First Street Bike Project - with a few questions

[Flyboy]

Looks like you getting stuck right into it and making headway there.
Yes, it looks like the PO did a real job on the wiring harness there, no matter, there are more than enough folks here that are wise in the ways of things electrical, and will jump in any time to help out, all you will need is a multimeter and some patients, and you will have it sorted in no time.
Keep the updates coming.

[morrison]

Looks good. As long as you are not color blind you and a wiring diagram will go hand in hand. Also, dont forget to take the foil of them bad fuses. lol

[Sci85]

Ok, need a little advice from the experts...

When I originally bought this bike, my intention was just to get it running good then sell it for some some profit. I actually bought two bikes for the winter. One being a dirt bike (which i'm very familiar with) and the other being this street bike. Well, after spending time on this forum, I've been inspired to keep the Suzuki and try and rebuild it back to factory spec (with a few upgrades for safety/comfort). However, first I've got to talk my wife into letting me do that and two, I've got to figure out some idea of what this may end up costing as I didn't set aside a large budget for this one.

So, in your expert opinions, given the pics I've posted so far and assuming no major engine work, what would you guys budget for a rebuild like this rough and tuff?

Thanks for the input...

Sci85

[Sci85]

A little more progress...Went and got some buckets and zippies and sharpies today. Still trying to figure out the buffing and polishing skills using the carb tops and bowls. Having so so results at this point. Will keep trying though.



Worked on stripping her down some more. There were a lot of disconnected wires in the headlamp bucket. Man, someone just completely jacked with the wiring on this thing. I think I may have to spend a lot of time and effort re-wiring.

Found these little rusted jems under the bolt caps..


Notice the disconnected and cut wires...there were about 4 more hidden in here!


Somebody's idea of a wiring job...


I don't think this was factory hehe...


Headlamp out and ready for more disassembly. Looks like i have more work to do on the gauge cluster. Pretty messy back there.


MNF tonight so no work this evening.

Sci85

[Flyboy]

Sci, nice to see you making progress there, and that you have decided to hang on to the bike, those really are great little bikes, and not that many around, so a good one should be worth a bit, I would think.
Sorry, I can't help you with a guesstimate on cost, as I am on the other side of the pond, all I know is, you buggers get bikes and parts there so cheap it should be criminal. I guess a few hundred should do it, off the top of my head, sure someone will jump in and correct me.

The wiring does look like a rats nest, nothing you can't sort out with a multi meter and some patience.
Keep up the good work and the updates coming.

[7981GS]

Those carbs are looking sweet.

Daniel

[Sci85]

Yeah, I have more work to do on the carbs. Not anywhere as shiny as Renobruce produces but I'm going to learn one way or another. I like shiny haha.

Going to get some sandpaper tomorrow and work some more on the disassembly. Thanks for all the encouragement. Will need it now that it's getting much colder here now.

I hope I can get the bike back to close to factory under $500. I think that will depend on if I have to pay someone to paint the tank, fender and side panels...

[Sci85]

More disassembly...

Nothing much exciting to post except more work on the tear down. So far, nothing looks too major. The wiring is a mess. I may just go with a new loom if I can still get one at a reasonable cost. I'm a little worried about the header bolts. A couple look really bad...anyway, making good progress given my other time commitments.



Sci85

[GateKeeper]

Keep at it......it's getting there...

[Sci85]

Thanks. I'm trying to take the advice I read somewhere on hear to try and do something no matter how minor each day. Tonight I was sitting in the bleachers watching my sons wrestling meet though. I didn't even get to look at it this evening haha.

Is it just me or does the top subframe rails appear higher on this M model than the same year L? I figured the frames would be the same but maybe not?

Sci85

[GateKeeper]

Hey all I did was wire wheel the frame, then took some sandpaper to it, wiped it down, and next thing you know, I am about ready to paint the frame, and I didn't even feel like working on the bike tonight....

Funny how things work out sometime....

[Radtad]

Nice work, I have mine in the kitchen and redoing some things on it as well. I keep motivated by it being in there and the wife having to work around it some LOL. Best of luck on the rebuild.

[Tim Tom]

Is it just me or does the top subframe rails appear higher on this M model than the same year L? I figured the frames would be the same but maybe not?

Sci85

M and L bikes have different frames. In fact all L bikes have different frames than their E, M, or G counterparts. The rear sub-frame is different to cater to the lower stepped seat fender that gives the L it's "custom" appearance.

[Sci85]

Good info to know. Thanks Tim Tom! Now, back to sanding...

Sci85

[B-rent]

I picked up my 82 gs550m about 2 months ago. I am jealous that you get to customize your bike more than I did, although I love it being in mostly original shape. I'm not a huge fan of the tiny signal lights that the po put on there, but I'm looking for something else to fit on there.

I have looked at bikebandit.com website for different things and have seen the gas tank emblem available. Here is the website:

http://www.bikebandit.com/1982-suzuki-gs550mz/o/m6087#sch267518

It seems like they are in stock still, but you could probably have someone make you the same thing for cheaper.

The compression on my bike is around 115-125 and it seems to run just fine, it has around 2100 miles or so. The choke lever is mounted on the left side handlebar just underneath the light switch and horn button. The choke on mine pulls very easily. I lubed the cable and all the choke related parts on the carburetors too, which helped a lot.