GS550E Different front end!

[Greasyfingers]

Hi to all. I have a GS550E and I quickly realised that the brakes are useless. It had a single disc on it to start but I found another fork leg and rebuilt both calipers and master cylinder which did improve matters but I'm still not very happy with my braking performance.

i was thinking about modernising the front end with different forks and wheel and brakes. Does anyone know what other forks wheels and brakes would fit my old girl? I would be very grateful for any help you guys can give.

[unfocused]

The GSXR triple tree from 2002 will fit the 77 GS750 frame with conversion bearings from All Balls. I also know that the steering stem from the same GSXR triple tree will fit into the Bandit 1200 triple tree while using the same conversion bearings previously mentioned. This allows the shorter gsxr legs and the almost as long GSF legs to fit my 77 frame. However, the wheels from your GS will not mount easily.

77 GS750 frame, fuel tank, seat, side covers, rear cowling, inner rear fender and tail light assy.
Everything else 2000 GSF1200. The fork swap as mentioned above has been done here. GSXR steering neck, GSF triple tree clamps and legs. I am waiting for the swingarm tophats from the machine shop. Yes the 1200 engine and exhaust is sitting in place.


I will have some brakes :-)
The question is, do you want this?
There are plenty of caliper swaps ideas on this forum.


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[Greasyfingers]

Thanks for the information but will these mods work on my 550 as you have referenced the GS750 frame? I'm not quite sure what why I will jump yet to be honest! I quite like the idea of upside-down forks and much more modern brakes so I guess I will just keep my eyes and ears of and learn from the much more experienced as to what fits and what doesn't.

[unfocused]

As per all balls bearings, the steer bearing kit listed for a GS550 is the same steer bearing kit listed for my GS750 and others... However, I used the conversion kit for the GSXR triple into my GS frame. All Balls has bearing conversion kits. This doesn't mean the steer stem will fit but as I mentioned they can be swapped. No conversion is cut and dry and this is why I swapped the steer stem from the GSXR lower triple, into my Bandit 1200 lower triple. If you look into the all balls conversion bearing list for your GS, you'll be amazed.



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[unfocused]

Also, the upside down forks will be shorter. This is my other 77 GS750 with a complete 2002 GSXR suspension, wheels and brake swap. I have not modified the forks and they're as low as they can go in the triple tree... Rear shock is removed and a strut is in place in this picture.
The oil pan is extremely low and if I were to use this as a daily, I would need a skid plate. However, for racing, it's just high enough :-)

This is the triple tree I took the steer stem out of and used for the GS 750 in the above picture with the Bandit 1200 forks.
If memory serves me correctly, the later 2006 and above GSXR suspension stuff takes more work to mount on the GS frame.

This bike is extremely short., lost a bunch of turning radius, needed a different fuel tank (your 550 tank should be ok as this tank is a 650 and you can see the dents on the front of it, won't lean very far, etc... I've considered trashing it but with a GSX750 engine installed, it's a blast to ride, straight LOL...



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