1985 GSX550 Rebirth and rolling restoration.

[Stelmer]

Hi,

Back in August I got a GSX550. Jamie kindly offered to pick it up from Liverpool for me and do some work to it.

It's history is slightly complicated and hard to explain so here goes:

The bike used to be a 1983 model but the frame was so bad. The last owner bought a broken up bike, with a powder coated frame, logbook and current MOT.

He then basically rebuilt this frame using the 1983 bike as a donor vehicle.

Here is what it looked like when Jamie collected it.

https://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v309/21/74/734994082/n734994082_1213364_8026.jpg

https://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v309/21/74/734994082/n734994082_1213365_8414.jpg

It cost £400 came with spares and like any old bike, it had more hidden underlying issues.

The idea was to repaint the bike and have Jamie fix most of the known mechanical issues.

The painting turned out to be a nightmare due to the amount of damage on the plastics and paint problems. Most of the mechanical issues were not dealt with.

https://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v321/21/74/734994082/n734994082_1236142_3436.jpg

Upon collecting it, someone must have been looking over me as on a test ride I got a puncture. Cue waiting for the AA for hours in Wales...

It turned out that it had the wrong size tires on it, the wheel bearings were shot, brakes were on the verge of seizing due to the dust seals missing and the forks were leaking.

I also found a nightmare of electrical gremlins caused by corroded bullet connectors and rather shoddy repair work over the years. All this has now been sorted, for now using 15a heat shrinkable inline crimps as solder would not stick to the wires.

The carbs were also overhauled. A detailed clean and renew of everything rubber fixed them. I still need to balance them and adjust the choke.

I also replaced the plastics.

Here's what it looks like with the new bodywork:

https://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v338/21/74/734994082/n734994082_1381634_1521.jpg

Faring has now been removed. It broke when getting it off to do the forks. I plan to put a headlight & Indis from a Bandit 400 on for now until I find a faring. I could do with a new seat too.

Brakes have been removed and sent away for refurbishment.

Here's a video of what it sounds like, needs balancing and the choke setting properly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75ciEY9Wfhs

Still to do:

Headlight and indis, fit calipers and then MOT time

Oh, i've got some nice, tarty blue braided hoses as well which I got from Busters.

[MaybeGuy]

£400????????????????????
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Blue_SV650S wrote: it was a sh1te wheelie, but it proves that he can get it up in 3rd and can do angles. In summery, mattsprattuk is a gobby little sh1tebag, dopehead tw4t, but sadly for all of us, he probably isn't THAT full of sh1te!!
Kickstart wrote: Hi I tend to agree with Matt. All the best Keith

[Stelmer]

Slightly overpriced

Kept it to tinker with and now it's almost legal. It runs well and if anyone were to nick it, they'd get a surprise as it has no brakes

I don't keep the battery in it as knowing the law, I would probably be blamed if someone hurt themselves

[Jamie S]

Post the new pictures ste, with the Bandit headlight.

[Stelmer]

Not the best pics. I need a new camera.

Here's what it looks like with Matthirst's bandit 400 headlight on. Still need indis putting back on and I have some better brackets on order thanks to Sickpup.

I'll cut down the gaitors too.

https://photos-b.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v1048/21/74/734994082/n734994082_1683961_7791.jpg


https://photos-c.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v1048/21/74/734994082/n734994082_1683962_8671.jpg[/i]

[Stelmer]

It's almost done.

Brakes are sorted and work way better than before. Tempted to paint the mudguard all black for now as it'll match the forks.

MOT is booked for Jan 2nd. Castle Honda in Castleford if anyone knows it.

Need to get a new key cut and a new throttle as I bust them...



https://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1709/21/74/734994082/n734994082_1775229_7749.jpg

https://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1709/21/74/734994082/n734994082_1775235_1729.jpg

[metal ken]

Nice it's looking real good
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My motorbike breakers metalken.co.uk

Current bikes, GSXR750 Fighter, GSXR7/12, RD350 race rep, KH400

[Stelmer]

Grrrr just noticed something when checking the tyre pressures:

Is this a fail? There's a little chip in the wheel:

https://i74.servimg.com/u/f74/13/34/36/73/29122011.jpg

[Kickstart]

Hi

Would say it shouldn't be as it is a very minor chip and doesn't appear to be affecting the sealing surface of the wheel. But the MOT tester could choose to say it is a fail.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Stelmer]

Cheers for that. Least it has a possibility of passing.

I'll just have to see what happens on Friday. Can't wait to ride it there as i've not been on the bike for a long time.

[Stelmer]

It failed.

Engine bolts are missing

I've found some on CMS. Hopefully they'll turn up before the 10 working Day limit.

[torpedo]

The engine bolts were missing? LOL.

tbf ive taken a bike just built to an MOT to find out the engine was loosely bolted in (my dad was dealing with getting the engine bolts in seems he only finger tightened them lol) luckily i knew the tester and he let me get a spanner out and do them up lol.

its hard not to notice now i know really, you can feel the bloody engine jumping around when its not done up right lol.

best bit was how the mot tester found out when he tried to jack the bike up from under the engine, and the engine just lifted up and the bike stayed still LOL...
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GS 500 E ...... and i like it

[Stelmer]

I could just picture the engine lifting up and nothing else...

My bike has 2 main bolts at the back and several little captive nut and bolts around the engine.

The one missing was the main 7.6" long one at the front, hidden behind the exhausts... . There is no way the engine would fall out...

[hmmmnz]

you'd probably be able to pick up a bolt at b and q and have the bike sorted tomorrow

nice progress
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the humans are dead
I kick arse for the lord
Wiring Diagrams BIDNIP it bitches

[torpedo]

[Stelmer]

It passed!!!!!

[Stelmer]

Since my last post the bike has had:


Heated Grips fitted.
Rear Shock Replaced.
Rocker Cover fixed.
Reg Rec replaced.
Main wiring replaced.
New Spark Plugs.
New Coils.

To do:

Weld, sand and paint the exhaust.
Repaint the front mudguard.
Attempt to locate the original complete faring in Blue/White.
Replace speedo with one that has a working odometer.
Replace Instrument gauge housing.


It's a running restoration now which will probably never be finished.

[Ichy]

FWIW

I have an original front fairing in my garage, brand new, never used. Unfortunately its still in original black, no paint at all. Just keep it in mind in case you find a use for it.
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https://www.metacafe.com/watch/1972097/how_to_behave_on_a_forum/

[Scouse]

When will you buy a bike that doesn't need meddling with?

[Stelmer]

[Stelmer]

Faring fitted. It took ages to get the gap round the headlight to look even. It now does and looks miles better in real life than it does in the pic.

https://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs109.snc1/5087_104879979082_734994082_2771696_4340336_n.jpg

I need a screen, side pannels, stickers and the paint code for the White/Blue colour scheme.

[Ichy]

Good to see it being put to some use. Let me know when your ready for a ride out, bet my backfire is louder than yours
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https://www.metacafe.com/watch/1972097/how_to_behave_on_a_forum/

[wizzzard]

Getting there matey
Cant be of much use screen wise but let me know when you want it attacking with some spray paint
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And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage?
Zeitgeist / Addendum / Moving forward

[Stelmer]

[Stelmer]

Apologies, those interesed in this at being over a year late...

Anyhow, update on this now:

5 out of 8 headers were helicoiled. I can vouch that they work and if you strip one, it is not a loss. Just buy a kit matching the bolt thread and job done.

Rear wheel replaced, had an accident with a drill whilst removing the disk.

Discs replaced.

Fusebox and reg rec rewired.

Coil replaced.

Iridium Plugs fitted.

Oil Hoses replaced. Still looses oil though.

Bodywork now complete:

Before:
https://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs162.snc1/6080_114713489082_734994082_2964813_566717_n.jpg


After:
https://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs101.ash2/38384_443147229082_734994082_6039350_1437414_n.jpg

The mileage is a little over 49500 now. I did look at the carb settings and decided that it prefers to run slightly rich for some reason.

I was going to sell the bike and get a Trail orientated bike for fun but serious family illness prevents that now.

Also:
I have a brand new, clear Double Bubble screen for a 98/99 ZX6-R G for sale, £30 if anyone wants it. Was in the box with my screen.