The journey of GS550C

[hakim5857]

Your doing a lot at quite a fast pace actually, you'll have a new bike before you know it, and a very understanding wifey!! Your going to owe her

hehehe... i owe her alot old_skool, this is the beginning journey of my GS. Now waiting for 0.5 piston & ring to arrive. When everything repair.., my GS will start her journey latest by June to attend my friend wedding at Terengganu. Stay tune...

[hakim5857]

Yesterday after work i test drive my GS, rev it all out but seem like when it reach 8k rpm i lost the speed momentum and when i change the gear then i gain speed. This morning i tried again as im going to work the same thing happen. Max speed unknown as the speedometer flactuate 120kmh - 130kmh @ 7k rpm. I tried to pull some more but scared s**t out of me as my GS wobbly plus cant stand the wind force (Need to put windshield ) Check engine oil - quarter to L and need to top up

[old_skool]

Hey buddy, what's the latest update?? Hows things going for you and the bike?!

[hakim5857]

Hi all, sorry not keeping you'll update as im busy with work & at the same time gathering item to rebuild the engine.., I took 3 days leave from 4/17/12 til 4/19/12 to rebuild my engine. Here some picture...,

Carb rebuild kit, piston ring 050 & allen stainless steel for crankcase cover..,

new piston 050..,

Hey... where's my front forks... hehehehe... i already found replacement for my pitted forks although it second hand but it still useable..,

second hand forks...

Install of new piston & ring has begun, engine disassembly and assembly i done by myself with the guidence of Ah Guan accept bore the cylinder had to sent it out to the specialist. Im taking this advantage to clean up the air box plus spray paint the filter box & battery holder badly rusted. I open up the carb & replace all new jet (whatever jet it is) inside the carb and do the valve adjustment.
In the process of assembly camshaft, the camshaft cap bold loose... about 4 bolt loose. So had to retread & install bigger bolt. The whole process took me about 3 days & yesterday is the D-day for my GS.
After assembly everything, check, double check & check-check again... put the battery, connect the wire. Before start the bike, i seek permission from my Sifu-Ah Guan..., he said "NO.., Let me start it" "Ok Boss". He crank it first 3X then he start the bike..., eeee...eee..eeee..eeee.., until the forth time the bike still cannot start..., then Ah Guan said to me "Now you try to start it as this your bike & maybe you have luck". So i try to start it until the fifth time it still cannot start. The six time... i push the start button, pull the choke ... Eeee...eeee..eeeeeeeeeee...bruppp..eeeee ...ok... it coming...!!! i shake the bike... & suddently it roarrr...... YESSSs..!!! but within 10 second it die off... WTF... Ah Guan & my friend laugh at me as the bike start when I shaking my GS... they said "You have skill to start your GS Hakim by shaking it and suddently it can start" so i said "Actually my bike been sleeping at Ah Guan shop for 3 days already, thats why i had to shake to wake my GS up" hahahhahaha....
I adjust iddle timing and start it again - its alive.... with smooth engine sound... i dont know how to described my feeling at that time.... all the hard work plus all the money spent...
I let it warm up first, rev it up... soooo. smooth.... Ah Guan said to me that i need to get it easy in the break in process.., i said ok but in my heart "NO WAY..!!!" Leaving Ah Guan shop i rode it gently & slowly... after that about 100m away it rev it & speed it up like no body business . I read already about the "Break In procedure - Break it hard" I ride the bike like i stole it until.... my rpm meter faulty signal light not blinking & neutral light was on all the time...

Today will drop by @ Ah Guan shop to change new engine oil & oil filter. Next project will be rear suspension & painting job... oh.. not to forget my RPM & speedo meter too...

[mcloud]

Hi Hakim,

Your tale is one of determination and postiveness, ponctuated with the right picture. Your humor cracks me up, making me want to read more.
You made a lot of friends here.

Many thanks,

[hakim5857]

Hi Hakim,

Your tale is one of determination and postiveness, ponctuated with the right picture. Your humor cracks me up, making me want to read more.
You made a lot of friends here.

Many thanks,

Thanks mcloud, sincerely appreciate your comments. Every journey must take the first step & when we move forward.., dont turning back but you can still look back from your left/right side mirror .

Now im slowing down a bit after being advised from my Financial Controller (my wife of course) buying part and repairing my GS. She jelous already as i spent most of the time with my GS . Anyway i told her that i need 1 more part which is Dyna ignition green coil hehehehe... can wait to feel the dyna ignition coil.

[hakim5857]

Charity Ride to orphan home @ Ipoh, Perak

Hi all, my GS begin her journey to Ipoh, Perak (150 km) for charity ride to orphanage home~Nur Iman on 5/1/12. All bikers will gathered at RK-M Factory (Sprocket factory) at Perai, Penang for short briefing, group foto and to received some goodies from sponcer for the charity ride. Im so excited as this the is the first journey/convoy with my GS. Day before i check everything to ensure my GS in good order for the event. At nite, i pack up everything - some tools even spare 1liter engine oil just incase because i will ride my GS hard. I made an appointment with my friend (he ride Hyosung 650) & we will meet up at the restaurant 7.30am before we together went to the assemble point. Its my habit to be early 10mins before the appointment, so i waited there and had my breakfast first. At 7.30am he still haven't arrived yet, no point if i called as he will be riding his bike. Ok, be patient... at 7.40am my friend called me and informed that he's on the way with his friend riding Vulcan 800. OMG...!!! this mean that i had to wait another 30mins @#@$@#@*^$%$. After both my friend arrive, let both of them had a quick breakfast & we straight went to the assembly point. here some picture;



When we arrived there, we still have to wait as some bikers haven't arrived yet. Participant about 200 bikers from 100cc to 1000cc bikes and all latest bikes. I feel like "Torn among the roses" hehehe... they all ride mostly Yamaha & Kawasaki but i the only suzuki, GS & the oldest bike among all... Toinggg..,!!! in my heart im praying hard for my GS to not letting me down. The convoy should begin at 9.30am but due to some of them a bit late, group foto & short speech the convoy start taking off at 10.30am. All went well but the 100cc groups ride at 100kmh speed and they had to made 4 stop point before reached the destination. At the 3rd point, the superbike group (including me) cannot take it as we feel sleepy at that speed so we seek permission from the organizer to go first. Permission was granted and we go first leaving the 100cc group behind but we will wait for them at the 4th point. At first we in the group of convoy, within 10km the others superbike ride their bike like no body business. I try to catch up with them and speed at 160kmh but still cannot see their bike ass... WTF...!!! I look from my side mirrow i see 2 of my friend (Hyosung650 & vulcan800) at far behind so had to slow down as we were together earlier. When we reach at the highway toll, they waited for us sitting & smoking ~ S#*t. Together we went to the last stop point waited for 100cc groups to arrived. We will combine with another group from Perak state and together will go to the orphan home.


Its me... the superbike group waited for the 100cc group @ petrol station.


This what happen when the 100cc group arrived at the petrol station, so the organizer divert us to another stop point as we don't want to disturb the petrol station business. hehehehe...




We been divert to recreation park, it 12.30pm & it is HOT.... i with my friends taking cover under the tree but other... Waited there for about 45mins because of the backup 4WD pickup and small truck miss the junction. @$%@E. At about 1.30pm the convoy headed to ophan home with police escort.




After having a quick lunch with the kids and have a little chat with them plus giving personal donation. I with two of my friend have to make a move as its already 3.30pm even thou the organizer had another program as they wanted to go to waterfall recreation park near by (not the earlier recreation park). So three of us headed back home, what i cannot stand is at the vibration when i speed at 120kmh & above. With my bag pack full of tools & 1liter engine oil making my shoulder in pain. Along the journey i keep cursing my bag pack & to my self as why im not buying rubber type rope so that i can tie up the bag on my seat. We take a short break at highway R&R but i can still feel the vibration its like you holding vibrator in your hand. bbrrreeetttttt.... plus my shoulder in pain because of the heavy bag. My friend had to refuel but i did not. After that we on the road again, i then ride ride my GS hard in full trottle leaving my friend behind. I don't know what the top speed i achieved as the speedometer going crazy as when the meter needle at 120 - 140kmh it flactuate plus the RPM meter completely death. 10km before i reached home, my GS feels like no power even i pull the trottle up i unable to gain speed. I immediatly turn petcock to reserved, the power came back then i realize that my fuel is low. Far ahead i saw my friend slowing down as he notice that im unable to keep up with him. But i had to go to refuel my tank, i give him hand sign and off he went. Im lucky as the petrol stesen just near by, refuel full tank & headed back home. Now no more Micheal Buble song "HOME" as my baby at his top condition & performance....

I would like to "THANK YOU" to the GSResource Forum & to all GS members here as without you all ~ advises and tips ~ my GS will not be what it is today. All my friends giving thumbs up to my GS as it can keep up with modern bikes...

THANK GUYS FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.

[old_skool]

Nice story and a worthy cause!

Now, since your done with that build....go get a GS1000-1100, and the super bikes won't be running away so fast, less vibration, bigger fuel tanks, lottttts more power. and you get to start the build all over.....wife my throw you out though Get yourself a luggage rack backrest on your bike, make carrying things easier. Plus a 550, a GS550 isn't a super bike, that fact you rode with that group at all was amazing. You've come a long way in a short time, now it's time to just have fun for awhile. Take the wife for a ride, not to get groceries, just a nice easy cruise, after all, without the bosses permission to spend all the hard earned $$, your baby might still be under a tarp somewhere.

[mcloud]

Thank you Hakim,

+1 on the luggage rack.
I'm sure you can scavenge a used one and make it look nice.
Be sure to pack up a picnic basket and ride with your wife to a nice location , she deserves it.

We'll wait for your next GS Story.

[7981GS]

Wonderful story. Please keep us informed of your future escapades.

Eric

[Charlie G]

Hakim,

Thank you for sharing your adventure. I love the pictures. If you are getting vibration in your hands, you might consider if your handle bars have you riding in an poor riding position.

Thanks again.

Charlie G

[hakim5857]

Nice story and a worthy cause!

Now, since your done with that build....go get a GS1000-1100, and the super bikes won't be running away so fast, less vibration, bigger fuel tanks, lottttts more power. and you get to start the build all over.....wife my throw you out though Get yourself a luggage rack backrest on your bike, make carrying things easier. Plus a 550, a GS550 isn't a super bike, that fact you rode with that group at all was amazing. You've come a long way in a short time, now it's time to just have fun for awhile. Take the wife for a ride, not to get groceries, just a nice easy cruise, after all, without the bosses permission to spend all the hard earned $$, your baby might still be under a tarp somewhere.

.... GS550 enough for me already old_skool & i will keep it until the end. Now.., i dont mind if those superbikes leave me behind 10-30 highway light, what most important my GS will bring me to the desire destination & bring me home. For my wife... i owe her a lot & for sure will take her for nice & easy riding but she a bit shy to join any convoy. Furthermore she's now 7 months pregnant (my fault)

Thank you Hakim,

+1 on the luggage rack.
I'm sure you can scavenge a used one and make it look nice.
Be sure to pack up a picnic basket and ride with your wife to a nice location , she deserves it.

We'll wait for your next GS Story.

you're right mcloud.., she deserves it... im buying alpinestars 3 in 1 bag, it can be at tank, back seat & bag pack. Will be arrive today...

Wonderful story. Please keep us informed of your future escapades.

Eric

Thanks 7981GS @ Eric, the journey will be continue. Now everybody invite me to joint their bikers club, exchange phone no. & more invitation for convoy.... i will attend until this month but next month i have to stop for a while as my wife will be 8 months pregnant... this also a request from her as for the past 4 months most of the time i spent with my new wife/GS...

Hakim,

Thank you for sharing your adventure. I love the pictures. If you are getting vibration in your hands, you might consider if your handle bars have you riding in an poor riding position.

Thanks again.

Charlie G

Today will check what the cause of the vibration & try to minimize it. Riding position ok...

[hakim5857]

My Dyna ignition coil DC1-1 + tank bag arrived already... yeahhh..!!!



Yesterday installed the ignition coil but unfortunately i didn't buy the plug wire but im lucky Ah Guan got plug wire compitible with the ignition coil. After installed it, then we tried it out. start the engine & it alive.... yes... suddenly my friend scream out loud... "hey you got spark on the engine!!!" i immediately cut off the engine and inspect... found out that i forgot to plug in #2 plug wire . Ah Guan & my friend cursing me like hell as it scare them out when they see the large spark... hihihihihi...
Engine idle was smooth and on the way going back home the power delivery was excellant compare with the previous ignition coil.

[musicman]

I'm enjoying reading your thread here man, keep us posted on how it goes!

[hakim5857]

I'm enjoying reading your thread here man, keep us posted on how it goes!

Thanks musicman & im happy that you enjoy...

Today my wife request to ride GS going to her parent house @ Kulim, Kedah. Usually we went there by car but now she requested even been advised by me due to her condition (pregnant) but she insist. She said to me "I trust you that you will taking care the baby & me plus riding safely". "Yes Ma'am" i agreed and also i owe her a lot... here some picture along the journey;


On the way to her parent house we stop by to snap some fotos.

My lovely sweetheart...

Last year we planned to take wedding picture with the bike but unfortunately my GS was not ready on time. Before taking picture i said to my wife that this picture is for our first wedding anniversary with baby on board... hihihihi....


Taking short cut riding along the fruits & palm plantations.

The GS cruise steadily & smooth without any problem. The dyna ignition coil making lots of different to the engine power delivery making my left hand feel light to pull the throttle but "SORRY... PREGNANT WOMAN ON BOARD" So had to speed at 80-90 kmh only. When reach her parent house, my father in law making noise as why we ride the bike instead of driving the car "bla...bla.. bla.. she's pregnant... bla...bla...bla...." (I knew it already....) then my mother in law said "She's pillion big bike & not the small bike which is not comfortable" with my wife backing me up. Then my father in law said "What about rain.., now days its raining season... bla...bla...bla..." Ok... no comment...
After we had chat, make nescessary thing up for her parent, we make a move as its going to rains... hahahahaha.... (What a good excuse to escape...)


Before headed back home, we stop by before the R&R / Toll to snap some fotos... the cloud getting darker so we quickly headed back home.