I'm here to document my custom GT550 build. I've been lurking on Sundial for a year or so now, all the while collecting parts, wrenching, and restoring my GT stuff.
My build started with a $400 1974 GT550 that I paid about $440 too much for. I've restored and customized a few other bikes, but never anything as old as the GT or a two stroke. The engine was shot. It had been outside for years and unfortunately stored without a spark plug in the left cylinder, so the engine was full of water.
However, a few months later I bought an ebay engine and a few months after that a very nice restorable GT550 came along for $200 from a friend that owns a Suzuki dealership.
My build started as wanting to do a Blue Smoke Devil build or a Honduki build. Buuuut, after starting the build, fixing the 2008 GSXR forks and SV650 swing arm to the GT frame I didn't like how the build was turning out. For one the longer wheel base really rubbed me the wrong way. All of my bikes come out as daily riders that I can commute on then go out and have a fun weekend ride as well. The stretched swingarms really rub me the wrong way, just not my application. Also, the smaller diameter wheels would've added more stress to the frame. While people who've done this same build report no problems with the handling, I suspect bias towards their build and maybe not absolute truthfulness.
So, after needing a new direction, I came across a few H2 builds. One being Qwikasfaki by a fellow named Cabbie, the other being an H2 build in a 1990ish GSXR750 frame from an outfit in California build.
So, I said to myself, I can build one of those! With a little time and some extra hours in class (I'm a machining student) I can build a 1989 GSX-R110 frame to fit the GT550 engine.
Upon trying to fit my GT engine into the GSX-R frame, I found it doesn't fit! The H2 engine is a bit smaller, dimensionally, of course. I'm going to cut the GSXR frame's front engine cradles and machine pieces that will fit inside the aluminum box section to change the dimensions of the space where the engine sits. I'll need to curve them in to pass the expansion chambers and forward about an inch to clear the crank cases.
A bit about me, I'm 24, living in Bellingham, WA. I studied math for awhile, engineering and now I'm studying precision machining. One of my career 'dreams' is to start building modern 2 stroke street bikes. Since we're so limited here in the states, I'll just go around the EPA by retrofitting engines to frames. Anyway, more to come!
Here are some pictures.
1974 GT550- $440
1976 GT550- $200
Quikasfaki and other inspiration
Here's my custom home built budget built GS450 cafe racer
