1981 Suzuki 550 Katana

[Tofu]

I have a gs550M Katana that could do with a freshen up, new cam chain and seals etc.

I have asked a couple of bike shops for estimates and most suggest I throw it on the junk pile and buy something new.

Whats your guys views on this? It is a runner and gets wofs fine, just needs a good tidy up really... Should i throw it on the pile or is there hope for the old baby Kat?

<a href="http://s1217.photobucket.com/user/brendan_tech/media/IMG_20171204_152402%201_zpsd15sojjn.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd384/brendan_tech/IMG_20171204_152402%201_zpsd15sojjn.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_20171204_152402 1_zpsd15sojjn.jpg"/></a>

[AllanB]

WTF? Sounds like you are going to some dickhead shops.

Your call if you want to keep your old ride running and if you have asked for a estimate that's what they should supply.

After that it is your decision if it is worth the cost and what you do as a result.

A cam chain change in one of them should be able to be done by any motorcycle mechanic with one eye closed. They are basic engines.

[Grumph]

Possibly doesn't need a camchain - the art of adjusting GS Suzuki chains has apparently been lost.
The tensioners are only semi automatic and are known to stick.

Probably just needs a good look over and reshim. If it's not smoking, it's not broken.

[Honest Andy]

I had a gs for a while, I liked it, although the previous owner was a cock.
It had a rattly chain and also a leaky base gasket so I decided to investigate both problems at the same time. When I slipped the base off I saw there was no gasket at all just silicone blocking up the oilways :facepalm:
I put a gasket in and like magic I didn't need to replace the camchain for another 6 months :niceone:

[Akzle]

nah it's fucked. i'll take it off your hands for five bucks and a bag of chips.

[Tofu]

Thanks for the input guys, I have considered doing the work myself but i'm not a pro :D

I think I will keep it an put the $$ into it as i think i'll keep it forever even when I do eventually upgrade. After all I did get it from another KB user for $200 so it hasn't cos me much yet :D


nah it's fucked. i'll take it off your hands for five bucks and a bag of chips.

Hahaha at times I would have been tempted in this offer!

[Tofu]

I had a gs for a while, I liked it, although the previous owner was a cock.
It had a rattly chain and also a leaky base gasket so I decided to investigate both problems at the same time. When I slipped the base off I saw there was no gasket at all just silicone blocking up the oilways :facepalm:
I put a gasket in and like magic I didn't need to replace the camchain for another 6 months :niceone:

This one has been tinkered with so much after one oil change the sump plug is stripped or something.. Must of had lock tight holding it together.

[T.W.R]

This one has been tinkered with so much after one oil change the sump plug is stripped or something.. Must of had lock tight holding it together.

Helicoil the sod :yes: sump bungs, spark plugs & a few other bits on bikes ham fisted harrys always over tighten the poor dam things.

[Grumph]

This one has been tinkered with so much after one oil change the sump plug is stripped or something.. Must of had lock tight holding it together.

Ha - normal. Got a GS1000 engine here going together which had a pipe thread bung in the sump. Parallel thread and no shoulder to seat against...
Found a swish pipe bung with a shoulder and integral O ring - better than OE. And shiny....

[Tofu]

This is the state i got it in a couple years back.

335622

[Katman]

My one.

335630

[Tofu]

My one.

335630

Wow that is SUPER nice!

ebay is my friend at the moment trying to find parts for it!

[Tofu]

Since posting this thread Ive done a bit to the bike.

I have stripped it down to the frame and had it powder coated, purchased Hagon shocks for it, numerous new bushings, gaskets and bearings.

Ive checked the tolerance for the cam chain and its in spec but shims are to be replaced.

Im keeping the air box etc all factory but just trying to decide if I should go with a cycleworks 4 into 1 or not.

[AllanB]

Im keeping the air box etc all factory but just trying to decide if I should go with a cycleworks 4 into 1 or not.

Are the original headers OK? If so get some black megaphones off Ebay for each side. They growl nicely with rowdy twin pipes. Or howl nicely with the 4-1. Your choice :woohoo:

[SaferRides]

Im keeping the air box etc all factory but just trying to decide if I should go with a cycleworks 4 into 1 or not.
A 4-1 sounded epic on my GS550E. Not sure what the neighbours thought as I wound it out in 2nd though...

[fridayflash]

cool wee bike, i had one years ago. cycleworks 4 n 1 is a great pipe for these.. the slash cut one (with drilled baffle tip) they sound fantastic but not offensive

[Murray]

Nah keep the twin pipes as original (this isnt but I still reckons looks better) How are yah Flash!


340261340260

[Tofu]

I had a CW slash cut on a 650E I had that sounded awesome.

I may keep the ones on it at the moment. I think the headers are original, not mint but they're solid and may invest in a 4 - 1 when I find someone in welly with a 550 willing to take it to Damon at cycleworks to use asa jig haha.

Im contemplating doing a 650 head swap as well so may as well just wait for the time being.

Ive got to get a couple shims then it should be back together in no time.

[Murray]

I had a CW slash cut on a 650E I had that sounded awesome.

I may keep the ones on it at the moment. I think the headers are original, not mint but they're solid and may invest in a 4 - 1 when I find someone in welly with a 550 willing to take it to Damon at cycleworks to use asa jig haha.

Im contemplating doing a 650 head swap as well so may as well just wait for the time being.

Ive got to get a couple shims then it should be back together in no time.

Where in Northland are you.

[AllanB]

What is the benefit of the 650 head on the 550?

[Katman]

What is the benefit of the 650 head on the 550?

You can swap the whole top end off a 650 and have the reliability of the roller bearing 550 bottom end.

[fridayflash]

Gidday Murray..going well thanks mate. bloody hot here but!
are you well?


p.s budgie rules!

[Tofu]

Where in Northland are you.

I was in Whangarei, I'm in otago now..

The top end swap seems to be a good option for a bit more power. At the same time it would be nice just to ride this and get a bigger bike later on. There's two 1100 Kats on tm at the moment.

[F5 Dave]

Since posting this thread Ive done a bit to the bike.

I have stripped it down to the frame and had it powder coated, purchased Hagon shocks for it, numerous new bushings, gaskets and bearings.

Ive checked the tolerance for the cam chain and its in spec but shims are to be replaced.

Im keeping the air box etc all factory but . . ..
Lordy. Probably the most intelligent thing I've read for a while.

It will never be a rocket but with change of fork oil and good steering bearings and shocks plus no silly intake mods will be quite capable for rooting around on having fun.

I'd by precaution buy a charging warning LED

https://www.ebay.com/itm/LED-Motorcycle-Battery-Alternator-Charge-monitor-level-indicator-warning-bike-G/200826330214?hash=item2ec22e9c66:g:QWIAAOxyY9VRO

Like this as Rectifier Regulators aren't strongest point.
Keep oil level ok and std bulbs gives the starter best chance. Also ditch a battery that is slightly dodgy.

[Tofu]

I just brought another dirty old Kat.. @katman will cringe at this colour :laugh:

[Grumph]

I was in Whangarei, I'm in otago now..

The top end swap seems to be a good option for a bit more power. At the same time it would be nice just to ride this and get a bigger bike later on. There's two 1100 Kats on tm at the moment.

I have a 650 barrel and pistons here. Good condition, good rings and pins. I broke an incmplete 650 engine a while back and kept these for just this swap.
The 650 head is no better than the 550 IMO. Cams are not different enough to make a performance difference either.
$200 buys - plus freight or can be collected inland Canterbury.

[F5 Dave]

I read about this in my Clymer manual with wistful contemplation. Actually when I blew a piston and had to buy 4 more and a rebore this would have been a better bet. At 18 it financially ruined me.

30 mumble years ago I don't think I'd have found a $200 650 top end.