GT500 or GT550

[jmcgill89]

I have the opportunity to buy either a 1976 GT500 or a 1974 GT550. The prices aren't all that much different on the two bikes, one (the GT500) is about $150 less than the other but it has a tattered seat and more pitting on the chrome. Both bikes have fogged up lenses on the gauges, but the GT550 has had a more recent "renovation" at least cosmetically. I used to have a GT185 twin, and I liked the bike, but it vibrated very badly at speed. I don't know if the triples remedied this at all, but I thought I'd ask.

Question is, which of these two bikes is better suited for a "running" restoration and use as a semi regular driver around town and commutes of less than 20 miles (less than 60 mph)? Is there a major difference in the collectability of the bikes, is one more valuable when restored?

Similarly, which would be an easier motor to work on and get the carburetors tuned up, etc?

Thanks for any and all advice!

Joe

[Suzsmokeyallan]

I'd go for the 550 over the 500, its a smoother bike and has electric start. The 500 is a bit simpler to work on being it has two cylinders and two carbs but once you have both of them dialed in you wont be working much on the engines after that anyways.
At present market value a 74 550 will be worth more than a 76 GT500 if both are up for sale and in similar condition, something you already know to the tune of that $150.00.you will have to shell out.
I vote for the 550 but others will have their own opinions on this.

[wvc]

From what i've seen, the GT550 is a little more desirable, probably because they were made for a longer period of time, so more people have owned them. The GT500 was only made 2 years, and seems to be viewed by the T500 guys as the red headed step child. But it all comes down to personal preference. If you're keeping it for yourself, get the one you'll enjoy more.

[jmcgill89]

Thanks, Guys!

I most likely will go for the 550, as it's in more readily ridable condition, and based on what I've heard, is a more desirable bike.

I'll have to take some time to work out the stalling problem it has, and make sure it doesn't have bad crank seals. That being said, it's been regularly run for years, so hopefully the seals won't be shot.

[Suzsmokeyallan]

Actually, the GT500 is the same bike as the Cobra from way back in 1968. All they did over the years was to hang different parts on it from time to time for a visual update. The same basic frame and engine carried on from 1968 to 1977 with alterations along the way as were deemed necessary.
The GT500s of 76 and 77 were a last ditch effort to garner up some sales by modernizing the bikes looks.
They are great bikes and reasonably fast even in stock form but they are crude and rough around the edges compared to the more refined GT550.
Its no secret Suzuki detuned the T500s in their later years to boost 550 sales, after all how could the 'old' 500 twin go faster than a 'new' 550 triple.

If you are going into the 550s carbs make sure the gaiter/boots are good on the top linkages,a lot of issues are related to ripped or damaged boots.

[jmcgill89]

Are those carburetor boots on the GT550 a difficult part to source/replace?

Guy says that the GT550 "smoked quite a bit" when he first bought it, but the smoke has since leveled out and its not worse from one side or another....Last thing I want to do is buy one that has bad crank seals.

The GT500 has been off the road for years, but still starts up. It needs a new seat like today. However, GT500 seats aren't as easy to source as GT550 seats, or even the old T500 seats.

[Coyote]

The boots are still available from Suzuki but are quite pricey. The linkage boots are about $25 each and the bellows boot on the carb tops go about $20 each. The carb bellows boot is more important than the linkage boot as it is essentially a seal. The linkage boot is a dust boot to keep dirt and grit from eating at the pivoting parts.. Sometimes Paul Miller will sell these as sets and you can do a little better on the price.
I can't speak for rhe 500 but the 550 should have barely discernible smoke once the bike has warmed up - that is if the proper injection oil is being used. The stalling problem is most likely a dirty filter on the petcock or the pilot jets are clogged.

[jmcgill89]

Either bike is going to be a long-term restorer-rider for me, so I'll take my time getting parts.

Is the ride quality on the GT500 THAT much worse in sub 60 mph riding? I'm just trying to get an idea of how each of them would handle....

[rbond]

I have a GT500. I found out later that the T/GT500 is nicknamed 'old shakey'. It does vibrate more than I would like, on mine up to 44mph it is smooth, above that the vibes get very noticeable. As crazy as it sounds, I have not had too much opportunity to really run it faster for very long so I do not know how it will do. I read one account saying his T500 ran very smoothly all day at 70mph on a trip in Austrailia. I use mine as a daily driver to work, errands around town, etc. Does me well, gets about 43mpg in town. Parts for both will be both easy to get and nearly impossible to find, depends on what you are looking for. For the two bike that is about even. I too recommend the GT550 simply because it will be more comfortable in the long run. You have a longer, faster, daily run than I do, so the 550 will be more suitable in my opinion. Each 500 seems to have a different 'sweet spot' where it runs smoothly at, you might do better than mine, maybe worse. You would have to ride for a while to discover it's quirks.

[wvc]

As far as the ripped seat, the GT550 and GT500 use the same seat cover. The seat pans are different, but the cover is the same. Several companies make OEM style reproduction covers. Reproductiondecals has them, and theres a company from the UK that sells them on ebay.

[oldjapanesebikes]

As far as the ripped seat, the GT550 and GT500 use the same seat cover. The seat pans are different, but the cover is the same. Several companies make OEM style reproduction covers. Reproductiondecals has them, and theres a company from the UK that sells them on ebay.

I would have said that they are close, but they are actually a bit different as the GT500 doesn't have the cut-out in the fabric, along with the additional seaming for the seat latch. I had Pit Replica make me a GT500 specific cover without the cut-out and additional seaming and while I haven't installed it as yet, it does look like it should fit OK. Initially he did send me the cover for a GT380/GT550 as the general pan dimensions are the same as the GT500, but I didn't like how it was going to fit which is why I sent him my old cover to copy. If you do order from him best to be very specific about what you want - I found him very easy to deal with.

You can see what I'm referring to in the photo below. The old GT500 is sitting on a GT550 seat.

[jmcgill89]

That is GREAT info. Thanks for that picture...it helps A LOT. I haven't seen many of the larger displacement 2-strokes up close, so any visual info really is great.

[wvc]

Thats good to know. Hadn't thought about the key hole area. I had planned on buying a cover for my project from the UK guy, but he sells the same cover for the GT550 and GT500. Does the Pit Replica cover look like the original? I wonder if the ones he's selling on ebay have been updated now to remove the key hole area?

[wvc]

This is the seat cover I was looking to buy. They list the same cover for the GT380, GT500, and GT550.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... _730wt_905" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[oldjapanesebikes]

I would just suggest you give the fellow a call and get some clarification on it - as they are all custom made, they should be able to do one without the seat lock cut-out for you, if you want to order from that vendor. Obviously its your call !