1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Retro, Wild, Cafe, etc. The stuff only your imagination can come up with.

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jabcb
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Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Post by jabcb »

I had offered the pipes at a hard to beat price: shipping cost + $1. Got no serious interest other than the garbage man, who hauled them away some time ago.

Also offered the fugly fairing & got no interest. Had it stored in a friend’s garage. He moved & its now gone but I don’t know what he did with it. Might have ended up being used for target practice.
BAS (Bike Acquisition Syndrome) - too many bikes but have room for more

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GT750 2x75
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GT380 72
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Honda 85 CB650SC & 86 CB700SC
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cobraace
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Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Post by cobraace »

jabcb wrote:I had offered the pipes at a hard to beat price: shipping cost + $1. Got no serious interest other than the garbage man, who hauled them away some time ago.

Also offered the fugly fairing & got no interest. Had it stored in a friend’s garage. He moved & its now gone but I don’t know what he did with it. Might have ended up being used for target practice.
Sorry I miss it :(
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jabcb
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Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Post by jabcb »

Project nearing completion.

From scratch wiring just about done. Using new rectifier & regulator from Oregon Motorcycle Parts, CustomLED LED flasher & GS-series starter relay. Using relay to connect regulator directly to the battery.
Imagecafe-GT550-1352 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
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jabcb
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Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Post by jabcb »

Wiring done. Just a few little tasks left.
Imagecafe-GT550-1369 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
Zunspec4
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Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Post by Zunspec4 »

Wow, that's looking super sweet, jabcb 8) 8) 8) :up:

Cheers Geoff
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Evans Ward
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Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Post by Evans Ward »

What a beauty! :clap: Can’t wait to see the completed project!
1976 Suzuki GT750 (Maui Blue), 1972 Kawasaki H2 750 Mach IV (Candytone Blue), 1984 Yamaha RZ350 (KRR- Yellow/ Black).
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Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Post by joolstacho »

Super-tidy mate, well done. :clap:
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jabcb
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Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Post by jabcb »

Using angled tapered K&N filters. Outer filters need to be rotated to clear early side covers. But then the right filter contacts the oil pump cover — problem easily solved by removing part of the cover.
Imagecafe-GT550-1449 by jabcb, on Flickr

Am now done except for the mirrors and Higgspeed exhaust.
Imagecafe-GT550-1450 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
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jabcb
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Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Post by jabcb »

Higgspeed exhaust is here.

Turns out that there is a small difference between early & late frames. Not as big as was with the GT380 build. Practice makes perfect.

Looks like designing a side stand that doesn’t mess with cornering clearance is going to be more of a challenge that on the GT380.
Trial adapter for the left exhaust:
Imagecafe-GT550-1506 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
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Alan H
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Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Post by Alan H »

Very nice. I do love the Gold GT550 J.
Think of how stupid the average person is, then realise that half of them are more stupid than that.
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jabcb
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Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Post by jabcb »

Matches nicely with gold 71 T350.
ImageT350-1971_0696 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
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jabcb
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Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Post by jabcb »

Might have the side stand figured out. Using a GS750 stand bracket, a TS90 stand & a thick spacer. The tab for operating the stand will be a bit tricky to design & make.

Imagecafe-GT550-1616 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
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jabcb
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Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Post by jabcb »

Nice spring weather so I’m working to finish up the GT550 build.
Higgspeeds are mounted. Sidestand figured out — just need to figure out the tab.

First startup video:
Imagecafe-GT550-1806 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
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Alan H
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Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Post by Alan H »

Drill out the two threads on the stand bracket and put some larger nuts & bolts through instead.
It was a 'dodge' back with the early 550s as the sidestand tended to come loose as it only had 2 bolts through the bracket. All the following brackets (K to B) had 3 bolts and a heavier bracket and mount for the stand.
I did it with my 1st 550J almost as soon as I bought it in 1972 and also the J I've just finished.

Yours looks really well.
Think of how stupid the average person is, then realise that half of them are more stupid than that.
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jabcb
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Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Post by jabcb »

I’m using longer bolts that provide for an additional nut. Plus Locktite on that additional nut.
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
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