Opinions on GT550 Please

[MikeH1A]

I'm getting restless since the T500R project has finished. I'm trying to come up with a bike that's not too common around here and have hit on the idea of a GT550. There may be one available in another town (will cost a lot more than you guys would ever pay for one but that's just how it is down here ) but I don't really know much about them. So, I'm keen to hear any thoughts - the good, the bad and the ugly. Many thanks

[advant63]

i love mine. it is a bodgers special but that suits me fine. it runs at 70mph all day and doesn't have the complications (plastic gears, liquid cooling) of the others.
highly recommend suspension updates and twin discs

[jaybob]

The Gt550 was reviewed well in it's day and continues to be a solid all around good bike. It's not the best at everything but it is a good standard and it loooks good also.

Many here on the board have them. Nice stockers and nice customs as well.

I would get it, but then I am biased because I like mine alot.

[H2RICK]

Which model year are you looking at, Mike ???
I'm biased toward the later models....specifically the A and B models for reasons listed below.
All of them are nice all 'rounders and, as advant mentions, with sensible updates to suspension components they can be made to handle and stop a LOT better. They ARE a little on the porky side with the stock exhaust system in place. The later models have a dry weight of ~440 pounds (200kg) total with the earlier models at ~420 pounds.
The biggest potential problem is the starter clutch/main clutch setup in the earlier models. The J/K/L/M models had some problems with these bits so, starting with the A model production, Suzuki replaced the whole assembly with a much-upgraded setup. Read the service bulletin concerning all the changes here: http://www.3cyl.com/bulletins/gt26-1.jpg.
The original setup CAN give lengthy service IF it isn't abused with improper tranny lube/drag race starts and/or misuse of the electric start.
If the current owner says the starter "doesn't work", knock the price down substantially because you can pretty well be assured that you WILL have to track down one of those clutch changeover kits to make the starter work properly....and those kits are NOT cheap....IF you can find one. I believe that Ian (oldjapanesebikes) recently paid big bucks and installed the kit in his L model 550, IIRC. You can PM him for all the details.
Otherwise from that potential problem, the rest of the motor and the running gear is pretty much bulletproof. All the components on the bike are 'wayyyyy overbuilt. That's why the old girls are so heavy.
You WILL probably have to do the usual stuff: tapered headstock bearings, bronze swingarm bushings, fork seals, etc etc so you should factor those costs into the equation as well.....but you already knew that.....right???

[oldjapanesebikes]

It is a sweet ride - I now have about 130 miles on the rebuild and so far at least it is looking good.

[jkevinlilly]

It's a good bike, I have one I ride, a second I am gradually rebuilding, both are 1976. I took one completely apart and rebuilt it in my dining room two years ago without a problem. Used parts on ebay run a little higher for a 550 than the ones for a 750. There is a lot of good knowlege here on the board to tap into if you have specefic questions. If you need a repair manual pm me and I'll burn one to a disk and mail it to you.

Kevin

[MikeH1A]

Thanks so much for the ideas guys. I like the look of the bikes and thought it'd be nice to have something unique in the city (haven't seen on here for years).

Rick, your comments were very timely. The bike I have heard about is the early drum brake model. However, I have also heard that the starter doesn't work. Sooo .... it would seem that your words may be most helpful. The owner apparently wants good money for it even though that problem is present. I shall continue investigations and keep you all posted.

Thanks again, Mike