Hi all. I recently got a gt550 which is pretty far gone, but I want a new project now that my Kawa h1e is just about finished, (don`t think that was easy either). It needs a lot of new stuff and some can be saved. The engine is good inside but everything else needs renovation or in most cases replacement.Paid almost nothing as it looks a wreck but inside it`s amazingly good. I plan to just get it running by getting some preferrably older carbs as the unit carbs on it with the balance shaft etc is gone (actually bottoms are fine but all the upper assembly is rotted and unserviceable) a couple of electrical components like the starter relay, points assembly, and exhausts, and just see if it will fire. If not I will do a complete strip over a (very) long time.
Can anybody point me toward any of the following; exhausts; cdi ignition to replace points; left cover housing the shift shaft, (it was seized and broke on disassembly) swingarm. Just for a start.??
For any help thanks, Steve.
Oh, and I can`t read the chassis plate properly so exact model id is difficult, here`s a number I can read on the plate by sanding and rubbing with a lead pencil then rubbing it again- top #38685, below; 36898.
If you aren't too familiar with Suzuki two strokes, then you should find a printed multi-year parts manual helpful.
An eBay seller in New Zealand is a good source.
Parts manual for 73-77 is: http://www.ebay.com/itm/SUZUKI-Parts-Ma ... 0594622634
BAS (Bike Acquisition Syndrome) - too many bikes but have room for more
I have a swing arm complete with brake stay. I actually have 2 of them if someone else needs one. Probably have the bolt around here somewhere as well. Ill post up a pic later, or you can PM me. Would take $25 + shipping.
I was born with nothing and still have most of it left.
That`s awesome guys. I already have the Kiwi manual thanks. As for the swingarm I will hold off for now as post from the Us is considerable with weighty items, and I have a local guy who is selling a nearly complete bike which has many of the parts I need, he`s asking far too much on ebay so I don`t think he`ll sell it and says he`ll break it up if not. But I may come back tail down for the swingarm later so pls don`t write me off and thanks.
I am an idiot for trying to restore this, everything not inside the engine I uncover is rotten. Realistically I need a rolling chassis or a complete bike and make this the donor. I just have become a little infatuated with the gt`s now I`ve been reading and digging, much as I was with the mach 3 when I first got it. Good thing is I don`t have much tied up in it and I love waisting my time in the garage,(ie not in the house).
Hi Steve, from across the pond UK.. You are not wasting your time, in the .... MAN CAVE...... As we all came from there once, back in the day.( cave men) And you are doing what you want to, with your time.... The Suzuki motorcycle is a drug, with no cure, once it gets a hold of you, it will take all your time, and money, and leave you with nothing, except a garage full of parts you might need in the future,(sometimes double) and a half striped/built bike, and you thinking what you can sell, to get some more money to buy more parts....
Sorry. I didn't realize you were in AU. Yes, it would be cost prohibitive. I recently sent a GS1000 gas tank to AU, and shipping was $96USD. The swing arm is probably a little heavier than the tank. These 2 swing arms have been hanging around here forever anyway. They are stored indoors though.
I was born with nothing and still have most of it left.
Welcome aboard - and across from the triples site. I have your handlebars fitted to my H1 now and she looks purdy. I was about to send you a pic. Thanks again for that generous act. Hope all goes well with this project.
Burt Munro + John Britten + Kim Newcombe + Ivan Mauger = Kiwi Street Cred
greens8 wrote:That`s awesome guys. I already have the Kiwi manual thanks. As for the swingarm I will hold off for now as post from the Us is considerable with weighty items, and I have a local guy who is selling a nearly complete bike which has many of the parts I need, he`s asking far too much on ebay so I don`t think he`ll sell it and says he`ll break it up if not. But I may come back tail down for the swingarm later so pls don`t write me off and thanks.
I am an idiot for trying to restore this, everything not inside the engine I uncover is rotten. Realistically I need a rolling chassis or a complete bike and make this the donor. I just have become a little infatuated with the gt`s now I`ve been reading and digging, much as I was with the mach 3 when I first got it. Good thing is I don`t have much tied up in it and I love waisting my time in the garage,(ie not in the house).
I don't think you're an idiot under those circumstances. Especially, if you payed very little for it to begin with. I was in a similar situation with my 750 restoration. Mine ran fine. But needed nearly every part restored or replaced with the exception of the seat and rear rim. Just understand that if you want a top notch restoration you're gonna pay close to a top notch price to do it. I'll have very close to $6500 into mine once complete. Including the price I payed for it originally. New pistons, seals, bearings and a set of Higgspeeds. Which none of those weren't immediately needed as the bike only has 7,800 original miles. I don't consider that to be too much money knowing what I wanted and I didn't take any crappy short cuts. I could have settled in the middle with a lot of things and elected to run my original exhaust as they are in very good condition and done it for around 4k. Or I could have done nothing and ran it as is and had a total of $1100 invested. Not including new tires.
$6500 for a completely restored GT with only those miles on her I paid that for my purchase price before I started to do anything - and mine has 40K on the clock. Down here we dream of a deal like that
Burt Munro + John Britten + Kim Newcombe + Ivan Mauger = Kiwi Street Cred
MikeH1A wrote:$6500 for a completely restored GT with only those miles on her I paid that for my purchase price before I started to do anything - and mine has 40K on the clock. Down here we dream of a deal like that
I could have paid close to a couple grand more. I was able to restore most parts on my own and was patient with my selection of many parts I wanted to replace. As a result I got a great deal on many of those parts. I believe half of the reason why these parts are so expensive is too many people are are willing to pay the first price available. I bought a set of flawless Higgspeeds with 100 miles on them for 600 bucks, a very nice front fender for $70, very nice rear fender for $40 and a flawless front rim for $15 ( shipping included, lol ! ) for example. Of course, I got shafted on the price for a few parts that I had little control over as well. My largest expense was my paint job. $1100 for paint, labor, emblems and decals just for the tank and side covers. Totally shafted there.
