Given a 75 GT550, should I even try to get it running?

[Barry S.]

Thanks!

can the head be removed without taking the engine out of the cradle?

Yes it can.

[Cliff]

Thanks!

can the head be removed without taking the engine out of the cradle?

Yes it can.

[H2RICK]

Do these engines use copper head gaskets that I can reuse after annealing them with the propane torch?

Nope, they use a composition gasket with a stainless steel "fire ring"....
non-reusable.

[Coyote]

Complete gasket sets show up on ebay all the time. Like this one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SUZUKI-G ... 1e5c80246f" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[bobotech]

Oh thats cheap. I shall purchase after I get my engine apart to see if it is worth saving or not.

[bobotech]

Well I started working on the bike today. First thing I did was remove the petcock and drain the tank. Holy crap does 30 year old gas STINK!! Just think about it, the bucket of gas I have probably cost 2 or 3 dollars back in 1981 compared to the 12 to 16 dollars that it would cost today. Anyone wanna buy some used gas cheap?

The petcock was NASTY. the filters were covered in some black goo. Got the filters off but one if them is completely destroyed, are there replacement available? I tore the petcock apart and was able to save all the rubber/plastic pieces. I am soaking the metal only pieces in my carb cleaner tank for the night and will put that back together tomorrow.

I pulled the spark plugs and poured some marvel mystery oil down the chambers. I was told to let them sit for aabout 1 or 2 days, then heat up the cylinders with a propane torch, then put more marvel mystery oil down the chamber again and let it sit for another couple of days then try kicking it.

I also removed the carbs and tore into them. These are easy ones to rebuild, they are just like the yamaha 3 wheeler carbs that I have rebuilt except 3 of them. They look like Mikuni VM series carbs, is that right? The slides were slightly stuck on 2 of the bodies and the slide was solidly stuck on the 3rd. Managed to free them up and I tore into 1 of the carbs and have all the metal pieces and body soaking in carb cleaner. Nasty stuff in there.

[bobotech]

Also, i was kind of pleased that the tank was full of gas. I have heeard that its better that the tank be full when parked rather than empty so it doesn't rust. I can't see into the tank yet though, need a key.

[Cliff]

Now that you have the carbs. off have a look at the pistons etc.. Any rust or oxidation that you can see in there?? If not, then that's a good thing!! Spray some oil in the intakes, and maybe take off the exhaust pipes and do the same in the exhaust ports as well!
If you pull out the pivot pin at the front of the gas cap, I think the cap will come off!

[bobotech]

Yup, i can see some rust in there. I will try spraying in there as well.

[wvc]

a lot of the parts you will be needing are surprisingly still available brand new from Suzuki. Get a parts catalog, then take the actual part number you need to your local dealer, or one of the online oem parts houses. You'll be surprised how much is still available for the GT bikes.

[Coyote]

Those petcock filters are still available. Ask the dealer for part no. 44322-31050. You need 2.

[bobotech]

What about the rubber caps on top of the carb slides? Not the rubber caps on the pivots, but the ones on top of the actual slide? are those still available?

Mine have turned into a gummy goo. Its like gum on there. Heck, how do I get that black goo off the slides?

[Coyote]

Lacquer thinner will remove the black goo. The bellows boots are still available but they are pricey. About $60.00 for 3 of them. Paul Miller usually has a set available most times. You need to see if this motor is really salvagable before shelling out this kind of coin.

[bobotech]

Here are some pictures of my GT550 gift.

[BlkY2k]

I see your problem right now from the pics, your BFH isnt big enuff.