other engine for 550 E

['79gsowner]

After closer inspection of my recently purchased Gs 550 I found that the bike wasn't what I had been told it was. About a week ago I was trying to figure out where an oil leak was and found out that the exhaust pipes and possibly the engine are off of a 550 L, but the frame is from a 550 E. Now I have a real problem, I dont know what year the engine is, I do know that the frame is a '79 so I am left wondering, what other engine fits a 550 E frame.

[tkent02]

E and L engines are the same, post up a pic of what you have.

[headsbikesmopars]

Yes the L and E engines are the same. Also 1977 up thru 1982 the 550's were pretty much the same engine. To varify look at the lower front of the cylinder and it should have a 549 cm cast in the cylinder if it is indeed a 550.

Terry

[Larry D]

Why do you think the exhaust and engine are from an "L". What did you see ?

['79gsowner]

Why do you think the exhaust and engine are from an "L". What did you see ?

well, the exhaust pipes say on the side that they are for an L model, which leads me to believe that the engine is also from an L model

[Einstein]

As said, the E and L engines are identical, the pipes are not.. L is shorter.

There was a big change late 79 early 80, where the kick starter was removed, and replaced by a higher capacity charging system..
Other than that, the rest is just cosmetic.


John

[Nessism]

In 1980 the engine was changed in the following ways:

- VM carbs were discontinued and CV type adopted so the cylinder head intake ports were increased in diameter to match the larger throat on the CV carbs
- Breaker points replaced with electronic ignition and a seperate Regulator and Rectifier was replaced with a combined R/R unit - charging system capacity is same as before
- Kick starter was eliminated

[mike_of_bbg]

Just took a look at your album.

Chrome rear and front fenders.
Leading axle.
Buckhorn bars.
You said that had an "L" exhaust on it.

That, sir, sure looks like an L you've got there. As noted, the engines from 77-82 will swap, regardless of the particular model. If you go to look up the stats, the HP rating is just barely lower on the L models I think merely because of the exhaust. It's not an engine difference.

[tkent02]

That, sir, sure looks like an L you've got there. As noted, the engines from 77-82 will swap, regardless of the particular model. If you go to look up the stats, the HP rating is just barely lower on the L models I think merely because of the exhaust. It's not an engine difference.

Yep, 100% pure L.

['79gsowner]

thanks a lot everyone, now I know what I really got, but I've got one question, why is it that when I put the rear foot pegs down they rub on the exhaust pipes?

[79FiveFifty]

mine are very close to the exhaust, but not quite touching. Yours may have been used by somebody to board the bike as a passenger, and simply bent them down.

['79gsowner]

mine are very close to the exhaust, but not quite touching. Yours may have been used by somebody to board the bike as a passenger, and simply bent them down.

well, upon further inspection, you are right, the left side foot peg was rewelded and the right side foot peg is bent downward