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Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic
Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2021 9:36 am
by texranger
Stunning...love the color! Great job
Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic
Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2021 1:22 pm
by jabcb
Some carb adjustments & now idling nicely. Itching to get the side stand finished so I can go for the first test ride.
Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic
Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2021 1:31 pm
by Alan H
jabcb wrote: ↑Fri Apr 09, 2021 1:22 pm
Itching to get the side stand finished so I can go for the first test ride.
Make sure it's 'up' before you set off!!!
Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic
Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2021 9:18 am
by jabcb
Test fit of modified side stand — looking good. Should have the bike on the road soon.
cafe-GT550-1886 by
jabcb, on Flickr
Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic
Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2021 12:44 pm
by jabcb
Side stand finished.
cafe-GT550-1913 by
jabcb, on Flickr
Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic
Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 9:59 am
by jabcb
Looking good.
cafe-GT550-1917 by
jabcb, on Flickr
Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic
Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2021 2:19 pm
by Zunspec4
Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic
Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2021 12:51 pm
by jabcb
Thanks. But, rats.
Petcock leaks around a drip every 10 ~ 15 seconds. It’s a reconditioned petcock that I bought from somebody a few years ago.
Plus float bowl gaskets weep a bit — perhaps because of the leaking petcock.
Wanted to have it ready for a local show next weekend. So I’m looking into doing a manual conversion of an old petcock.
Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic
Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2021 1:00 am
by Alan H
Difficult to use an inline tap unless you use a later single pipe version and a 3 way 'T' piece to feed the 3 carbs.
Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic
Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2021 10:37 am
by jabcb
I’m converting an old GT-series 3-outlet petcock to manual.
Pretty straight forward: block off the two passages to the vacuum value with set screws + JBWeld, and flip the lever mechanism around. This gives you off (lever down), on (lever forward) & reserve (lever up).
Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic
Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2021 2:58 pm
by Alan H
If you can, post pics of the 'mods' to the tap and I'll 'sticky' the thread for others to easily find.
Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic
Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2021 12:40 pm
by jabcb
Petcock mod worked great. Will post a separate topic detailing the mods.
First ride — started & ran perfectly. But mother nature noticed a spiffy new cafe build on its first ride & the results are:
cafe-GT550-1925 by
jabcb, on Flickr
Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic
Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2021 3:40 pm
by Alan H
Oh, soggy heck (or similar). But on the upside, that gold looks well when wet.
Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic
Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2022 8:26 am
by jabcb
Preferred the maximum-coolness look of a 3-into-1 + the 4LS.
Couldn’t go with the Jemco 3-into-1 like I have on the gray GT750. Jemco is back in business but they no longer make the 3-into-1s.
Higgspeed started making them. Here is a test fit:
cafe-GT550-2245 by
jabcb, on Flickr
Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic
Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2022 8:36 am
by Alan H
A 3-1 does sound nice, and shouldn't make a blind bit of difference top end wise as the weight loss is significant.