More power

[dalknob]

I am thinking about ways to get more power out of my '78 gs550, one of the things I am considering is new air cleaners on each carb to increase air intake, does anyone have any thoughts or experiewnce with this?
Dalknob

[Dink]

The BEST way to more power is be certain of what you have FIRST!!!
Go through the bike. Clean and set the carbs, check and adjust ignition timing, valve clearences. Give it a complete once over. Fresh oil and filter, new plugs, check ALL electrical on it; are you get over 12 volts to the coils?? clean every connection on the bike, make sure all connections are tight. Check/replace intake o-rings, & boots.
You will never know if you are getting a performance increase, if the bike is RIGHT to start with. You may be only fixing a problem it already had.
Also look at the overall condition of the bike. Wheel bearings? steering head bearings? Fork and shock condition? Is the sag set up correctly?? What condition are your tyres in?? Have you "stringlined" it?? how are the brakes?? there is a lot of performance; I mean in point to point times, in good suspension, brakes & tyres.
How is your riding?? once again this is an area where HUGE gains are possible. Done a riding course??
The other thing is define what sort of power gains are you after? Overall? peak? elapsed time?? or just chasing a number on a dyno sheet??
BTW what are you compression readings??
How is that for a starting point?

Dink

[8trackmind]

I am thinking about ways to get more power out of my '78 gs550, one of the things I am considering is new air cleaners on each carb to increase air intake, does anyone have any thoughts or experiewnce with this?
Dalknob

As a fellow 550 owner, I will be the first of many to tell you save your coins for a bigger bike. Hopping up a 550 will be more expensive than hopping up a 750, or a 1000. You get way less for your money in the long run.

That being said, some thoughtful upgrades to the forks, shocks, brakes and the tires will make the bike a giant killer on a curvy road. With a skilled (smooth) rider, and the chassis dialed in, a well set up 550 will leave any of it's larger brothers in the dust. :-D

[Dink]

The standard method to more power cams carbs and pipes.
What is the bike fitted with at present? Is it stock??
How far are you willing to go for more power?? Raised compression? Big-bore??
Fitting "pods" will require re-jetting, this can be a nightmare. It is also a bit pointless without fitting a 4 into 1 exhaust.
Mind you finding an exhaust to suit a 78 550 may be a serious challenge too.
Have you considered just buying a bigger bike??

Dink