Gallery
Gallery
Here's the piccies of my GT special, what do you
think? Timing definately needs sorting, it's fine starting and ticks over in a fashion but
once on the move it's very, very woolly feeling if you know what I mean, not crisp like it
was before! I didn't really want to have to buy a strobe just for one job but as I need to
sell it looks like that's the only way of getting it set up right. I'm putting it on ebay
tonight so need to sort it sooner rather than later, assuming it sells of course?
Cheers,
Steve
PS Hope you're on broadband as these pics might take a while to download!!
Well worth the download Steve, it's a beauty! - yes I am on Broadband - so let's have your pics and vids too please!
Hi Clive, my name is Reg Johnston. I am 48 yrs old and live in Benalla in sunny Victoria, Australia. Right near a great race circuit called Winton. I have been out at a round of the Australian superbike series today and going again tomorrow. Just surfing the net as have recently acquired a GT550 in poor condition. Needs pistons and a crank. All the chrome is good except for L hand side headlight bracket and the forks are not that good either. It's a 74 model I think as it has the chrome covers on forks. I love all the gt range as I had a 250 and a 500(both bought new ) when I was in my teens. I now have 2 1976 500s, a 76 gt750B bottle and now the 550. Great to see your site and yes all of these bikes were and still are very underrated even though we who rode them know different. I'll attach a pic of my 750 (hope to get original tank painted and back on it soon)and 1 of the 550 as it was when I picked it up.It's in pieces now but I might take some pics of it and keep you posted.
Please feel free to drop me a line any time although by the look of your site you are
probably very busy.
As I said, grew up with these bikes. 3 of my mates had 550 s. Always had a soft spot for
them. I have a family with 3 kids and just can't afford a Moto guzzi 1000 S which would
probably be my ultimate bike. No new repli racers for me. I like to see a motor when
looking at a bike. All the new ones these days look the same. I'm sorry to hear that you
banged yourself up. I just
happened to see your site the other night and was impressed with all the 550 pics,
especially the dark green one. Is that a stock/original colour over there? None came out
here like that. Met a couple of fellas out the races today who may be able to help me with
parts for the 550. Regards. Reg.
Reg - you've got your work cut out with the 550 - so we'll forgive the kettle.... lol......
Keep us posted with your progress matey!
Clive,
This is my GT185A 1976. I bought it in 2000. It was advertised on Cycletrader. I called
the guy and drove from North Carolina thru Virginia, West Virginia and finally Lake View
Ohio (just outside Columbus) about a 12 hour drive. I stayed the night in a hotel in
Columbus and then went to pick the bike up. It was in perfect condition. All I did was put
new rubber on it and for kicks I had it bored out to 216cc with pistons from ProX racing.
going to a 14 -34 gearing set up gave me just over 90mph. It's very sensitive to weight or
wind though. speed drops to 75mph with a passenger, 80 with just me sitting up and about
93-95 tucked in (which is awkward if I don't have the Ace Bars fitted is awkward, It just
fine with them though.
Oh I did spend a lot of time polishing the engine with Solvol Autosol.
Chas, it was worth the polishing time - those cases look pristine - personally I use a polishing mop. Any good polishing tips anyone - how do you keep the cases shiny?
HI CLIVEY HERE'S A PIC OF MY GT380 B MODEL FIRST REGISTERD 1979 STILL NEED'S ALOT DOING BUT FIRST AND FORMOST MUST GET IT RUNNING HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME THANK'S.I'M HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY GT 380 I DON'T SEEM TO BE ABLE TO GET PETROL THROUGH TO THE PLUG'S I'VE HAD CARB'S OUT AND CLEANED JET'S ETC. MORE TIME'S THAN I CAN MENTION GOOD SPARK AT PLUG'S AND POINT'S GOOD COMPRESSION IF I HAD A REALLY BIG HAMMER I AM SURE I WOULD DO SOMETHING SILLY HA HA. BY THE WAY NICE BIKE YOU GOT THERE AND I LIKE THE PIC'S OF THE OTHER BIKE'S AS WELL , I'M FROM LEED'S PLEASE DON'T MENTION THE FOOTBALL TEAM I'VE BEEN DOING THIS BIKE FOR ABOUT 8 MONTH'S NOW RECLAIMED FROM A BARN NOT A NICE SIGHT WHEN I GOT IT LOOK'S QUIET REASONABLE NOW,BUT JUST NEED A TWO STROKE FIX NOW WELL YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN , I RIDE A 600 BANDIT BUT WOULD LIKE THIS BIKE UP AND RUNNING FOR THE SUMMER I WOULD BE VERY GRATEFULL IF YOU COULD POSSIBLY POINT ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION I WILL SEND A COUPLE OF PIC'S AS SOON AS I FATHOM OUT HOW TO USE YOUR SITE, NOT THAT GOOD ON THE COMPUTER ,YOUR'S HOPEFULLY STEVE.(JABBA NICK NAME) I'LL GO INTO THAT LATER .
We'll see what we can do Steve - we'll start by teaching you how to switch the Caps Lock off - lol- I'm not going to retype I'm afraid....
I'd suggest you start at the fuel tap, if it flows from there (on PRIME not ON - it's operated by engine vacuum) then have a look at the fuel rail. I would always suggest you start a GT after a layup with the tap on PRIME...
hi just a few pics of my gt380 99% finished, is
there any chance anybody will know what battery i will need its 1976/77
cheers andy
Not off the top of my head my friend - pop onto the forum, I betcha someone will have the answer!
Hi Clivey
As the bike came out of the garage this morning thought i would send you a couple of pics,
the first one is the picture that was on ebay, thats all i saw before i got here, the
other 3 are what she is like now..........after about 10 months in the garage.
pretty much all original with the exception of braided hoses and the paint colour, which
is the BMW Mini colour Hyper Blue.....
Getting parts has been a nightmare, i have spent so long waiting and waiting, very
frustrating. Still once the mot is done i`ve got another one sat in the garage to start
on, not sure yet if its a M or a A but, hey who cares, i just cant wait to get started,
this ones got straight bars, full electronic ignition and a 3 into 1 piper, and its
loud.....
Just been talking to a couple of guys from your neck of the woods, didnt tell me there
names though, they belong to the solent motorcycle club, or somthing like that, theres a
rally in one of the local villages every year an they all desend on the local pub, which
also happens to be one of the best curry houses in Oxford, which is why i was there,
Saturday night takeaway !!!
They all camp out on the village green, plenty of curry and plenty of beer, the guys that
run the pub/resturant love this weekend there takings go through the roof...you would love
it, if your into ralleys, get your bum up here next year !!!!! be nice to meet you...
Speak soon
all the best
Derek
That's a lovely rich Blue Derek - and I have no issues with Car Colours - mine's Rover Charcoal Metallic!
Butt we must sort a GT rally out - how many can we get together...?
Hello,
I have a restored 1975 Suzuki GT550 I am in desperate need to know where the engine number
for this bike is located. I am trying to get my title but the state says the number I gave
them was not it. I found the number on the case on the front of the bike where it splits
but the number says gt550 thats it. I have attached some photos that I took could you
please help me with this.
Also there are two drain plugs under the bike do
you know what they are for I know the one was for the oil but i don't know what the other
is for. I have the original manual for the bike but it does not say anything about this
stuff.
Thank you for your time,
Mike
Another gleaming GT - I must get my polishing kit out! I believe you've got your answers off the forum too....
G'Day Clivey,
Attached are some photo's of my new GT550 - I think I've got my work cut out for me and no
wonder the missus is grumpy. If you'v got a map of australia I found this bike (it is
complete with tank and seat) on a farm about 300 km's north west of Port Augusta - it cost
me a carton of beer. I also own a GT380 which I asked a question on your forum about. For
your interest I broke the timing gear on that bike whilst drag racing at Mildura last
easter - it was interesting that the 380 was up against 1200 Harleys (*not much
competition once you've suffocated them with 2 stoke smoke - because they always seem to
be behind you) over the 8th mile strip the 380 would run 8.3 - 8.5 seconds (ET 82 MPH)
pretty impressive for a 35 year old 2 Stoke - My plan for the 550 is to race it as well.
If yor interested I will keep you updated with improvement pics. I live in a small town
(300 people) about 200 miles north of Adelaide - interestingly in town we have another GT
enthusiast - he has a concourse restored 380K and a 550K.
Cheers
Greg McIntyre
Suddenly - mine doesn't seem do bad! You've got your work cut out my friend - interestingly - that's the second GT I've seen with GS wheels....
Buy your wife some choccies - and if that doesn't work then just savour the peace and quiet....
I did a complete restore on this '74 GT550 during
the harsh Canadian winter. If you would post the pics to the Gallery,
that would be great!
I should add, I am from Morden, Manitoba, Canada
I look forward to seeing them on the site
Cheers,
Rick in Canada
Thanks Rick - it's great to see the "Work in Prgress" pics as well as the final, gleaming, result!
Hi Clivey,
Hello all from Texas!!! Just found this site and glad to see it. Well don't have the long
time memories of the GT550, but found this one and fell in love. First found a GT380 and
was about to buy it, but then found a 550 and that was IT!It's a '73 gt550K. Its in barn
condition and has been sitting since 1984. new to the whole 2-stroke triple world. I just
fell in love with the GT. its got 8300 miles on it. and is going to be sweet! I can't wait
to take her out on the road and hear that triple screaming.
Looking forward to lots of help on the refurb job. Thanx!
Brandon(MadKaw)
my other bikes are a KX500 and my Harley Sportster1200
--
Father...the Sleeper has awaken!!!
Brandon, she looks solid! As for the other bikes - the Kawa's great (I still have green blood) but as for the 'tater?
I'll forgive you as you're a GT man too, and a 'Dune' fan too, lol....
Just thought i would send you a pic of gt185A model 1976 that i had but sold a couple of month's ago, yes i know it hasn't got original tank on but this tank was as cheap as chip's so decided to buy it and put it on the new owner said he was going to put her back to original.
Nice little GT - shame you don't have it anymore - I'm just about to collect a 185 and a 250 - in pieces, and I may need help with the restoration...
Well, that's another page filled - sorry if I took a while to update yours, but I'm lazy.....
....and I've got a GT in the Garage that keeps calling me to go outside and play.
Please keep your pics and letters coming, I'm gonna start a database of numbers - I think the time is rapidly approaching that we sort this small community into an owners club!
Mail me to talk
about your GT, or ask me a question, even send me a pic! 
Why not log onto the GT550 forum - it's
fun and free! 
