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Author Topic: Looking at a 1972 Suzuki GT550  (Read 8033 times)

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Offline oldfett

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Looking at a 1972 Suzuki GT550
« on: September 02, 2009, 06:47:48 PM »
Hey all,

I found a 1972 Suzuki GT550 that has me really tempted. The thing looks amazing and at a VERY good price. I just had a couple of concerns and I figured at least someone here must have experience with them.

1) Reliability, this bike has 13,000 miles on it and I really don't know how long they last. I know they can't come anywhere near my CB750 but if I am going to be having troubles with it before I hit the 20,000 mark I don't want it.
2) Power and size, I'm a big guy at 6'2" and about 275 pounds so I am kinda worried that this puppy may have troubles moving me around.
3) The 2-stroke, I have never owned a 2-stroke before so I really don't know what to expect/do. I assume there is an auxiliary tank to fill with oil? If this is the case what do you fill it with? It really wouldn't be all that much fun if I have to order in a case of expensive oil so that I never want to ride it.
4) Parts, I know these are a rarer bike but are parts that hard to come by? It looks like the only problems with this one is that it is missing the front fender and the gauges are cloudy. Apart from that she sure is pretty!
5)Maintenance, Would this be a nightmare?

So any insight sure would be handy! Oh by the way here are some pictures! He is wanting $800, it sounds like a steal to me but I am not very experienced with these bikes.



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Offline zoo mob

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Re: Looking at a 1972 Suzuki GT550
« Reply #1 on: September 02, 2009, 06:51:41 PM »
Get it for $500 or so, ride it and love it, it will have plenty of power.
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Offline hoodellyhoo

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Re: Looking at a 1972 Suzuki GT550
« Reply #2 on: September 02, 2009, 07:55:10 PM »
As far as reliability, they are supposedly very reliable bikes. They were tuned for broader power and torque, not as high strung as the kawasaki triples.

there was an article I read once about replacing the suzuki gauge lenses with glass to avoid the clouding.

I say got for it. I'd sure love to have one.
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Offline bryanj

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Re: Looking at a 1972 Suzuki GT550
« Reply #3 on: September 03, 2009, 12:14:24 AM »
Standard Two stroke oil goes in the tank, reliable bikes but need the timing set up CRITICALY correct
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Offline kirkn

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Re: Looking at a 1972 Suzuki GT550
« Reply #4 on: September 03, 2009, 06:00:36 AM »
Fine, fine bikes.  AFAIK, no issues at all.

In fact, I've always remembered that a GT550 walked away with all the marbles in a Cycle Magazine multi-bike Middleweight shoot-out back in 1975.  Overall bested the CB550 four, the Yamaha XS650 & RD400, Suzuki's own GT380 and Kawi's 500 triple plus a few other bikes, I think.

That's always stuck with me as testimony to it's all-round goodness as a middleweight.

And for only $800, with the stock exhaust??  I'd go for it in a minute.

Good luck,

Kirk
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Offline oldfett

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Re: Looking at a 1972 Suzuki GT550
« Reply #5 on: September 03, 2009, 05:47:29 PM »
I think I am going to go for it. God this is turning into a vintage bike addiction!
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Offline Roach Carver

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Re: Looking at a 1972 Suzuki GT550
« Reply #6 on: September 04, 2009, 07:32:03 PM »
the front hub is worth 3-400 by itself.
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Offline oldfett

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Re: Looking at a 1972 Suzuki GT550
« Reply #7 on: September 06, 2009, 02:50:01 PM »
OK it looks like the current owner stripped the bike down and had the frame powdercoated. While it was apart the carbs were cleaned, the oil pump set, the points and condensers replaced and everything was cleaned. I still don't know if they did the rest of the tune up items. It needs a new set of tires. The chain and sprocket are supposedly still very good. The brakes are still supposedly pretty good. The current owner took the baffles out of the pipes but still has them along with the mirror and front fender. With all of this in mind does the $800 tops (hopefully I can talk it down a little) still sound good?
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Offline Hush

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Re: Looking at a 1972 Suzuki GT550
« Reply #8 on: September 06, 2009, 04:44:53 PM »
Looks like a lovely old example mate, they had major fouling issues with the middle plug for some reason even from brand new, my T350 used to eat them  ;D probably because of this, still she looks very restorable.
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Offline luder

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Re: Looking at a 1972 Suzuki GT550
« Reply #9 on: September 07, 2009, 10:54:32 AM »
Geez I had one of those in 76-77, Rode the crap out of her, my 1st road bike (ahh remember high school) sold it when I joined the Army. They do have some pretty good scoot to them also, if you get her enjoy the old girl....luder
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Offline manjisann

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Re: Looking at a 1972 Suzuki GT550
« Reply #10 on: September 07, 2009, 12:31:10 PM »
I have no experience with this bike, but my thoughts on it. Unless you are going for a factory restore, as long as it is good, I'd view the powder coating as a plus. If she'll run and he has all the extra parts, and if you got the money go for it. Seems like it would be a fun bike.

Brandon
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Sure it's for sale! How much you ask?? Well, how much are you willing to pay??? Now triple it, that's the price!

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Offline oldfett

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Re: Looking at a 1972 Suzuki GT550
« Reply #11 on: September 07, 2009, 01:34:14 PM »
Quote from: manjisann on September 07, 2009, 12:31:10 PM
I have no experience with this bike, but my thoughts on it. Unless you are going for a factory restore, as long as it is good, I'd view the powder coating as a plus. If she'll run and he has all the extra parts, and if you got the money go for it. Seems like it would be a fun bike.

Brandon

See now that's what I'm worried about. Powdercoating can go in so many directions depending on how good it was prepped. And me still being a novice I don't know how to check this out very well. Either way I am going to look at it this week. Chances are I will end up buying it. Just waiting on my helmet to make it here as I just moved.
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Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: Looking at a 1972 Suzuki GT550
« Reply #12 on: September 07, 2009, 03:31:09 PM »
I wouldn't worry about the powder coating at all. I used to do powder coating for a living and its pretty hard to screw it up. The only time i ever had a come back was when the paint manufacturer some how got silicone in the powder, it fish eyed, that wasn't my fault and was the only defect i have ever seen on powder coating.

Mick
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Offline bikebitzofvt

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Re: Looking at a 1972 Suzuki GT550
« Reply #13 on: September 22, 2009, 09:56:42 PM »
Those are mighty fun motorcycles.  Very simple compared to out OHV 4 strokes.  I'd get it in a heartbeat!  Go forth and bargain!

I had one for years, it had 40+K miles on it when I sold it.  It was my bro-in-law's before I had it, he rode it for 5+ years including trips from CT to Long Island and PA.  He is a big guy - 275+ - and it had a Vetter fairing on it, too.  It had no problem hauling him around.  I did have to replace the clutch around the 25K mark. 

You'll need a dial caliper that threads into the spark plug hole to time it properly. 

OEM parts availability should be pretty good - I've found the bike bandit site does a very good job on showing what's available & what's discontinued, it might be worth some time looking around there.  IMO their prices are too high...

The bike has an oil tank under the left side cover for the injection oil.  Suzuki CCI is the injection oil of choice, should be available at your local dealer around $6.00 / quart.  You should get 8-10 tanks of gas out've a quart.  The Mikuni oil pump is super reliable, I used to check it quite often but almost never needed to adjust it.

They used a scavenge system that picks up unburned oil from the bottom end of the engine & injects it into the intakes.  Talk about putting up a smoke screen!  An old timer had me disconnect it on my bike with very positive results.

Definately clean & reinstall the baffles.  They help the engine make power.  If they're fouled with carbon just hang them outside & blast 'em with a propane torch before installation, wrap with fiberglass.

Good luck!
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Offline bucky katt

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Re: Looking at a 1972 Suzuki GT550
« Reply #14 on: September 22, 2009, 10:09:11 PM »
i have a 72 titan that i'm getting ready to start working on soon. i love that 2 stroke sound
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