My work in progress...

[Shortbus]

Well this is my first post I think in the motorcycle forum here. I usually stick to the triples boards but I thought I would share what I've been working on for the last few months.

Little background. I bought this bike about 11 years ago for $60 and rode it about 2 years and the engine seized up, I guess the oil injection pump went bad and I didn't know it wasn't injecting oil until it was to late. I let it set in my parents garage up until about October of last year where I decided to fix it up and ride it again.

Anyway after scouring ebay, buying parts from michigan power sports suzi, and doing some barn raiding I ended up with everthing I needed to fix her back up.

So far I have about $450 invested and it runs like new. I completely rebuilt the engine and had bill bune rebuild my crank and put new seals in it. I ended up boring the block first over and putting new pistons, pins, and rings and small end bearings in. All new gaskets and seals on the waterpump, I had our radiator shop completely go through the radiator and restore it.

I glass bead blasted countless parts and repainted them.

Here is how it looks so far. The waterpump developed a leak so in the picture you can see the impellar wheel is laying under the engine. No big deal thats already been replaced.

I still have a lot of work to do, and a paintjob is on the agenda, a new seat and the list goes on.

Just thought I would share.



Here is the mess the engine was in. I never rebuilt one before but it wasn't to bad. Getting the block off was the toughest part.



Here is the bike partway tore down. While it was in this stage I installed tapered steering stem bearings and restored the instrument guage cluster and handlebar switches. I also blasted and painted the tree.



Well thats it, thought I would share what I've been up to lately.

John

[richtazz]

What a cool old bike. It's awesome that you've decided to repair/restore it. Liquid cooling on a 70's vintage 2 stroke, I forgot Suzuki built such a thing!! Keep up the good work, and keep us posted.

[jeffcoslacker]

Nice job! Good looking Water Buffalo

There was one for sale here with low miles and looked very good, he only wanted $1600 for it but it was gone before I could get over there

[Shortbus]

Well It's been complete for about a month now. The paintjob turned out great its hard to tell in the pics but its quite a different shade of blue with way more sparkle in it, I also took the front headlamp bucket off to get painted this time too. This winter I still have some work to do on it.

Mainly front fork seals, and a new seat. Some other odds and ends but it runs like a striped ass ape.

I wouldn't mind finding a T500 to do someday, this project has been quite a bit of fun and you don't see these on the road to often.

John

[richtazz]

AWESOME job!!! That is one bad arse bike. I like how you retained the basic factory color, but with a modern twist. I'd proudly ride beside that bike anyday!

[wrightz28]

Nice !

You know I can get deals on cars for 50, 75, up to $500 and be happy. I have yet to find a cheap good bike like that, any tips?

[knorwj]

Oh man I love it! what year is that? I have a early 70's gt550 sitting at home that I would love to rebuild just like you did to that one. They really are sharp bikes.

[Shortbus]

Its a 73 the second year they were out. They can be quite expensive to gather parts for since most of the good parts are obsolete. I had to scour ebay for months and months to get good used and NOS stuff.

I still have work to do the cones that go on the exhaust ends are well over 200 bucks just for 4 of them so I have been waiting for a good deal to come up. Patience is key with the old 2 strokes.

If you have a 550 sitting around I would definately go for restoring it. They are fun to ride and people aren't use to seeing them out on the street running.

John

[speediva]

It's BEAUTIFUL!!!