Bought a new cycle - Kind of 1978 Suzuki GS550E

My wife decided to stock up on Karma a few weeks ago. On a Saturday morning while on he way back from the gas station with coffee, she noticed there was a welder for sale at a rummage sale. Knowing that I missed using her step-dad's welder, she mentioned that we should take a look. I nearly jumped past her to get to the car, forgetting to get the dogs into their kennels. We got the dogs put away and while driving to the rummage, she said "I think the guy is also selling a motorcycle, but you CAN'T look at it". Probably because we already have two in the garage, both of which have yet to run this year.

We get there and it is a like new Craftsmen mig welder on a cart, with two gloves, a mask, and a set of tips, $200 firm. So we picked it up, no questions asked. The thing still had the $399.00 sticker on top. While my wife was at the bank, the guy and I started talking about the bike and when she got back we were mid discussion about the work required to get it running. She leaned into the conversation and reminded me that I still owe my brother a cycle due to a previous debt. Her reasoning was that rather than give him the XJ that I've had since we met, he and I could work on the bike while he gets his motorcycle endorsement. Not bad f I say so myself. So I have a $100 20,000 mile bike in my garage waiting for some work. I'll post pictures when I get the camera out to the garage. Anyone have experience with this model? I've heard it is pretty bulletproof aside from the charging system. Can't wait for the winter project!!

 

The most unbreakable engine ever made. And that's saying a LOT considering the entire GS line of engines were built like like battleships.

 

If it's like the one I had, it went like s--t off a stick & all I ever did was clean it & put gas in.

 

I think they even have basically the same Mikuni carbs the 550 Yamahas have. (BS28's.) If that's TRUE, then you know where to get carb parts.

 

An the GS's are the bikes that evolved into the Katanas ... sooooooo

 

Totally different, they don't run a CV type carb, local guys here have fitted GS550 carbs as a performance upgrade when racing the XJ550

They are a round slide carb with the slide mechanically activated

 

Although the picture is a bit blurry, that is basically the bike. I've dug around a bit for a suzuki forum, but unfortunately haven't found one that can compare to xjbikes.com.

I've been a bit busy and distracted with house work, my wife decided it was time to start remodeling the kitchen, so I haven't had much time to work on the GS550, but I did buy a front tire for the XJ and might actually get it out and on the road before fall!

Thanks for the confirmation that the GS is a solid engine and bike platform. I'll keep you posted as I get work done.

Bob

 

Partially true. In the USA, they had slide-valve carbs when first released in 1978; by 1982 or so they were coming with CV carbs (here anyway.)
The bike in question, being a '79, probably does have the mechanical-slide carbs; I don't know when the change occurred exactly.

 

http://www.thegsresources.com

Perhaps the template for which all marque-enthusiast sites should be judged.