Topic: Any Suzuki GS guys here? (GS550)

[Scott S]

 I recently picked up a 1980 GS550. I joined the GSResources forum and it's pretty cool, but not quite as active here and a little bit more focused on the larger bikes.

 The '80 seems to be something of a transition year. Many parts swap with the '77-79 models. I'm trying to cross reference parts and numbers, but a parts fiche doesn't always tell you if something will or won't work.

 For example:
 The '77-79 models used a head gasket and four separate sealing rings. The '80 shows a different part number and it looks like the sealing rings are now part of the head gasket. I see no reason why the earlier (and much easier to find) gasket and sealing rings wouldn't fit. But I'd like to be sure.

 Parts availability for the GS series is OK, but not quite as good as the Honda stuff. And exhaust options to the '77-79, '80 550 is basically used stock or MAC.

 They seem to be good bikes, though. It's handsome, the engine is supposed to be very sturdy and dependable and good for 100K, and the chassis got good reviews for handling in period tests.

[MoMo]

It was a good run of bikes Suzuki made "back in the day".  Dependable, smooth, fast enough with decent handling.  Plus they were easy to wrench .  Enjoy....Larry

[Vicman]

In addition to the two CB 750s, K1 and K3, I also have a 78 GS1000 and an 82 GS1100e. The step child is an 82 CSR1000.

[MoMo]

nice selection

[RAFster122s]

BikeEXIF has a pretty GS550 featured recently...go look it up.  Nice cafe bike.
The Suzuki was a faster bike than the Honda 550 and I think it actually handled better according to some reviews/comparisons

[Cougars750F0]

I picked up a 82 GS1100G a while back. I would rather had the GS1100E but still happy with it. I  also joined the GS forum.

[RAFster122s]

Cougar, not a novice speaker array in that left channel.  Homemade or professionally built by a speaker company.

[Cougars750F0]

Thanks! They're "Yamaha" speakers  and yes it's the same company. The logo on the motorcycles is three tuning forks. https://www.yamaha.com/en/about/history/ Established in 1887.

[RAFster122s]

My former wife and I owned a Yamaha Studio piano.  No clue if she still has it, doubt it.
It was a very very well built and beautiful sounding piano. It was 2400 in 1984.  They made very nice pianos and the studio piano had a richer sound than just an upright, comparing the various Yamaha pianos.  That solid sounding board made the piano close to 900 pounds.  It was a backbreaker to move.  Moved it twice myself and another couple guys but then would pay $50-75-100 to move it later. They made grand and baby grand pianos as well as many different electronic instruments, owned a small Yamaha electric piano as well.  Recall seeing their speakers, do yes I am aware of them and recall doing comparisons between them and Infinity and several other brands of the day in audio sound stores/shops.

[RAFster122s]

Scott, talk to ToyTuff, he had/has a silver or was it red in the end Suzuki and he found some hard to find stuff for it as it was a Canadian bike and had specific parts to that transition year where global and Canadian markets had different body trim and equipment than US market bike.  He found hard to find stuff.  He might have a few sources and dealers you would find useful.  His partner was or is on kidney transplant list so John has been busy providing care for her and in and out of hospitals the past few years.  Have not seen his posts most of last year.  His motorcycle work and riding took a back seat.  David

[Chuck Hahn]

Try a forum called The GS Resources.  None finer for GS bikes.  Ive got 5 or 6  of them myself.