1979 GS550 been sitting 5 years where do i start?

[Nirvana84]

Hi,
I am new to motorcycles and new to this forum.
I just picked up a 1979 GS550 from my neighbor for $30. It's complete and supposedly ran when parked 5 years ago. will take pictures and post them this weekend.
Where should I start as far as trying to get this bike running.
I work on cars as a hobby but know nothing about motorcycles.
To start off I do not have a key for the bike and the steering wheel is locked.
I got a Haynes repair manual from the library.

I am going to start by removing the ignition cylinder and seeing if that will unlock the bike so i can move it to my drive way.
and drain the gas from the gas tank .
What should I do next?
Any and all tips would be helpful
thanks in advance for any responses.
--Matt

 

[Adler]

Removing the ignition cylinder should unlock the steering. There are 2 hex bolts that hold it in.

I guess I would start by manually turning the crank to see that its free. Remove the right side points cover and turn the big bolt. Be careful, if there is any significant resistance you should probably stop.

The list of maintenance item that have invariably been ignored is quite long but, fortunately, it is also well documented.

 

[7981GS]

Take_the_three_number_code_from_the_seat_lock_to_a_Suzuki_dealer_and_get_a_key_made.

Eric

 

[Steel Toed Tank]

Take_the_three_number_code_from_the_seat_lock_to_a_Suzuki_dealer_and_get_a_key_made.

Eric

Did you break your space bar?
I only ask because I got beer on mine once and the space wouldn't work.
So.all.my.sentences.looked.like.this.lol.

 

[7981GS]

Tank,_it_just_quit_working.

Nothing_spilled.

Eric

 

[platinum2]

hi, where ya from, how old are you ,do you work?
my honest opinion let it go , save and get a gsxr750 if your young, older guys dont like them
only reason i say this is its time consuming , money eating,and you wont get many girls on it

if you really want to fix it this is the place to be, lots of info here

 

[Adler]

hi, where ya from, how old are you ,do you work?
my honest opinion let it go , save and get a gsxr750 if your young, older guys dont like them
only reason i say this is its time consuming , money eating,and you wont get many girls on it

if you really want to fix it this is the place to be, lots of info here

What a hurtful thing to say about the poor GS550.

 

[7981GS]

What a hurtful thing to say about the poor GS550.

Is_it_an_L_model?__

Eric

 

[Nirvana84]

thanks for the quick responses. Ill post pics and more info on friday when i get a chance to play with it.

 

[GateKeeper]

Leave the gas in the tank, unless it's full of crap and water and any other nasty things...

reason I say to leave it in there, is if you drain it, and don't dry the tank, and or live in a humid area you will start getting rust in the tank, at least the gas is preventing this....

If you have to, drain it and dry it, leave it open so it will stay dry.

BassCliff will be along shortly with you Mega Welcome Package and with your official welcome to the site......

but to get you started, go here, and get an online manual for your bike, and have a look around at all the other goodies there as well

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/

Welcome to the site...

.

 

[Eli69]

I guess I would start by manually turning the crank to see that its free. Remove the right side points cover and turn the big bolt. Be careful, if there is any significant resistance you should probably stop.

before i turn over a motor that's been sitting i pull the plugs and spray a bunch of pb blaster into the cylinders. they're probably pretty dry inside and maybe set up a bit. possibly even a bit rusty.

might as well pull them carbs and start the dip and clean and rebuild process, ya know they need it.

 

[gotgixers]

hi, where ya from, how old are you ,do you work?
my honest opinion let it go , save and get a gsxr750 if your young, older guys dont like them
only reason i say this is its time consuming , money eating,and you wont get many girls on it

if you really want to fix it this is the place to be, lots of info here

Hey now...I'm 45 and I have a GSXR 750 AND a GS 550 .....:-$