GT550 Starter or not?

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RossB
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Suzuki 2-Strokes: RD400 T500 Titan GT550

GT550 Starter or not?

Post by RossB »

Hey Gents!
Just finishing my GT550 engine up. I'm on the fence about running electric starter,found old style clutch gear and rebuild kit the old one is in many pieces! I know old style system is extremely weak and finding Borg-Warner style is impossible to find.Thinking just leave springs and paws out and making it kick only or take my chances and run electric starter? Any feedback would be much appreciated.
Thank you!
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Alan H
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Re: GT550 Starter or not?

Post by Alan H »

The old style starter is ok if you have a good battery, correct oil and level, plus all the parts are ok to start with. I never had a problem with my original 550J back in 72 to 76 (about 50000 miles), the 550K 2014 to 2017 (3000 miles) and the 550J that I'm rebuilding has an original starter clutch.
Think of how stupid the average person is, then realise that half of them are more stupid than that.
RossB
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Suzuki 2-Strokes: RD400 T500 Titan GT550

Re: GT550 Starter or not?

Post by RossB »

Thanks
I would like electric start one question there are theses little spring holders opposite side of engaging barrels they fit on far end there not held in by anything besides the outer cover and can work there way out should they be pressed in? Can't seem to find a view or theses little boogers! They fit in little counter bore maybe there not supposed to come out?
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Alan H
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Re: GT550 Starter or not?

Post by Alan H »

Image

The springs go in the clutch housing and the 'spring holders' are actually the bearing faces that the springs go in and push against the one way rollers. Yes I know the rollers can rotate in either direction, but in the 'drive' direction, they move against the springs and lock into the narrow end of the chamfer and when the engine has started, the springs force the rollers to the wide end of the chamfers so they can rotate freely. Without a correct oil level, these eventually go dry and overheat, losing their hardness, and when used again (and again) jam and shatter.
Think of how stupid the average person is, then realise that half of them are more stupid than that.
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Alan H
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Re: GT550 Starter or not?

Post by Alan H »

Incidentally, the starter clutches work the same, and use the same rollers, springs and roller push pieces on the 550J and 750J. Different reports regards when they were changed - either K or L models, so early K's will probably be the same and maybe some L's, but you'll have to look to be certain. The later clutches (on the 550s anyway) have to be changed entirely - except for plates, springs and pressure plate.
Think of how stupid the average person is, then realise that half of them are more stupid than that.
RossB
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Re: GT550 Starter or not?

Post by RossB »

Got that. I'm talking about the opposite side let's call it roller plate think it's bronze the springs need to be retained from coming out,not on barrel side that makes contact with starter clutch gear on large outside diameter little pins with a step in it and tiny hole in middle. Don't think there supposed to come out. That's why we never see it in in parts list or in schematic views. Think they work there way out drop in and get jammed up in rollers. When it gets hot plate expands and let's pins drop out there's not much pressed in to begin with and the hole in the middle is so small don't see how any oil could get down in there to do any good. But I could be wrong?
Thanks!
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Alan H
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Re: GT550 Starter or not?

Post by Alan H »

You've lost me on this one. Post a pic and put an arrow pointing to the bit you mean.
Think of how stupid the average person is, then realise that half of them are more stupid than that.
RossB
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Re: GT550 Starter or not?

Post by RossB »

Here's some pics
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RossB
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Re: GT550 Starter or not?

Post by RossB »

Hope that helps that little pin keeps spring from coming out from cam plate all of them fell out.
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Alan H
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Re: GT550 Starter or not?

Post by Alan H »

Must admit, never noticed those. They are just 'there' so need to be in to retain the springs.
Not sure if I've an easily accessible early clutch to have a look at in the next few days. I'll try to find one and post my findings.
Just shows how we can learn new stuff all the time.
Think of how stupid the average person is, then realise that half of them are more stupid than that.
RossB
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Posts: 138
Joined: Wed Jun 08, 2016 12:54 pm
Country: United States
Suzuki 2-Strokes: RD400 T500 Titan GT550

Re: GT550 Starter or not?

Post by RossB »

Sounds great thanks! I made up some new spring retainers and pressed them in there not going anywhere!
Take care!
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