Euro GT550 Plated Cylinders: What Rings

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Vintageman
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Euro GT550 Plated Cylinders: What Rings

Post by Vintageman »

Europe got later GT550 cylinder that were plated/extra transfer ports. Will OEM rings designed for non plated cast cylinders as USA got work? What was the plating material used by Suz ? Chrome? Nickel? I forget. I am thinking if I found a set I will most likely have to replate. Have other done this, What rings did they use?

Thanks
Current Bikes
74 GT250 (T350 upgrade),
76 GT250 (T350 upgrade),
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74 GT380,
75 T500,
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77 Yamaha RD400 (Daytona Cyls),
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Alan H
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Re: Euro GT550 Plated Cylinders: What Rings

Post by Alan H »

https://www.oldjapanesebikes.com/mraxl_ ... s/page-A50
Some info here - but in German!
And here in English - https://www.oldjapanesebikes.com/mraxl_ ... les/page-9

As I understand, the plated barrels had softer (non chrome) rings, and the non plated barrels has chrome rings. It was done like that for wear benefits.
There's a company in the UK who had a load of pistons made for all types of 550 engines and did a rebore on my J engine. Their rings are a type of composite that they assure me are ok in both types of motor - https://imdpistons.com/products/suzuki- ... ton-kits-3.
I spoke to them at length before they actually ordered their piston kits from Japan as there are several types of oem pistons/rings/gudgeon pins in my 'stash' which I sent to them for examination.

Lots of other info if you do a search for 'suzuki gt550 scem coating' and it's possible to go iron with a new liner here, at PJME - https://www.pjme.co.uk/acatalog/Cylinde ... eving.html . I bought an almost new set of these and fitted them to a mate's 550 and it performed well with low end characteristics of the nikasil plated engine.
My A (Earwig) has plated barrels and a ported/skimmed head engine and is reliable & very quick.
Think of how stupid the average person is, then realise that half of them are more stupid than that.
Vintageman
Expert racer
Posts: 1483
Joined: Tue May 18, 2010 5:38 pm
Country: USA
Suzuki 2-Strokes: Suz, Yam, Honda, Kaw.
Location: New Hampshire

Re: Euro GT550 Plated Cylinders: What Rings

Post by Vintageman »

Alan H.

Good information. Thank you and Cheers
Current Bikes
74 GT250 (T350 upgrade),
76 GT250 (T350 upgrade),
71 T350,
70 T350,
74 GT380,
75 T500,
73 GT550,
75 GT750,
72 Yamaha DS7 (R5 upgrade),
77 Yamaha RD400 (Daytona Cyls),
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