is so important. If the seat is rotted not cool. Look at pics of model and make sure it is not a few bikes made into one. Mechanicals can be fixed. Cranks are tough if seal bad, can't really tell unless air box was off and you could feel suction per carb as a sanity. I think GT550 has had good luck with seals

If you can't hear it run that is a risk. Putting tank on is easy and if he has no Batt bring/buy one. Talk about this ahead of time live on phone.

If he won't start and you still want it remove plugs *since tank is off easy" and check inside and plugs. Put your finder over the plug hole and move kick start and feel for compression. Raise piston and look with flash light. Check clear oil lines for oil inside not big empty air pockets.

I hope it is you hope it is !

[Cliff]

Check the exhaust pipes. Are they the original 3 into 4 or aftermarket chambers? On the original pipes, check for cracks in the outer pipes under the driver foot pegs, check the welded seams for rust/splitting, check the under side for holes/rust. Check the removable baffles if possible. Lightly hit the side of the pipes with your hand and listen for any rattles or anything loose inside. Check the center cylinder pipe at the cross over tubes for rust/holes etc...
Almost anything else on the old girl can be repaired/replaced at a reasonable price, not so much the exhaust!!

[sem65mg]

Wow!! What great tips!!!! Thanks so much, guys! And yes, there are some scary Craigslist stories out there! But I hadn't thought of that. Google Earth is a good idea.

Steve

[pearljam724]

I would not be scared off from buying the bike given the limited amount of information from the buyer. But yes, at the very least require several pictures first. Just a few months ago, I drove all the way to freakin Maine from Pa. to purchase what I thought was a oil tanker truck that I had been looking for. I had pictures and info, etc. Only to be shown a very similar truck with a different vin number and higher mileage. Don't make that mistake. I wanted to urinate in that guys face. It cost me a lot of money and time for absolutely nothing. Like Cliff mentioned, anything on these bikes can easily be repaired or replaced. But, an exhaust, tank or new quality paint job usually is expensive. But, you can say that about any bike.

[Coyote]

There are still some 'gems' left out there. I too bought this from the original owner. It also had 8,000 miles on it. He wanted $1,000 for it and I gave $800. The bike started after about 3,000 kicks and it ram horrible. Idle was about 4,000, but I had to read between the lines, due to the overall condition. I bought it and barely made it 7 miles home. Total carb disassembly and clean / sync. Bingo! it ran like a top. The only real problem was rust in the tank. I tried to ride it like that but had to clean out the carbs weekly. Finally had the tank derusted and sealed. Replaced the battery. those erer the only 'added' expenses Sadly, I sold it about a year later because I had my eye on a GS1000. I still have that bike to this day -- 14 years later.
I am a senior as well and have you by a couple of years. All I can say is rust in the tank is extremely common. It will cost you about $50 to fix (yourself) and a new battery is about that at Wally World. Tires are another expense. If the bike is original, the tires are bound to be dry rotted and will need replaced. That could cost you $250 or so. Gook luck and I hope she is whAt she claims to be.
By all means, look over the exhausts really well. They are not available new and used ones are mostly junk.
Here she is! Why did I ever let that go Lord? (it's a 76)
p.s. If the mike is original, the front fender will have 2 stays. One like this and another ahead of the forks. Decent fenders are also hard to come by.

[Coyote]

I almost forgot. Make SURE the electric starter works. They had problems through 75 (self destruct). The starter was redesigned for the 76 - 77. Suzuki used to sell a replacement starter kit for the earlier bikes - but no longer. Sometimes they show up on ebay - used. My current 75 had an exploded starter clutch when I bought it. I managed to 'steal' one of ebay for $35 complete.So you will need to take a battery along. Your battery tender wont deliver enough oomph to start it.

[Alan H]

Complete clutches are available regularly if needed on ebay, but the early ones were OK if looked after and checked regularly. I always had the impression that the clutches were uprated to Borg Warner well before the service bulletin, but maybe that's just my memory playing up again. LINK HERE Then GT26.
Thanks to OJB for the link availability.

[Coyote]

WELLL, how was it?

[sem65mg]

Well...... darn!! I've been trying to get in touch with the guy for days now. He hasn't returned any calls. I don't know if it's sold or not. According to Craigslist, the posting "has expired".

I had questions for him before I did 6 hours on the road. He said no pics were available, and that one sale had fallen through (which I thought strange... if someone was looking for a GT550, and it was as nice as said it was, I would think it would have sold). I'm going to call him again to try to find out what's up. But it might be history now. I had even arranged to borrow a friend's pickup for the drive up.

Back to square one! I'll keep on looking!

Thanks everyone! Your replies have not been in vain.... they have all been great and I'll hang on to them until next time!

Steve