GT550M - Leaking Pipes Question?

[Syd]

My GT550M restoration is all done and I'm just about to get her vinned and registered to ride on the road however are leaking pipes from the small drain holes under the LH & RH exhaust pipes normal like this (see photo)? I have never owned a Suzuki GT550 before and this amount of leaking is after running the engine for 5-10 minutes when I periodically start her up. I have not taken the bike for a long ride yet so maybe this will help clear all of this stuff out when everything is hot?

[karl pa]

The leaking is most likely from condensation, It is like you said, it should clear after a good run .

[GTandcbr]

+1 with Karl. Two strokes do not like being started in the garage and then switched off. The moisture on the floor is very likely a build up of condensation and carbon from the inside of your pipes. A good run will blow it all out. The good news is the drain holes did their job. A build up in the pipes is not good thats why i always make sure to clear them when i clean the bike

[Syd]

Thanks guys

[Syd]

Can't see the need for these messy small drain holes at all - I would be interested to know if anyone has simply plugged these small drain holes with a blind rivet or plug and fixed the leaking problem for good on a GT550? Seems like to good idea..

[GTandcbr]

The holes are very necessary. If plugged moisture will build up and rust will begin on the inside. If the bike is used frequently the drips are very minimal. I once helped a mate pick up a GT380 that had been started and switched off in a garage for a whole year. When we pushed it up the ramp about 2 litres of water poured out.

[Syd]

Good point, thanks

[Hush]

How did you get on with your bike, I too am in NZ (Napier) and have just finished a GT550 L rebuild, trying to get it to run right now. Very hard finding an old school two stroke mechanic who knows how to tune these old girls. My bike runs well, starts first kick or on the button but can't get the idles to settle or the tacho to stop jumping around.

[Alan H]

Take the carbs off and set them on the bench making sure that the slides are EXACTLY the same height and close/move together.
Then go for a (at least) 10 mile run to clear the engine and exhausts, you might find that's what it really needs.
Air screw tweaking/tickover adjusting afterwards. If you have issues with low speed poor running, use carb cleaner to blow through ALL the jets and airways to make sure they are clear while the carbs are off the bike.
Are you running standard airbox, air filter and exhausts?

[Syd]

Sorry, I thought I had answered this. I took the bike for a 20 km ride which seemed to fix the problem so condensation was the problem. All a bit of a learning curve..