early GT550 ram air cover “tar” insulation removal question

For those wanting to keep their bike the way the factory made them.

Moderators: oldjapanesebikes, H2RICK, diamondj, Suzsmokeyallan

Post Reply
User avatar
jabcb
Moto GP
Posts: 4240
Joined: Mon Dec 13, 2010 4:32 pm
Country: USA
Suzuki 2-Strokes: 69 T350 thru 75 GT750
Location: southwestern Pennsylvania

early GT550 ram air cover “tar” insulation removal question

Post by jabcb »

This is for the ’72 GT550 cafe project.
The ram air covers has some sort of black “tar” insulation on the underside. At first I thought that some PO did this. But I checked the covers on eBay — early covers have this “tar” and later covers don’t.

I plan on polishing & clear coating the covers. Need to remove this “tar”. Any suggestions on how to do this?

ImageGT550-ram-air-0777 by jabcb, on Flickr
BAS (Bike Acquisition Syndrome) - too many bikes but have room for more

Suzuki:
GT750 2x75
GT550 72 & 75
GT380 72
T500 69 project & 73 project
T350 69 & 71
Honda 85 CB650SC & 86 CB700SC
09 Triumph Bonneville SE
GTandcbr
Yeah Man, the Interstate
Posts: 590
Joined: Tue Mar 10, 2015 12:35 pm
Country: WALES
Suzuki 2-Strokes: suzuki gt 550j
Location: Wales

Re: early GT550 ram air cover “tar” insulation removal quest

Post by GTandcbr »

Yes i have the same on my 550J . i think its an attempt at sound insulation, years ago people would paint underseal on the inside of the car bonnet (hood) for the same reason. I would start with a wire brush to penetrate the coating then maybe some kind of solvent or paint stripper.
98 carb Blackbird and GT550j
User avatar
ConnerVT
Novice racer
Posts: 963
Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2012 8:01 pm
Country: USA
Suzuki 2-Strokes: T500R (now), T500M (40 yrs ago)
Location: North of Albany, NY

Re: early GT550 ram air cover “tar” insulation removal quest

Post by ConnerVT »

Before that, maybe heat gun and scraper?
old racer
To the on ramp
Posts: 240
Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2012 1:22 pm
Country: Wales
Suzuki 2-Strokes: RG250 GT750L GT750 DRAG seelyt500 tr500MK3
Location: Wales UK

Re: early GT550 ram air cover “tar” insulation removal quest

Post by old racer »

Put it in a bath of petrol gas.
Let it soak a while.
Post Reply