GS550E Identification - a little help required

[Guest]

Hi All

I have recently bought a GS550E that has been laid up for around 22 years. It only had 9000 on the clock and after a carb clean out it started and seems to run OK (based on a few short test runs).

One of the problems I'm having is trying to work out exactly the year and model, plus where it was originally manufactured for. The UK DVLA website shows it as first registered as '84 but since it may not have been a UK bike initially I suppose it could have been manufactured in 83'?

I have looked on http://www.suzukicycles.org/GS-series/GS550E.shtml but this just confuses me even further as my bike doesn't seem to consistently match the ones listed.

Hopefully someone can give a bit more info based on the pic below. There are more from the original eBay listing here... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Suzuki-GS5...p2047675.l2557


s-l1600.jpg

The frame number appears to be 148148 and the engine 237898.

Many thanks in advance.

David

[steveb922]

1982 GS550EZ I believe. UK model. I would guess that it stayed on a dealers floor for a while, as the 16-valve models were introduced in '83, then probably got sold at a discount in '84.

[Psycloud]

Ah thank you One of the things that has thrown me is the front mudguard, it has a small kick out on the bottom of the curve. Also this bike has anti-dive forks.

[steveb922]

Both correct for an '82 model. Also, as you mentioned in your other thread, B8ES are the correct spark plugs.

This parts list may help:

http://www.robinsonsfoundry.co.uk/shop/online-store/suzuki-parts-finder/gs/gs550/gs550z-ez-1982.htm?vehicle_id=235

[Psycloud]

Looks like you've nailed it! Thank you!

So far I have done the following (only got it on Monday)...

- Carbs / Jets cleaned (by a motor mechanic as I wasn't confident to do this)
- Brakes bled through with new fluid (previously front brake lever pulled all the way back to the bars)
- Oil & Oil filter changed
- Plugs changed
- Air filter sponge replaces (original had deteriorated and crumbled upon touching)
- New battery (no battery present)

So far I've spent £100 and it's now "running" however we'll see what the MOT says before I get too excited. Will give it a light clean in the next few days (chrome, engine covers and WD40 anything that looks rusty). I can't really give her a good run as can't get Tax until MOT has been done and a V5 issued (missing) which could take a month.

Thanks

David

Both correct for an '82 model. Also, as you mentioned in your other thread, B8ES are the correct spark plugs.

This parts list may help:

http://www.robinsonsfoundry.co.uk/sh...vehicle_id=235

[steveb922]

Good start. Be careful on those 22+ year old tyres!

Workshop manual here: http://zeus.mtsac.edu/~cliff/storage..._77-82_all.pdf

It's not immediately obvious, but all the info for your model is there.

[Psycloud]

Yes - the tyres are, errr, interesting. On the short runs I have cheekily done I noticed I could feel every tiny bit of grit on the road

What tyres would you recommend for the 550 (possibly for some UK touring and general 15 mile round trip commute?

Thank you for the links

Thanks

David

[GS1150Pilot]

Avon and Metzeler both make good tires for that model.