Tweakers molested this bike, need help with the rebuilding process.

[Briefcasezebra]

Hi folks!

I am the new owner of a 1982 Suzuki GS550L that was sold to me by a methhead for 400 dollars. No issues with titling and such, but I have a lot of questions. The entire stock air system was thrown out for cheap eBay air filters and I am trying to find parts for it, or even where the parts go! I am looking for someone who has an unmolested GS550L in the same age range that they may be able to take pictures of for me so I can start to figure out what is all missing and what I need to purchase. Any help is much appreciated. I can post pictures if needed!

 

[cowboyup3371]

Welcome. Start here at Basscliff's site - http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff - and download a service manual for the bike then read through the Top Newbie Mistakes and the rest of his site starting at (http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/images/GSR_Greeting.html)

 

[steve murdoch]

Welcome to the site.
The parts fiche will show you where things go and what is missing.
Figure out what you need and post it up in the Parts Wanted section.
https://www.bikebandit.com/oem-parts/1982-suzuki-gs550l/o/m139522#sch260844

 

[Rob S.]

Don't automatically dismiss pods out of hand. If it won't run right, tape over 7/8s of the pod filters until you can get it properly jetted - preferably by a professional tuner on a dyno. And there's no big rush to do that.

Pods have other benefits: easier access to battery and carbs, better looks, sound, etc.

 

[Steve]

Pods have other benefits: easier access to battery and carbs, better looks, sound, etc.

"Easier access to battery ..." would depend heavily on which bike. On his 550, that is a definite YES. On many other bikes, the battery is accessed from above, so pods won't make a difference.

"Easier access to carbs ...", probably true, but the reason you have to access the carbs so much is because you have switched to pods and need to constantly address jetting changes. On a stock bike, you probably won't need to access the carbs more than once every 8-10 years.

"better looks" is subjective. There are some bikes that have a nice splash of chrome covering the airbox or even a tasteful black airbox. To <my> eye, that looks better than seeing a hole in the middle of the bike with a bunch of clutter around it.

"better sound" is also rather subjective. To me, it's just more noise. I tend to ride longer distances, so the constant chatter of unmuffled pods gets rather irritating. If you have a loud exhaust and can't hear the increase the pods, you won't notice, but those of us with quiet(er) exhaust systems can really hear the pods.

Not going to deny anyone the "pleasure" of making the bike "theirs" (unless it's unsafe), just be aware that pods are not without effort.

.

 

[dorkburger]

I have pods.....
But... being that your bike is an unknown quantity, stock may be the way to go at the onset to eliminate a tuning variable, as in get it running and riding safely and reliably , then modify if you choose.

 

[Guest]

I have the front part of a 550 airbox laying around. If you're interested let me know and we can figure out if it'll fit. I think there are two different sizes depending on the carb style.

 

[Guest]

Don't automatically dismiss pods out of hand. If it won't run right, tape over 7/8s of the pod filters.

Don't do that. Get some thicker plastic, I have used empty windshield washer fluid bottles in the past, but really any relatively thick plastic that is still pliable will work. Use a piece of paper and go around the outside of the pod, making a template that will give you 7/8ish coverage of the filter space on the pod. Cut out a plastic "blocker" for each pod. Place inside the pod, and check fit. Repeat for the other pods. This helped me run pods on my beat, old CB750 without having to spend money to re-jet. Does the same thing as taping the outside of the carb, but you cant see it.

 

[Rob S.]

Black electrical tape. Easy on, easy off. Doesn't look so bad.

 

[Buffalo Bill]

Hi folks!

I am the new owner of a 1982 Suzuki GS550L that was sold to me by a methhead for 400 dollars. No issues with titling and such, but I have a lot of questions. The entire stock air system was thrown out for cheap eBay air filters and I am trying to find parts for it, or even where the parts go! I am looking for someone who has an unmolested GS550L in the same age range that they may be able to take pictures of for me so I can start to figure out what is all missing and what I need to purchase. Any help is much appreciated. I can post pictures if needed!

Best 'o luck with your restoration.
As you can now see, the pod people are very defensive. I'm an airbox guy, and I'm glad to hear you ask for one. The engineers at Suzuki put a lot of testing hours into developing the intake, trust all that effort and expertise.
BiL

 

[Steve]

If it won't run right, tape over 7/8s of the pod filters until you can get it properly jetted ...

One big problem with that idea is ... where do you leave that 1/8 opening? :-k

On the CV-type carbs, the slide covers all but the bottom of the throat at lower velocities. If you cover the bottom of the opening, there will be some severe turbulence between your tape and the slide. The reference ports for the float chamber and your main air jets are in that area, so giving them fluctuating pressures will wreak havoc with your jetting.

There is nothing like the simplicity of a stock airbox and jetting, but there is also nothing like the power (and sound) of pods that have proper jetting to back them up. Do one or the other, but commit yourself and do it properly.

.

 

[wymple]

I'm a big fan of the stock airbox, but one round with it will have you never wanting to do it again. Try the pods, if it fails in the end there wasn't a lot of money involved.

 

[Briefcasezebra]

Is there any way you could send me a picture of what this setup should look like? I have no frame of reference on what parts are missing. Manual was not very helpful

 

[Briefcasezebra]

Would you be able to send me a picture of the setup behind the covers? I am unable to find what I'm missing or what parts to purchase because I don't know what is actually missing. Here is what i have.

 

[Briefcasezebra]

Yes! i would be interested. I have the metal "Aitbox" but no hardware to connect it to the carbs. I also for the life of me can's figure out how the Airbox actually mounts to the frame.

 

[Briefcasezebra]

I have the front part of a 550 airbox laying around. If you're interested let me know and we can figure out if it'll fit. I think there are two different sizes depending on the carb style.

Id love to see if it would fit. Not finding much on Ebay.

 

[Buffalo Bill]

I have to admit, cramming the carbs back in place between the airbox and intake boots of the GS550 was the toughest of all the 80s bikes I ever worked on. Hours of trial and error 'til I figured out the trick.
Real EZ to do it for my GS1100G, just because there's much more room.

 

[Steve]

Real EZ to do it for my GS1100G, just because there's much more room.

And, ... as easy as it is on your 1100, my 850s are just a little easier, as the engine size is ever so slightly smaller. :encouragement:

For some reason, the guys with the 550s and the chain-driven 1100s think we are kidding when we say that we can just about stand beside the bike and throw the carbs and airbox into position.

.

 

[Guest]

Have a look at post 21 onward here: https://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?201940-GS550ET-Rebuild/page3

Not perfect pics, but may help.