Maintenance shopping

[Dreef1999]

List of stuff I need to buy for my '77 gs550

108 link o-ring 530 chain, ebay $59
50 tooth rear sprocket $36 z1
15 tooth front sprocket $14 z1
Valve cover gasket, Real gasket $25
Cheng Shin HiMax 100/90 front 110/90 rear, $95.04 American Motorcycle Tire

Shift rod linkage (lost today) $7.50 bikebandit
Cam Plugs? Z1 doesn't have the '77 gs550 plugs?


Now looking for advice on anything else that I should consider shopping for now, other gaskets or parts, sheet gasket, breather gasket? Or any good stores to purchase from.

Also anyone happen to have a cheap shift rod linkage that I could get!?

[Nessism]

What part of Los Angles are you in? There are a few of us around.

My advice is don't use a Real Gasket on the 550, the tach driven gear is in the valve cover and the extra thickness of the Real Gasket, over stock, will reduce gear teeth engagement and may cause the gear to strip out.

The cam plugs are the same for all the GS engines; check some of the other models, Z1 should have them although you can typically reuse the ones you have.

Regarding other things you need, it's hard for us to say since we don't know the history of your bike. As for the shift linkage, what part do you need? I have a brand new threaded rod piece from my old 550 that I never got around to installing.

Let me know if you need any help.

[TheCafeKid]

If im not mistaken, and maybe you dont on the 550, but you MIGHT need a spacer washer for that 530 set up, unless you already have one of course. Some guys say the didnt end up needing it, but I have on the three bikes ive installed 530 kits on (2 750s and a 1100)

Also, if you havent replaced them already, and they're still stock, get rid of those plug boots, and get some fresh NGK. Ive played around with trying to hang on (against all the advice ive read) to those old stockers, and the first time it rains real good, if youve any cracks in those suckers, they're toast. Dont get caught like I did.

Sounds like, for the most part, you have your bases covered. On the half moons, a trick I learned is using teflon plumbers tape around the bottom (the round side) just one layer, and ive never had a leak out of one since, and ive been able to even reuse the old suckers that may have been in the bike to begin with..

[Nessism]

The 550 comes stock with a 530 chain so no worry about spacers.

[Baatfam]

Before you buy from bikebandit, read this:

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=142866&highlight=bikebandit

Just FWI

[kparkfan]

Z1 has the cam plugs you just need to either call them or do a parts inquiry. thats what i had to do to mine.

[Dreef1999]

See, this is the wonderful information that only experience can provide! This is my first bike and I had to make multiple purchases to finish my carburetors because I didn't have the foresight to buy everything together.

My hope is that now that the bike is running that I can get the tires, sprockets, and valves done in one shot with minimal time waiting for parts or having to reorder anything. My fear is that I will get into what I am doing and realize that I need to order something and end up parked for an extra week. I also hate paying for shipping multiple times!

What is my best source for gaskets? Call Z1 and see if they have the gs550 gasket? Do I need a breather gasket? If I wanted to pull my covers off for cleaning and polishing where would I get gaskets for that?

It sounds like there is a good chance my cam plugs will be reuseable so maybe I should wait to order those?

Maybe I would be best off parking the bike and pulling the valve cover and measuring my shims and gaps. Then make one big order to Z1 which includes my replacement shims valve, plugs etc.

Nessism I am in Santa Monica and this is what I lost. Dumb move on my part I forgot to tighten down the two nuts when adjusting.

[Nessism]

Nessism I am in Santa Monica and this is what I lost. Dumb move on my part I forgot to tighten down the two nuts when adjusting.

Good news is that I have that rod you need. Not sure about a left hand nut though - you need one right hand and one left hand. Regarding shims and gaskets, Marina Suzuki is pretty good about having old bike parts. You might give them a shot for the gaskets you need. They will also swap shim with you. I also have a pile of shims and can bail you out if you get stuck. Drop me a PM if I can be of any help.

[Dreef1999]

Good news is that I have that rod you need. Not sure about a left hand nut though - you need one right hand and one left hand. Regarding shims and gaskets, Marina Suzuki is pretty good about having old bike parts. You might give them a shot for the gaskets you need. They will also swap shim with you. I also have a pile of shims and can bail you out if you get stuck. Drop me a PM if I can be of any help.

Check your pm.

[Dreef1999]

Thank you very much for your order with us! Unfortunately, the Cheng Shin tire line has been discontinued and will be removed from our site shortly. Since we don't have the Cheng Shin tires on your order available, I will tentatively cancel the order.

Damn. So what economy tire should I order instead of the Cheng Shin HiMax tire? The Avon Roadrider sounds good but it is almost $200 instead of $100. Darn it.