GS550 happines or harm? For my wife...

[svahnm]

Now my wife has GS too! \\/ \\/



Hi, I have gs850g '79 as some of you already know. I have been planning to get one old timer for my wife too.

I have some questions about technic and dimensions.

I have understood that 550 engine would be much alike 750,850 etc.. ball bearings etc.. Is there any major disadvantages to compare those 4-cyl big brothers? I am talking about '78 GS550 E-model some 40-50k miles behind.
Is there same issues with charging system, ignition, carbs?

Like said, I am considering the bike for my wife. She is only 156cm (Italian), so I am first of all concerned about seat height and weight. She is capable to ride eg. GPZ500s, Kawasaki ER-5 as factory settings, but currently '03 zx6r has been lowered some centimeters.
I couldn't find any info about seat height compare to eg. my GS850g which is quite high. Seat might be easy to lower and rear suspension soft as possible.
Suzukicycles.org was studied

Please give me some opinions about bike overall and if someone has information about dimensions etc.

[Nessism]

GS550's are nice bikes but have the same issues as the others as you noted. Not sure about seat height but I'd be willing to measure my GS550T if that would help you.

[tkent02]

550s are great....

Don't worry about 50,000 miles, the engines are bulletproof.
dunno about seat height.

[svahnm]

Nice to hear that it is the same good old GS as I assumed.:-D

Actually about seat height I found from GS500e '81 height is claimed to be 790mm. My GS850g '79 they claimed 785mm..
Although seat might be more narrow.

I think lowering the bike is not so easy as modern bikes with those different lenght 'bones'.
Does anyone have other methods than forming the seat and loosing springload? Any big visual modifications I couldn't make because this bike is also classified as 'museum vehicle' and should be restored as it was year 1978.

One question still I have about the performance.. How is gs550 on the road soloriding?
My wife had first bike as Kawasaki ER-5 (same engine as ninja 500r, 50hp) and that was ok for one person. It seems that this old gs has even one newton meter extra torque compare with ER-5.

[leo550e]

Nice to hear that it is the same good old GS as I assumed.:-D

Actually about seat height I found from GS500e '81 height is claimed to be 790mm. My GS850g '79 they claimed 785mm..
Although seat might be more narrow.

I think lowering the bike is not so easy as modern bikes with those different lenght 'bones'.
Does anyone have other methods than forming the seat and loosing springload? Any big visual modifications I couldn't make because this bike is also classified as 'museum vehicle' and should be restored as it was year 1978.

One question still I have about the performance.. How is gs550 on the road soloriding?
My wife had first bike as Kawasaki ER-5 (same engine as ninja 500r, 50hp) and that was ok for one person. It seems that this old gs has even one newton meter extra torque compare with ER-5.

hi. i have had 2 and can tell you they will do 115 mph.
122 ish down hills. they never feel slow at real world speeds, and have plenty of grunt from 40 to 80, which lees fact it, is where you need it.

i even used to **** off my friends off the lights, as the power[ god the power] was so easy to lay down.

[svahnm]

hi. i have had 2 and can tell you they will do 115 mph.
122 ish down hills. they never feel slow at real world speeds, and have plenty of grunt from 40 to 80, which lees fact it, is where you need it.

i even used to **** off my friends off the lights, as the power[ god the power] was so easy to lay down.

I am happy to hear that! Once I tested my 850g and arms start to stretch after 100mph, so that will do fine.. I have other bikes if I'm in a hurry..:-D

Has anyone suggestions how to lower the bike (I suppose my wife could reach it if seat modified, but she insisted that feet must reach fully on the ground before I have permission to buy it)

[leo550e]

looking at my bike i bet i could get a good 2 inchs off the saddle..... a cheap fix.

hey dude, do you know of any websites that do piston kits for the old gs?

[skreemer]

changing the foam in the seat will get you about 2 inches... what's the length of her inseam? I think Nerobro's is only 28 inches and he can get both feet to the ground...



LEO55E: If you are talking 82 and previous years the 650 pistons and head will bolt right up with a minimal of work...

[svahnm]

Lenght of her inseam? Good question! Well the 500cc Kawasaki I mentioned (ER-5) has 780mm seat height and very narrow saddle, so if I could remove foam from GS's saddle some 1-1,5 inces it would be even lower than Kawa she rode.´

Is that dry weight really under 200kg/440lbs? Feels rather light to be 4-cyl.

Next weekend I am planning to check the bike. (250 miles from my place)

[skreemer]

the 440lbs is just about right for the dry weight. It will feel heavy moving it about (especially if the wheel bearings need to be replaced) but hopefully the weight won't be prohibitive.

Anything newer... and especially an upright parallel twin like the ER6 will be lighter and possibly more manageable when moving around the garage...

[t3rmin]

You can get an 0.5 to 1 inch or so lower by installing shorter shocks (if you can find them) and raising the forks in the triple-tree. Your 550 would have 12.5" shocks I believe. Find some 12" units on eBay and you're good to go.

Both easy to do mods.

[skreemer]

You can get an 0.5 to 1 inch or so lower by installing shorter shocks (if you can find them) and raising the forks in the triple-tree. Your 550 would have 12.5" shocks I believe. Find some 12" units on eBay and you're good to go.

Both easy to do mods.

Be aware that doing this incorrectly will effectively "slow" the steering and possibly making it harder during "turn in" on corners...

if you keep the geometry(rake and trail) the same it shouldn't effect it at all...

[svahnm]

Yep. I am aware of changing geometry will affect handling. Although some 1/2 inch I don't think it makes too much difference. At the front I think sliding tubes isn't much possible due the handlebar a top of them? Or? Don't have bike near me right now to check..

Well, if she (my wife) can't ride it I will.. Who says the man can't have two GSs? They even have multiple wives somewhere around the globe..:-D

Well, let's see how it goes, I'll go tomorrow check the bike. As being an optimist I will take the trailer behind my car.
(It is 10 degrees Fahrenheit and some snow and ice here in Finland)

[svahnm]

I have bought the bike!

I'll try to publish some pics later.

[svahnm]

A little bit poor images, but here it is..







And here is the "big brother"..