1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

jabcb · Post by **jabcb** » Tue Dec 03, 2019 6:46 pm

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.

cobraace · Post by **cobraace** » Tue Dec 03, 2019 9:48 pm

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

jabcb · Post by **jabcb** » Thu Jul 09, 2020 12:13 pm

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.

cafe-GT550-1352 by jabcb, on Flickr

jabcb · Post by **jabcb** » Sat Jul 25, 2020 2:33 pm

Wiring done. Just a few little tasks left.

cafe-GT550-1369 by jabcb, on Flickr

Zunspec4 · Post by **Zunspec4** » Sat Jul 25, 2020 4:33 pm

Wow, that's looking super sweet, jabcb

Cheers Geoff

Post by **Evans Ward** » Sat Jul 25, 2020 5:32 pm

What a beauty!

Can’t wait to see the completed project!

joolstacho · Post by **joolstacho** » Sat Jul 25, 2020 6:30 pm

Super-tidy mate, well done.

jabcb · Post by **jabcb** » Mon Sep 07, 2020 10:58 am

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.

cafe-GT550-1449 by jabcb, on Flickr

Am now done except for the mirrors and Higgspeed exhaust.

cafe-GT550-1450 by jabcb, on Flickr

jabcb · Post by **jabcb** » Tue Oct 13, 2020 2:04 pm

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:

cafe-GT550-1506 by jabcb, on Flickr

Post by **Alan H** » Tue Oct 13, 2020 4:30 pm

Very nice. I do love the Gold GT550 J.

jabcb · Post by **jabcb** » Thu Oct 15, 2020 6:34 am

Matches nicely with gold 71 T350.

T350-1971_0696 by jabcb, on Flickr

jabcb · Post by **jabcb** » Tue Jan 12, 2021 11:37 am

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.

cafe-GT550-1616 by jabcb, on Flickr

jabcb · Post by **jabcb** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 4:37 pm

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:

cafe-GT550-1806 by jabcb, on Flickr

Post by **Alan H** » Tue Apr 06, 2021 12:20 am

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.

jabcb · Post by **jabcb** » Tue Apr 06, 2021 4:02 am

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

1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic

Re: 1972 GT550 cafe build - new topic