Topic: Suzuki GS550 L found for free

[Pirate Gonzo]

I got a 1982 Suzuki for free on Saturday. Guy says he has been cranking and cranking on it but can't get it to fire. He told me he didn't do much to try to get it going only changed the plugs and changed the oil a few days ago to see if he could start it. He also showed me where it back fired and started a small fire burning some of the wires but the lights and everything still work. I loaded it up and took it home. Once at home I noticed the oil level glass I couldn't see the oil level. I tipped the bike back and forth and saw nothing. I decided to pull the plug and see what comes out. I got my 5 quart bucket and proceeded to see if there was anything in it. Oil comes flying out causing me to jump and drop the plug which rolls about 5 feet away. I turn away to see where the plug went, glance back at the bucket and realize it is almost full. Frantically I stick my finger in the hole to stop the flow before over flowing the bucket. Now I realize that I am stuck with my finger in the hole, the plug way out of reach, and no containers with in reach. I holler for my girlfriend to come down (I work in my basement where it is warm) she comes down and hands me another 5 quart bucket. After the second 5 quart bucket was full I plugged the hole again and asked her for another which I also filled half way. I am guessing I drained about 12 quarts out of the bike... which calls for 2.5 quarts.

I have never seen anything like this before so my question today is, what kind of damage can cranking a bike over and over with 12 quarts of oil in it do? I feel like I want to go back to the guy and just slap him up side the head.

[WJL75]

Slap him in the head.  Did he confuse the oil tank and gas tank?

[medic09]

I wouldn't have thought the bike could even hold that much!   

[HITMAN]

WOW,  never though they could hold that much. 

As long as didn't fire that full of oil, the seals should be ok. If you do manage to get it to fire, make sure you do it outside...

Its gonna SMOKE like he!!!!!

[750goes]

well everyting should be nice and slippery now...you got it started ?

possible damage may be to oil seals - ??

[sparty]

That has to be one of the funniest and strangest things I have heard about.  I am guessing that the person who added oil to the bike did so until it was full, similar to topping off a fuel tank.  When they could no longer fit any more oil into it, they stopped.  But hey, for free, can you really complain?

Good luck with the bike, they are a great beginner bike.

Sparty

[Killer Canary]

Got a manual if you need tune-up info.

[Pirate Gonzo]

I haven't tried to start it as of yet. Wednesday I will probably get around to giving it a try. I'll let you know what happens.

[HITMAN]

Get your camera ready, post up some pics.

[gregwaits]

That story reminded me of the one I heard as a child about the kid in Holland with his finger in the dyke (no, not dike).

[mrbreeze]

Are you sure its all oil and not gas mixed in? I've seen that a few times. If its all oil......total PO mistake.....If its part gas......Carb issues.

[flatblack]

That's cool.  I've got the same bike sitting on my carport. Picked it up last summer for $50, with title. Flushed the tank, ran some carb cleaner through it, put in a fresh battery and it started up.

Put a chain on it, but it needs tires. Once it gets warm again, I'll spend a weekend with it and get it streetable.  no clue what to do with it then, however...

fb

[750goes]

don't forget to put the correct amount of oil in it.....

[bill440cars]

don't forget to put the correct amount of oil in it.....

          Ha!Ha!   Ditto on that one. During my 1st year, in the USAF (while I was in vehicle maint.), one of the guys (who wasn't really maint.-minded) was handed a 5 gal bucket of oil and told to fill the motor of a jeep. Well, he did! Somehow, he put most all of that 5 gal. in that little 4cyl motor!
his Sgt like to have blown a gasket! The guy was a clerk typist type and had been put in the motor pool. Typical  

                                                 Later on, Bill

[crazypj]

One thing I've seen with Suzuki's is the vacuum line being connected and a breather connected to fuel outlet
(had hours of fun with one manager who refused to hear he was connecting it up wrong)
Its still pretty common, even today, to find Suzuki Bandits with an extra 3 or 4 litres of oil in crankcase when fuel is left on prime position for extended periods (even over weekend sometimes)
You probably have stuck shut of valves in carbs.
 I like the GS series motors, easy to service and huge potential.
Cylinder heads are pretty restricted and need a lot of port work ( about 18~20 hrs ) as much as I hate to say it, its a far better motor than the CB550
A modified GS550 (620 kit, cams, exhaust etc) is about 20mph faster than a modified CB550, the benefits of a newer DOHC design (it starts with bigger valves than 550 )
The electrics suck big time though, so its not all good
all for now,
PJ