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550 cylinder ridge

Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2023 11:41 am
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.

Re: 550 cylinder ridge

Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2023 7:21 am
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...

Re: 550 cylinder ridge

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2023 11:04 am
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.

Re: 550 cylinder ridge

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2023 7:28 am
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

Re: 550 cylinder ridge

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2023 7:47 am
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.

Re: 550 cylinder ridge

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2023 9:38 am
by kawonda750
Thank you Alan. I will do that.

Re: 550 cylinder ridge

Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2023 1:25 pm
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.

Re: 550 cylinder ridge

Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2023 11:31 am
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.....

Re: 550 cylinder ridge

Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2024 11:38 am
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:

Re: 550 cylinder ridge

Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2024 11:46 am
by Alan H
The joys of restoring.......

Re: 550 cylinder ridge

Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2024 12:51 pm
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.

Re: 550 cylinder ridge

Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2024 8:45 am
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.

Re: 550 cylinder ridge

Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2024 11:56 am
by kawonda750
Image

I picked up the crankshaft today. All bearings, seals and rods have been replaced.
Let the fun begin...

Re: 550 cylinder ridge

Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2024 1:57 pm
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