Topic: Suzuki GT550 Triple

[Magilla]

Anyone out here know much about these bikes?  I am thinking about buying one but dont knwo squat about them.

[Roach Carver]

I want to say the frames are not the stiffest but I am far from an expert. I chuckled when I saw your two posts this a.m. Just a few months ago people were having to talk you off the cliff with your old cb. Now your in the market for two new old bikes?. Personally my pick would be the triple.

[oldbob]

I bought a new one in 1973. I mention this only because the bike had a twelve-month warranty.

It got traded 11 months later because I couldn't keep it running on all three cylinders. The dealer from which I bought it, wasn't helpful. Within the past year I read that the problem was almost certainly in the spark plug caps. The caps pass through the "ram air" shroud, and when cracked, allow the electricity destined for the plug to short to the shroud. Suzuki eventually redesigned the plug caps.

I suspect that the caps were splashed with water coming off of the front tire, causing them to crack. Other than avoiding rain, I don't think that I could have kept them dry. But I probably could have found some soft caps that wouldn't crack.

Other than that, it was a good bike. In those 11 months, I put 20,000 miles on it.

Bob

[Magilla]

I plan to buy both.  Also aside from my CB I also have a 80 Kawasaki KZ550 and a 64 Honda C95 Benly.  In the sping I hope to add a Norton or a BSA to my garage.

[azuredesign]

I had a mid 70s gt380, and loved it. It never never let me down, and I rode it all year round in western MA, through snow, mud and gravel. It was strong enough to take me from Amherst to Provincetown weekly, and I put alot of miles on it. I wish I had one now. I remember the 550 was a 5 speed compared to the 6 that the 380 had. I dont know if there was a significant difference in power between the two, perhaps 10or 12 hp, and the 550 weighed almost 100lbs more.

[Stev-o]

I would love to have a GT550, I've had a couple other model Suzis and there were great.
Never heard of the cap issue.
I think Eckpent has one (?)

[Retro Rocket]

Yeah, i would like one too, not the best handling bike but at normal road speeds they are just fine, its only when pushed hard you'll notice they have some flex. Pretty torquey for a 2 stroke and fun to ride...

[ekpent]

I grew up when two strokes were the dominate road bikes around,Dad and everybody else had one so have a soft spot for them.Started buying them up whenever they showed up a few years ago before there gone.Got a couple of the 550's,a 380 and a Water Buf  some Kwakers and a few other now.  Have read that the GT550 was the reason Honda bumped the 500 up to a 550.If the price is right give it a try,they are different to ride.If its not a runner now a quickie compression test may be a good idea to make sure a piston isn't holed. One quirk on their carbs is that the old original rubber boot tops eventually melt and turn into the stickiest goo you have ever seen.Lacquer thinner is about the only thing that will cut it if you have that situation.Other than that good luck getting the bowl off the bottom of the petcock without breaking it 
   I got a hoarder friend here in town that sounds like he is ready to sell some stuff.I am going over Sunday to see him.He has a K0 Honda 750, original paint 72 GT750, first year no disc GT550,a Suzuki RE5 Wankel and more.Better stuff my pockets with lots of cash    Sounds like a future thread in the making.   Eric

[Magilla]

The 550 runs but has a small oil leak.  Is dirty and ugly and needs lots of love but it does run.  Could be fun.

[raymond10078]

Must say - I've always loved the "ram air" look of those heads.  Never seen anything like it on any other bike.

[Syscrush]

Must say - I've always loved the "ram air" look of those heads.  Never seen anything like it on any other bike.

Agreed.