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Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2019 6:46 pm
by jabcb
I had offered the pipes at a hard to beat price: shipping cost + $1. Got no serious interest other than the garbage man, who hauled them away some time ago.

Also offered the fugly fairing & got no interest. Had it stored in a friend’s garage. He moved & its now gone but I don’t know what he did with it. Might have ended up being used for target practice.

Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2019 9:48 pm
by cobraace
jabcb wrote:I had offered the pipes at a hard to beat price: shipping cost + $1. Got no serious interest other than the garbage man, who hauled them away some time ago.

Also offered the fugly fairing & got no interest. Had it stored in a friend’s garage. He moved & its now gone but I don’t know what he did with it. Might have ended up being used for target practice.
Sorry I miss it :(

Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2020 12:13 pm
by jabcb
Project nearing completion.

From scratch wiring just about done. Using new rectifier & regulator from Oregon Motorcycle Parts, CustomLED LED flasher & GS-series starter relay. Using relay to connect regulator directly to the battery.
Imagecafe-GT550-1352 by jabcb, on Flickr

Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2020 2:33 pm
by jabcb
Wiring done. Just a few little tasks left.
Imagecafe-GT550-1369 by jabcb, on Flickr

Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2020 4:33 pm
by Zunspec4
Wow, that's looking super sweet, jabcb 8) 8) 8) :up:

Cheers Geoff

Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2020 5:32 pm
by Evans Ward
What a beauty! :clap: Can’t wait to see the completed project!

Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2020 6:30 pm
by joolstacho
Super-tidy mate, well done. :clap:

Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Posted: Mon Sep 07, 2020 10:58 am
by jabcb
Using angled tapered K&N filters. Outer filters need to be rotated to clear early side covers. But then the right filter contacts the oil pump cover — problem easily solved by removing part of the cover.
Imagecafe-GT550-1449 by jabcb, on Flickr

Am now done except for the mirrors and Higgspeed exhaust.
Imagecafe-GT550-1450 by jabcb, on Flickr

Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2020 2:04 pm
by jabcb
Higgspeed exhaust is here.

Turns out that there is a small difference between early & late frames. Not as big as was with the GT380 build. Practice makes perfect.

Looks like designing a side stand that doesn’t mess with cornering clearance is going to be more of a challenge that on the GT380.
Trial adapter for the left exhaust:
Imagecafe-GT550-1506 by jabcb, on Flickr

Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2020 4:30 pm
by Alan H
Very nice. I do love the Gold GT550 J.

Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 6:34 am
by jabcb
Matches nicely with gold 71 T350.
ImageT350-1971_0696 by jabcb, on Flickr

Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2021 11:37 am
by jabcb
Might have the side stand figured out. Using a GS750 stand bracket, a TS90 stand & a thick spacer. The tab for operating the stand will be a bit tricky to design & make.

Imagecafe-GT550-1616 by jabcb, on Flickr

Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2021 4:37 pm
by jabcb
Nice spring weather so I’m working to finish up the GT550 build.
Higgspeeds are mounted. Sidestand figured out — just need to figure out the tab.

First startup video:
Imagecafe-GT550-1806 by jabcb, on Flickr

Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2021 12:20 am
by Alan H
Drill out the two threads on the stand bracket and put some larger nuts & bolts through instead.
It was a 'dodge' back with the early 550s as the sidestand tended to come loose as it only had 2 bolts through the bracket. All the following brackets (K to B) had 3 bolts and a heavier bracket and mount for the stand.
I did it with my 1st 550J almost as soon as I bought it in 1972 and also the J I've just finished.

Yours looks really well.

Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2021 4:02 am
by jabcb
I’m using longer bolts that provide for an additional nut. Plus Locktite on that additional nut.