550 cylinder ridge

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kawonda750
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Country: canada
Suzuki 2-Strokes: 74 gt550, 88 Yamaha FZR400, 2019 Kaw Z900RS
Location: penetang, ontario

550 cylinder ridge

Post by kawonda750 »

Hi 1974 GT550. The bike has been sitting for a number of years. 9400 miles. Is there supposed to be a slightly bigger diameter ridge in the top about 2mm in the cylinder bore? It doesn't seem like wear.
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kawonda750
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Posts: 117
Joined: Wed Nov 28, 2012 4:48 pm
Country: canada
Suzuki 2-Strokes: 74 gt550, 88 Yamaha FZR400, 2019 Kaw Z900RS
Location: penetang, ontario

Re: 550 cylinder ridge

Post by kawonda750 »

I brought the cylinders to the machine shop yesterday. Turns out the ridge was wear and luckily, I didn't order the first oversize Wisecos because the bore was already 61.5. I ordered +1.0 from IMD in the UK. I am hoping these are good pistons but at least they have been in business for years . Lots of cleaning to do while I wait for the pistons but I think that this will be it for actual repairs. Famous last words, I know...

Interesting to note that postage from UK to Canada is cheaper than I can send a package to anywhere in Canada...
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Alan H
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Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2012 11:50 am
Country: England
Suzuki 2-Strokes: 4 x GT550s - J, M, A, B.
Location: The Republic of South Yorkshire

Re: 550 cylinder ridge

Post by Alan H »

IMD did the rebore on my 550J a couple of years ago. It runs very well & I would have no hesitation using them again.
Think of how stupid the average person is, then realise that half of them are more stupid than that.
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kawonda750
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Joined: Wed Nov 28, 2012 4:48 pm
Country: canada
Suzuki 2-Strokes: 74 gt550, 88 Yamaha FZR400, 2019 Kaw Z900RS
Location: penetang, ontario

Re: 550 cylinder ridge

Post by kawonda750 »

Thank you Alan.

Now, I am looking at the crankshaft for a rebuild. The only complete seal and bearing kit I see is from Cruzin Image. Has anyone used these? I know that I try to avoid their pistons although some Kawasaki guys have used them with good results. They aeem to be the only one where I wouldn't have to go to ebay and source each individual seal and bearing. They also have a kit with rods included.

Has anyone any experience with these kits?
Thanks Dave
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Alan H
Moto GP
Posts: 3172
Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2012 11:50 am
Country: England
Suzuki 2-Strokes: 4 x GT550s - J, M, A, B.
Location: The Republic of South Yorkshire

Re: 550 cylinder ridge

Post by Alan H »

I have had several 550 cranks done (and a 750 one) by Barry Wilkes in Birmingham. He owns & runs Kettle Clinic forum & kettle clinic on facebook - in fact he has my 550B that I need to pick up after some work that's just been done.
His email is baz99w@netscape.net .
Mention my name as an introduction & what you need.
Think of how stupid the average person is, then realise that half of them are more stupid than that.
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kawonda750
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Posts: 117
Joined: Wed Nov 28, 2012 4:48 pm
Country: canada
Suzuki 2-Strokes: 74 gt550, 88 Yamaha FZR400, 2019 Kaw Z900RS
Location: penetang, ontario

Re: 550 cylinder ridge

Post by kawonda750 »

Thank you Alan. I will do that.
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kawonda750
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Joined: Wed Nov 28, 2012 4:48 pm
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Suzuki 2-Strokes: 74 gt550, 88 Yamaha FZR400, 2019 Kaw Z900RS
Location: penetang, ontario

Re: 550 cylinder ridge

Post by kawonda750 »

I have received my +1.0 IMD pistons. Don't want to seem a doubter but clearance is listed as only 0.0015 inches. Wossners for my Kawasaki triple is 0.003. Has anyone any experience with these pistons. Their clearance requirements seem a little on the tight side. Or, is it the superiority of the Suzuki engine?
Just curious.
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kawonda750
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Posts: 117
Joined: Wed Nov 28, 2012 4:48 pm
Country: canada
Suzuki 2-Strokes: 74 gt550, 88 Yamaha FZR400, 2019 Kaw Z900RS
Location: penetang, ontario

Re: 550 cylinder ridge

Post by kawonda750 »

I got my cylinders back from the machine shop today.
Interesting point from the machinist and an awakening for me. He says that the cylinder liner metal is far superior to that on my previous Kawasakis. It machined up beautifully . He was raving about it and is now very impressed with Suzuki quality. :lol:

Of course, I am sure you guys already knew that.....
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kawonda750
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Posts: 117
Joined: Wed Nov 28, 2012 4:48 pm
Country: canada
Suzuki 2-Strokes: 74 gt550, 88 Yamaha FZR400, 2019 Kaw Z900RS
Location: penetang, ontario

Re: 550 cylinder ridge

Post by kawonda750 »

I had sent the crankshaft out for new seals and bearings in early December.. The shop has done a number of Kawasaki cranks for me. For Suzukis I have to source the parts myself which I did. He said that he wouldn't be able to get to it until after Christmas which was fine.
He called me yesterday to say that all 3 con rod big ends are rusted and no good. I was hoping they would be ok but Murphy's Law seems to have a different opinion.
Anyway, I have ordered rods and now must wait for them to come across the pond. Well, I now won't be lying when I say it is a brand new engine.... :cry: I guess that it is only money..... :cry:
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Alan H
Moto GP
Posts: 3172
Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2012 11:50 am
Country: England
Suzuki 2-Strokes: 4 x GT550s - J, M, A, B.
Location: The Republic of South Yorkshire

Re: 550 cylinder ridge

Post by Alan H »

The joys of restoring.......
Think of how stupid the average person is, then realise that half of them are more stupid than that.
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kawonda750
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Posts: 117
Joined: Wed Nov 28, 2012 4:48 pm
Country: canada
Suzuki 2-Strokes: 74 gt550, 88 Yamaha FZR400, 2019 Kaw Z900RS
Location: penetang, ontario

Re: 550 cylinder ridge

Post by kawonda750 »

The new rod kits arrived quickly. I dropped them off with the crank rebuilder today. I hope to have the crank back next weekend. Looking forward to getting this bike together.
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kawonda750
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Posts: 117
Joined: Wed Nov 28, 2012 4:48 pm
Country: canada
Suzuki 2-Strokes: 74 gt550, 88 Yamaha FZR400, 2019 Kaw Z900RS
Location: penetang, ontario

Re: 550 cylinder ridge

Post by kawonda750 »

The crank is finally ready. I pick it up on Sunday. Luckily the rebuilder has a vacation condo close to me which he comes to on weekends. The drive for me is only about a half hour rather than the 2 1/2 hours to his shop so he brings it up in his car and we do the exchange.

I will post some pics of the re-assembly as I do it.
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kawonda750
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Posts: 117
Joined: Wed Nov 28, 2012 4:48 pm
Country: canada
Suzuki 2-Strokes: 74 gt550, 88 Yamaha FZR400, 2019 Kaw Z900RS
Location: penetang, ontario

Re: 550 cylinder ridge

Post by kawonda750 »

Image

I picked up the crankshaft today. All bearings, seals and rods have been replaced.
Let the fun begin...
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kawonda750
On the main road
Posts: 117
Joined: Wed Nov 28, 2012 4:48 pm
Country: canada
Suzuki 2-Strokes: 74 gt550, 88 Yamaha FZR400, 2019 Kaw Z900RS
Location: penetang, ontario

Re: 550 cylinder ridge

Post by kawonda750 »

I am looking at how to re-assemble the crankcase top half. Do I thread the SRIS tubes through the top grommet in place while holding the top case, which seems hard to do or do I push out the grommet and thread the tubes through the big hole and push the grommet and tubes into place after?

None of the 3 manuals I have mentions this.
Thanks
Dave
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