Valve Guide for GS550

[Carman34l]

So I was going through removing my valves to get the cylinder head ready for cleaning/painting and I had half of one of the valve guides come out with the springs. By the looks of it, it happened when the engine was running because of the amount of wear at the break.

Where can I locate a valve guide for a 1981 GS550 engine?

And I am assuming once I find one, I just press it in? Or is it something I should just bring to my machinist?

[Nessism]

Machinest time for sure unless you have the proper tools. The service manual details the R/R procedure but they make it seem more trivial that it truly is. Plus, you have to cut the valve seat after installing guides so that's another complication. It might be cheaper to find a used head.

[Carman34l]

Thats the problem... This is my "used" head I bought. The other one was is really poor shape corrosion wise.

I have access to any tool I need, I just really need to locate where I can buy 1 guide.

I will be drilling out the old one, and pressing the new one in myself. Then having my machinist do the seat fitments.

[Nessism]

Thats the problem... This is my "used" head I bought. The other one was is really poor shape corrosion wise.

I have access to any tool I need, I just really need to locate where I can buy 1 guide.

I will be drilling out the old one, and pressing the new one in myself. Then having my machinist do the seat fitments.

Valve guides are available at various aftermarket and your favorite dealership source. The Suzuki valve guides require you to ream out the hole in the head oversize. I can't remember the exact size but I think the service manual has the details.

As for removing the guide, heating the head will allow you to drive it out with a drift. Valve guide drifts have an angle on them so the guide doesn't flare and tear up the head.

[Carman34l]

Valve guides are available at various aftermarket and your favorite dealership source.

I cannot find them anywhere. I have found them for 1000's but not for the 550. If you know of a source, please let me know.

[rapidray]

You should still be able to get the stock, NON oversize, guides from any Suzuki dealer. Ray.

[Nessism]

You should still be able to get the stock, NON oversize, guides from any Suzuki dealer. Ray.

My understanding is the valve guides sold by Suzuki have an oversized OD and require reaming the head. A member here that has done his own guide work bought the reamer and said you need it if using the guides sold by Suzuki. The factory service manual lists the reamer in the special service tools section, P/N 09916-34530.

I cannot find them anywhere. I have found them for 1000's but not for the 550. If you know of a source, please let me know.

Suzuki motorcycle dealers sell parts. There are also dozens of on-line Suzuki part sources. Try googling "suzuki motorcycle parts" and you will get tons of hits. Part Shark is the cheapest part source I've found.

When you put the bike back together you should use original Suzuki gaskets so you should order those too. Aftermarket gaskets are a big gamble. I used an Athena gasket kit before and the base gasket failed.