85 GS550L Bobber

[CPT America]

Looking badass CPT! Got the part# and link for that speedo? What is the ratio for our bikes?

Thanks Castle. I think our bikes speedo ratio is 1:4. Unfortunately I don't have the part # for the speedo. It's a Drag Specialties mini analog speedometer. They're plentiful on eBay, you'll just need to get one from someone who knows the ratio.

[atb1998]

Redneck, it is actually better to ride a rigid with you legs under versus splayed out front. Your legs take the road shock versus your back.The way his is set up is similar to mine. No back or knee problems at all. My ass just gets sore on long rides from my small seat, or my big ass. whichever

[CPT America]

52mm pods:




new Metz MU 90-16 wide white wall:




.....and I got the front brake issue resolved and now have a working front brake. Next step is to attempt to locate the front brake light switch wiring in the factory wiring harness so I don't have to tap the rear brake to get the brake light as I'm applying the front brake. I'll be prepping/painting the lower fork legs satin black in the next couple weeks, and getting a new headlight assembly in satin black too. More pics to follow.

[AF_Bill]

Too bad ya don't have a white wall front tire. But DAMN!!!!!!!!!!!!! If i were to cut my frame and hardtail it, mine would look very similar and white. Great job.

[CPT America]

Too bad ya don't have a white wall front tire. But DAMN!!!!!!!!!!!!! If i were to cut my frame and hardtail it, mine would look very similar and white. Great job.

Thanks!

I'm contemplating trying to drop a new motor/tranny setup in it after this riding season. I keep leaning toward picking up a bandit 600 motor/tranny and electrics and sticking it in there. I need to get ahold of someone with a bandit so I can get some measurements and look at the mounting point in relationship to my frame and also try and see how much of a PITA it'll be to get the sprockets lined up. I was about a half second away from buying an 05 Gixxer 600 motor and "figuring out" how to make it work, but decided I didn't want to just rush out and buy a motor until I'm sure it's worth doing. Although a gixxer 600 motor would be a lot of fun and probably catch a few folks off guard stoplight to stoplight.

[AF_Bill]

That would be really cool man. My dad actually has a complete 550L motor and trans (complete, outta the frame) he might sell if you're interested. I believe its out of a 78.

[mostholycerebus]

About the pods, did you just clamp them to the boots?

Can I ask what brand pods?

[CPT America]

About the pods, did you just clamp them to the boots?

Can I ask what brand pods?

They're the EMGO 52mm pods. I picked up 2 muffler pipe reducers from Autozone 2.5"-2" then cut off the excess. I trimmed the inside of my factory boots to smooth it out, then used an adhesive and muffler clamp to lock the reducer in place in the boot. After that I just slipped the pods on the reducers and clamped them in place. I am having issues now with starting it because the pods flow freely, but I've found if i wrap a shop towel around one pod to crank it then it's fine. I was just reading about trying to stuff some filter foam on the inside of the pod to add some restriction to it. I'll eaither try that or I'll pick up a set of K&N filter wraps and use it on the outside of the pods. I need to look at the vent hose situation too to see if I need to remove/reroute them as well. I wish K&N made a stage 3 jet kit for my bike.

[mostholycerebus]

I wish K&N made a stage 3 jet kit for my bike.

They do. I have an 85 L as well. K&N makes a stage 3 kit for the 83-85 GS550e, which is the identical TSCC 574cc engine and siamesed carbs as the GS550L. The reason they don't have it listed for the L is because the airbox, jetting, and exhaust is different on the stock L. This would make a difference in the stage 1 kit. However, stage 3 replaces jets and assumes pods + free flowing exhaust, which puts us on the same page as the GS550E AFAICT.

[CPT America]

They do. I have an 85 L as well. K&N makes a stage 3 kit for the 83-85 GS550e, which is the identical TSCC 574cc engine and siamesed carbs as the GS550L. The reason they don't have it listed for the L is because the airbox, jetting, and exhaust is different on the stock L. This would make a difference in the stage 1 kit. However, stage 3 replaces jets and assumes pods + free flowing exhaust, which puts us on the same page as the GS550E AFAICT.

I was meaning DynoJet. But I have a feeling that's what you're referring to. That rocks then! Off to source that kit. Thanks! $125.99 on DJ's website. Looks like I know where part of my paycheck on the 15th is going.

The pods were pretty easy and cheap to do. I think all total I have less than $25 in them.

[mostholycerebus]

Yeah, sorry. IIRC saw these somewhere for about $107? If you look at Bike Bandit or any other micro-fiche, you'll see that the part numbers for carbs and engine are pretty much identical. The jets are different because of different airbox style, and a few hoses. Because our exhaust isn't going to be a true 4-in-1 we still may need to tweak the kit a bit, but hopefully it will be a drop-in starting point. LMK how it works out for you!

[mostholycerebus]

I forgot to mention, re: engine upgrades, a couple of guys here have sucessfully bolted a 650 top end onto our 550 bottom. Actually a 674cc top end, effectively making the bike a 650+

Not an engine replacement, but pretty much bolt-on.

[CPT America]

I forgot to mention, re: engine upgrades, a couple of guys here have sucessfully bolted a 650 top end onto our 550 bottom. Actually a 674cc top end, effectively making the bike a 650+

Not an engine replacement, but pretty much bolt-on.

Awesome! Thanks. Yeah I wonder how much additional work is involved in that 650 top end, or if it's a true "bolt-on" and go setup? That might be a good option for my 550.