1981 Suzuki 550 Katana

**Tofu** · 27th February 2018, 21:08

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?

photo IMG_20171204_152402 1_zpsd15sojjn.jpg

**AllanB** · 27th February 2018, 21:33

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** · 28th February 2018, 06:03

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** · 28th February 2018, 09:42

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

I put a gasket in and like magic I didn't need to replace the camchain for another 6 months

**Akzle** · 28th February 2018, 11:45

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

**Tofu** · 28th February 2018, 21:44

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

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

Originally Posted by Akzle

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** · 28th February 2018, 21:46

Originally Posted by 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

I put a gasket in and like magic I didn't need to replace the camchain for another 6 months

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** · 28th February 2018, 22:06

Originally Posted by Tofu

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

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

**Grumph** · 1st March 2018, 06:33

Originally Posted by Tofu

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** · 8th March 2018, 18:25

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

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**Katman** · 9th March 2018, 07:44

My one.

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**Tofu** · 14th March 2018, 18:29

Originally Posted by Katman

My one.

Wow that is SUPER nice!

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

**Tofu** · 6th January 2019, 20:26

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** · 7th January 2019, 19:58

Originally Posted by Tofu

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