Gt550 exhausts

[bigsteve550]

Its a simple question and I need to know

Will a full set of K original pipes fit the A model GT550

As I brought some for my A model.

If not why not and can they be made to fit



Also is this a genuine Suzuki colour used on the 550




Thanks in advance

[pearljam724]

Not a Suzuki Oem color used on any of the GT models. However, I like it a lot. Seems to be a Burnt Orange. Looks like someone didn't finish a restoration before you came along. That is the exact color I initially want to do my Gt 750 with. But, later decided on Candy Gold. Looks like you hit the jack pot with pipes, fenders, etc. All the pipes look to be in very good condition. You have everything on hand and it only takes 10 minutes to assure the pipes fit or not once you have the motor in the frame. Once that bike is put together. It's going to be one extremely nice GT 550. Please, be sure to post a few good pics on here once finished. I for one, would be looking forward to that.

[bigsteve550]

Hi

Yes I love the colour too, I think it was a 1975 colour on the GT380's in the UK but not sure about the GT550's

The Gt550 prices seem to on the rise here in the UK but it could be in line with the cost of the spares, a original rear fender / mudguard was about £90 2 years ago now its £190

Just brought a new Yuasa battery for £11 bargain and a new MPH speedo for £55 from Italy, and Suzuki UK have there bike of the month as a GT750 and have slashed about 50% off the price of loads of parts many of which fit the GT550 too, just brought a left hand switch unit for £64 instead of £120

A good restored GT550 is about £6000 now.

I have got this far



Will keep you updated.

[Alan H]

K pipes should fit, but as they have the joining pipes between the downpipes, they are 'wrong' for the A model.
That could upset the carburation as the A carbs are completely different to the K carbs, as are the barrels, porting and other important bits!
Personally, I don't care what pipes are on what model, but if the carburation is sufficiently out, then it can cause piston and other problems if you aren't careful.
Have a look HERE and see the differences.

Where are you in the UK Steve? I'm in South Yorkshire - if you're near, the kettle's always on......

You can pop in and compare my A and K then!!

[bigsteve550]

Hi Alan

Thanks for the offer of Tea but I am in Kent !

Yes making a collection of pipes, some good some bad, but the set of US sourced L pipes are VERY good.

Anyway the tank has 74 / 75 GT380 stripes on it, so it will not be A model in every respect.

see this about the GT550 exhausts from a tuning article

Exhaust

The stock exhaust pipes used on the GT-Triples are a compromise between cost, maximum power output, and noise limits. An unmuffled two-stroke engine is one of the loudest and most obnoxious noises known to man. Take care to properly silence exhaust noise. Significant power may be gained by installing a custom-built exhaust system known as expansion chambers.



Owners of pre-1974 GT750's could replace their exhaust pipes with the later stock exhaust. The later pipes eliminate the crossover tubes, allowing the engine to put out slightly more power in the midrange
You could also remove the crossover tubes and plug the holes in the pipes with automotive freeze plugs..


I think the link pipes were fitted to all US spec GT550 as far as I am aware till the end of production inc the A and B's with the newer carbs so I hope there will not be any problems running L pipes on my bike but I will do a plug chop to check, but that's a long way away.

But I wanted to know if they will actually fit as they look the same other than link pipe.

My original A pipes are rusted badly and are beyond repair see a picture how the bike looked when found in a leaky shed.

[pearljam724]

I'd like to disagree with disclaimer posted above. That " 2 stroke motors are loud and obnoxious without baffles. " Loud certainly. Obnoxious ? Definitely not from my opinion. I am easily provoked from a loud sounding exhaust on any kind of vehicle. But, a 2 stroke is an exception. Without baffles represents how a 2 should sound. These stock pipes are so freaking dense that having no baffles really doesn't make the exhaust too loud. Just more pronounced. Expansion chambers are a different story. As they are so thin walled not having baffles makes them sound as if two American muscle race cars from the 70's are idling at the starting line on a drag strip. Way too loud. I've also read on here that the pipes with cross over tubes produced more horsepower, not less. Like to know the truth about that one.

[Alan H]

Crossover pipes allow a bit more lower range power (as do 3-1 exhausts). More power at top end was down to revised porting. At the same time the crossover tubes were deleted, so maybe a bit less is more or something?
The 3-1 loses out at high revs due to scavenging issues and also it cant get rid of the exhaust as quick as 3-3.
Look at the pipe sizes bolted to the barrels and at the far end of the exhaust.
I can't be arsed to work out gas afflux (speed) at all the places but it stands to reason.

[GT750Battleship]

As far as noise goes & obnoxious....anything more than one Harley Davidson....NOW that's loud & definitely obnoxious...
No offence intended if you own one ! but the only way I know my GT750 is running when I'm anywhere near a Harley, is I can see my tachometer moving!!!

[yeadon_m]

Steve,

I am also in Kent and have just completed a GT550B. So holler if I can help in any way!

Nice project by the way, you have the biggest collection of GT550 pipes this side of Alan's shed

Cheers,
Mike

[Coyote]

I'm no expert, but I know from past posts that J-K pipes will not fit L-B. The earlier frames were different. The pipes can be made to work, but you will need to make adapter plates for the rear mounting. If I recall correctly the difference is about 1 1/2". So they can be made to work, but they are not a bolt on and go. On the slip side, L-B pipes cannot be modified to fit the J-K models. There is some sort of interference problems there, but I can't remember what.
To clarify, ALL US models GT550 had crossover tubes through all production years. Also if it ever comes up, the J-K fuel tanks are NOT interchangeable with the L-B models. This is from personal experience. Te early ones had a petcock much further forward than the later models with the ganged carbs. Been there, done that, don't work.
You have a very nice project going there. Keep us posted!

[Cliff]

Where can I get a set of those engine guards like in the picture??

[yeadon_m]

Cliff,

Luck, and ebay. I grabbed mine over a year ago against fierce competition. I'm not aware anyone is making them right now, unlike for the GT750.

The seller claimed that the ones I bought were 'original equipment'. I have no idea if indeed they were bars that Suzuki sold for the 550 (and of course someone would have made them for Suzuki) but they do fit, and I think look, well. Appearance was the main reason I got them. The bike looks 'chunkier' with them on, but each to his own choices. I don't think they'd be much use if I actually fell off, but in that event at my age I hardly think that would be among my first concerns - I don't bounce like I used to!

Cheers,
Mike

[bigsteve550]

Ok

Here my photo of my exhausts

My rusty A model pipes and my good set of what I now think are K model exhausts as the right hand one has no indent for the rear brake.

But they all seem to be the same length and shape





So will have to wait for the engine to be fitted to know for sure

I do have a set of the engine bars but they need work and rechroming

[bazit]

Hi
Any one out there know someone who has any 550 gt exhausts for sale (I need the right hand lower as it is completely shot)
Thanks
Barry

[Alan H]

I'v got some spare inners. PM me in a couple of weeks when I get home.
If you don't I'll have forgotten by then!
It's the position of the rear (black) mounting brackets that's different.