I have restored and then sold 3 GT750s with some great help on this forum. I kept one of them as my personal rider for a year before selling it. In its defence, I put a 3 into 1 pipe on it and over jetted it so power was down which made me dissatisfied. I have been a Kawasaki triples rider for years but am sick of my neighbours complaining about the noise from my chambers. Plus, I am getting older and sometimes I complain about the noise from my chambers.
Anyway, in an attempt to be more mature I have bought a 1974 GT550. It only has 9400 miles on it and is cosmetically quite nice and has a stock exhaust. This will be my part time rider My main ride is a Z900RS Kawasaki. The Suzi needs a general going over and a carb cleaning and it seems that the bike was properly stored for a number of years and there is oil in the cylinders so that must be drained. I will inspect the cylinders but think they will be fine as the mileage is low. Maybe a hone and new rings. Not too sure whether to replace the pistons or not while I'm in there.
Should I go for new pistons, and since wiseco and Wossner don't make them for 550s. what is the best piston ? I am not going the Cruzin Image way. Are IMD a decent alternative?
Thanks Dave
I used 1st over Wiseco in my GT550 cafe build a few years ago. Am not 100% sure where I bought them.
Wiseco doesn’t list them as available. But I think Paul Miller had a batch made & he may still have some.
BAS (Bike Acquisition Syndrome) - too many bikes but have room for more
I've got IMD pistons (and a rebore by them on all 3, on the 550J) in 2 of my 550s and running well after about 4 years. Nice people there & very helpful. Their current piston sets are about £160.00.
Think of how stupid the average person is, then realise that half of them are more stupid than that.
These are what I got. They were the only supplier I could find with + 1 mm pistons that were not Chinese. If only I could get the gaskets , I could put this one back on the road. RJ shipped them with a tracking number but Canada Post do not use that number. I think because it was shipped 4th class. So now it is hurry up and wait....
I went with their rods so the base gaskets are 1.5 mm thick to accomodate the 1 mm longer rods.
Going to see this Gt750A end of next week. Cosmetically it looks good but it is seized. If I can get it for a decent price, I will take the chance. I would rather do mechanical work than body work and, painting is very expensive.
