1978 GS 550 Project :)

[ChicagoBob]

Very nice! Fork brace fits right in.

[promking]

Adjusted the clutch able on Saturday, what a PITA to find a nice happy medium.

Put 100 miles on the bike yesterday she rode great.

Leaked a little bit of oil because the oil was over filled, dumbness on my part.
Front Caliper has been sticking, so I had to crack the bleeder and it freed up.

Other than that, couple of minor things and I think I'm done with her.


I wish my pipes were louder as I was riding with one of my good friends, and he has a Ducati 848 and all I heard was his bike lol

[tkent02]

Front Caliper has been sticking, so I had to crack the bleeder and it freed up.

This means the return port in the master cylinder is clogged. There is no other path for the fluid to come out of the caliper until you release the bleeder. The return port is tiny, and easily plugged with a minuscule particle of rust or dirt. Now the fluid from the caliper can't return to the MC. The brakes drag, heat builds up, the fluid expands applying the brake more, which causes more heat and more pressure, the wheel locks and down you go. It has happened to quite a few members here. The brake can completely lock up even if you never touch the brake lever.

The other possibility is a collapsed or clogged brake line, but that is not likely. It is almost always the clogged port, because the bikes are almost always neglected, the brake fluid never gets changed. Water collects in the fluid, steel parts rust, nasty sludge builds up in the system, things get clogged.

The entire system needs to be disassembled and cleaned, and then the fluid needs to be changed every year or so depending on your climate.

[OLDENUFF]

Bike looks great promking. I'd like to see that homemade lift in a little more detail.

[promking]

This means the return port in the master cylinder is clogged. There is no other path for the fluid to come out of the caliper until you release the bleeder. The return port is tiny, and easily plugged with a minuscule particle of rust or dirt. Now the fluid from the caliper can't return to the MC. The brakes drag, heat builds up, the fluid expands applying the brake more, which causes more heat and more pressure, the wheel locks and down you go. It has happened to quite a few members here. The brake can completely lock up even if you never touch the brake lever.

The other possibility is a collapsed or clogged brake line, but that is not likely. It is almost always the clogged port, because the bikes are almost always neglected, the brake fluid never gets changed. Water collects in the fluid, steel parts rust, nasty sludge builds up in the system, things get clogged.

The entire system needs to be disassembled and cleaned, and then the fluid needs to be changed every year or so depending on your climate.

Replace the Master? You think would best right, or a very good cleaning? I'm looking for a new master right now.



The old chopper I'm building is on the lift right now. I use a regular jack to lift it, i built a ramp, and it has steel support beams to lock in place when it's raised.

[ChicagoBob]

I'd check Mike's XS and take a look at their new MCs. That's what I use.

Or you could buy my old one, pictured below, for $50 shipped. I didn't rebuild it, but I replaced the brake fluid and rode with it for about 6 months after I bought the bike.

It has a new brake light switch, which I was never able to adjust correctly.

[cowboyup3371]

Unless you are replacing it with a brand spanking new MC make sure you thoroughly clean it out

[Nightcrawler]

I like the orange a lot, looks sweet. Also the black headlight is a nice tie in to the rest of the scheme, what are you doing about a front fender?

[promking]

I like the orange a lot, looks sweet. Also the black headlight is a nice tie in to the rest of the scheme, what are you doing about a front fender?

Thank you don't plan on running a front fender. I wish I could find a little mini one though.


I'd check Mike's XS and take a look at their new MCs. That's what I use.

Mike XS said No good

So I'll be taking apart my front master tonight to see if I can give it a good clean.

Also noticed an oil leak... It seems to be coming from either the chain tensioner or the oil pressure switch. After a short ride it a little oil runs down the starter cover and trickles down the side.

[240punk]

If you're not going to run a front fender, I suggest at least running some kind of brace.
And if not, I highly recommend pulling your fork tube and turning down the fender mounts. That seriously ruins a bike in my eyes. Love the orange though.

[promking]

If you're not going to run a front fender, I suggest at least running some kind of brace.
And if not, I highly recommend pulling your fork tube and turning down the fender mounts. That seriously ruins a bike in my eyes. Love the orange though.

I have a Taraozzi Fork Brace installed.

[promking]

New Mini Blinkers installed, and got my new Helmet.

I got my throttle cables finally from Blvd Suzuki, but I believe one is wrong.
I got 58300-47001 and 58300-47x00
One has a plastic end, the other has a metal, the metal one seems to be wrong like it's to skinny to thread into where the cables attaches to at the throttle.
I also solved a little oil leak I was having. I noticed after a ride, I'd come to a stop and put the kick stand down and oil would pour down the side of the engine into the starter cover... well I resealed and torqued the oil pressure switch , and after the first ride the problem seems to have gone away.

[promking]

lol someone asked to buy my bike on the spot, and I don't have any idea on value, what would you guys say this bike is worth?
26,000 miles. 1979 GS 550E

[promking]

On a mission today to " change " the exhaust. It's way to quiet, I don't like the way it looks...

I'm trying to find a 4 into 1 pipe, used to new. Striking out so far, most of what I can find is for other GS models.



I don't mind this exhaust from dimecity, it's 51 bucks, was thinking about running the stock header pipes and two of these. Also wrapping the factory pipes for that heat wrap look.

[promking]

Mocked up the new exhaust last night, started to cut and fit. Just layed it in last night and took a pic. Local motorcycle shop had these in the back for 39.99 each so I picked up two and some beautiful stainless clamps.
I plan on picking up some tan exhaust heat wrap and wrapping the pipes up till the exhaust.