1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

[jabcb]

Frame candy.
cafe-GT550-0741 by jabcb, on Flickr

[Alan H]

No steering lock going to be fitted? There isn't a slot in the lockstop on the headstock.
There wasn't one on mine either, but I put one on, off a (Shhhh! 1976 frame)

Let's see who get's it done first - viewtopic.php?f=2&t=12751" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;




But for once, mine will 'appear' fairly standard.
Not like the 'Earwig!' Clicky Linky

[jabcb]

You are way ahead of me. The gas tank is in the shop getting repaired and I haven’t even ordered the spokes yet.
Plus we are also working on the T500 cafe build.

We will do the T500 motor first. The Covers are at the polisher. Got the top end back from the shop & are waiting on the crank.
Will turn the GT550 into a rolling frame while I wait for the T500 title from the state.

Do you have a description of exactly where the tank white stripes go?
I got the Reproduction Decal set — they look nice but don’t say exactly where to place them.

My steering lockstop had been cut off by some PO. What you see in the pic was welded on.
The tank was also dented by some PO so you could make really sharp turns. The tank looks good inside, so I’m having the shop pull the dents out.

Are those stock rims?
I’ve decided on Excel dimpled rims in 2.15x18 & 2.5x18.

[Alan H]

http://www.suzukicycles.org/All-Suzuki/ ... odels.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Details of all Suzy models - just pick year and model etc.
Regards the stripes, put them where YOU like, it's YOUR bike.
So long as they look right, they are right.

Is a pic of my original GT550 on the 26th August 1972 on the day I bought it brand new, so that's where they should be!

Rims are standard size, but Stainless, as are the spokes. Hubs just polished.

More pics here - http://www.kettleclinic.co.uk/kcforum/v ... 5&start=50" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[jabcb]

The plan is to make the GT550 look like the GT380, except the GT550 will have a 3-into-1 exhaust.
And to make the T500 look like the GT250, except the T500 won’t have clubman bars or rearsets.
Pic of the other two bikes:
SCMR_2017-2_0680 by jabcb, on Flickr

[jabcb]

...
Rims are standard size, but Stainless, as are the spokes. Hubs just polished.
...

Spokes will be SS from Buchanan’s.
We are doing a super spiffy job polishing + clear coating the brake drums, fork outer tubes & motor covers, but that is because we are cheating & having forum member Sandman do the work.

[Alan H]

And very nice too. Looking forward to seing the done deals.

[jabcb]

Was chipper about the T500 crank but then …

Tranny not bad.
cafe-GT550-534547650 by jabcb, on Flickr
cafe-GT550-534547844 by jabcb, on Flickr

And quadruple double rats - little bits on metal in the motor bottom end!
cafe-GT550-534548146 by jabcb, on Flickr

[jabcb]

Any thoughts on the reason for those little metal bits & what damage likely was done?

[GTandcbr]

I had similar damage when piston seized in the bore conrod tore it in two and all the fragments dropped into the crankcase punctured the seals. High rev seizure i think damage was crank still rotating dragging in fragments of piston.

[sportston]

Could be from past seizure like already mentioned, but... Of the 6 webs one of them is clean and shiny, why?
It is hard to tell from looking at only a couple of pictures, but could it have been rubbing against something?
I would suggest getting the crank stripped and investigated to assess how much damage has been done. Not what you want to hear, I am sure, but it is a wise course of action.

[dollydog]

looking at the pictures i'd hazard a guess that number 2 crank web is rubbing on something
are the fragments magnetic? test with a magnetic screwdriver. ali bits usually cause less damage than iron.
oilways are definitely going to need flushing out.
cheers, dd.

[jabcb]

I haven’t seen the parts in person yet. The T500 motor is at my house & the GT550 motor is at my friend/mechanic’s house.
I agree, the shinny #2 web looks like it might have been rubbing on something.
I asked him to do the magnetic screwdriver test.

I was already planning on rebuilding the crank with new seals. Already have all of the crank bearings. Hopefully the crank itself is OK.
GTandcbr, how much did you have to replace?

The piston in my earlier pic doesn’t look like it has seen much service. Perhaps some PO went with pod filters & chambers but did not rejet the carbs, and then holed a piston.

[GTandcbr]

I didn't do the work but the crank was pulled apart, new seals and crank pins a balance and it was good to go.

[jabcb]

You needed crank pins but the rods were OK?