New Bike! First Ride on my 80 Suzuki 550 (GS550L) | AllTheBikes

I picked up this 80 Suzuki 550 (GS550L) cheap as a project bike and I have been working on it for a little while and she is getting close to being road ready. So I thought this would be a good time to do a "first ride video" and introduce everyone to bike. She is definitely a vintage bike and owning one has its challenges but I'll be doing my best for her.

[@pseltoro4]

I bought one of these brand new in the crate 1981. I liked the bike but it always amazed me of the lack of torque.

[@AllTheBikes]

I believe that in this video, 1 cylinder was not firing. That is why it felt like it had less power than it did. Once I got it firing the bike was much better. Still not a power house but it felt like it had the power it was supposed to have. ;)

[@garywinterbottom6073]

These engines have rollerball bearings on the crankshaft as far as I know and are very strong engines.

[@richardshannon2440]

I am original owner of a 1980 GS550L.&k miles. Your bike is running lean. Need to go up 2 sizes main jet. Also the L model has longer forks and raked frame and fatter tires.

[@RRRRefuelRideRace]

Very nice 80-is Suzuki. I like it. If I would you, I would keep it like it is, more or less standard. Thumb up. :)

[@AllTheBikes]

Thanks, just trying to turn this old bike into a daily... ;)

[@RRRRefuelRideRace]

@@AllTheBikesSooner or later it will be. Great.;)

[@bubnjaricsbv]

cool bike, old school I like it!!

[@AllTheBikes]

Thanks bro!, I like fixin' up the old bikes! ;)

[@rickconstant6106]

I bought a 1980 GS550L a year ago to use as a winter runabout, but it's such a nice bike to ride that I've been using it all year round. Mine is a UK model, so it has twin discs on the front (I never could understand why they only put a single disc on US models). Did you bleed the front brake after installing the caliper? I'm surprised that you were still having issues with air in the system.
Maybe I misheard, but it sounded like you said the gear indicator showed all the way up to 5th gear - I'm sure you've realised by now that it has a 6-speed box, and it should display all 6.
As for the torque, mine doesn't have much low down (certainly not compared to my 78 Triumph Bonneville 750). It will pull smoothly from about 2500 rpm, but if you want better acceleration, you need to rev it to 5000 or higher. I've had mine easily to 80mph on the open road, and it was still pulling strongly, but that was as fast as I wanted to go. It took me a bit of work on the carburettors - stripping, cleaning, synchronising, making small adjustments to the mixture settings, then checking the plugs, to get them performing as they should, and maybe that was the issue you were having.
I hope you've got it running as you want it by now.

[@AllTheBikes]

I'm not sure about the 6 gear thing. Its been awhile since I rode that bike but I thought it was a 5 speed. I this video, I think she was running on 3 cylinders. Thats why she felt weird to me. I did have this bike running pretty well for about 3 months but thats when things took a turn for the worst. She developed a charging issue. She would run fine till the battery voltage got low. So, I decided to change the stator and regulator. So I naturally changed the oil after installing the stator. I stripped the oil pan at the plug, replaced that pan, developed issues with the starter. When I went to remove the starter, I did not know it at the time but, I removed the "cam chain tensioner" to get to starter cover off and now I think she is out of time. I plan on taking the engine out this winter, and since I have to get her in time anyway, might as well rebuild her. I loved riding this bike but It will be awhile before she is back on the road. I'm not giving up on her though. Ride safe bro, take care of that bike. ;)

[@rickconstant6106]

@@AllTheBikes I must admit, it did worry me to see you using that long breaker bar on the drain plug in the oil change video. It's fairly simple to check cam timing - once you've taken valve cover and points (or ignition rotor) cover off, you can see if the cam sprocket marks and the T 1/4 mark on the rotor are all in alignment. Arrow marked 3 on inlet sprocket and arrow 2 on exhaust should be vertical and 19 chain links apart (aligned with 20th pin, starting count at 1), with arrow1 on exh sprocket pointing straight forward in line with top surface of head.
Mine had a few minor issues I've had to deal with, but I'm a retired mechanic, so that didn't bother me, and it's been worthwhile. I hope you can get yours sorted out.

[@AllTheBikes]

I just saw some old footage of me riding the 550L and it is a 6 speed. You were right ;)

[@joshmahurin9166]

How was the oil

[@AllTheBikes]

It was pretty dirty. Looked like it had not been changed in a very long time! You got one of these?