1980 Suzuki GS550E Restoration Part 1

[@MrHfeet1]

Where can I find this beautiful playlist?

[@wyattgoins6313]

Did you ever pick back up onto this restoration. I recently bought one of these for 300 bucks and need some knowledge on how to get it running. Would love to be able to get some knowledge from you about them. I also was thinking about making mine into a cafe racer. hope you get back to me.

[@JTSCUSTOMS]

Hi Wyatt. I still have the bike and will get to it at some point. If you look over my videos on the 78 KZ1000 you should see most everything needed to restore yours.

[@jonathanbrown1120]

I used JB WELD and playdough to re-make a bracket/mount/tab for my old Mazdas air box. Worked really well, stuff gets hard as stone but not too bridle. KZbin channel "project farm" did some epoxy testing and I think JB WELD was #1 or at least up there.

[@JTSCUSTOMS]

You think it would work for a side cover missing tabs? Just imprint a good tab in playdough as a mold and fill with JB??

[@jonathanbrown1120]

@@JTSCUSTOMS I think it would be worth a shot so long as the JB WELD cured, I think you would need to build some up to reinforce the mounting surface. The JB WELD tab that I made was a U shape and was thin but incredibly strong. Stronger than the plastic.

[@ZombiePotatoSalad]

@@JTSCUSTOMS A couple of tabs on my side covers are broken as well. I thought of making what was essentially a hollow three-sided splint to bridge the gape, and using superglue. Ideally, I'd have machined aluminum side covers with beveled edges.

[@JTSCUSTOMS]

@@ZombiePotatoSalad I don't think super glue will have a chance.? I would form some plastic tabs from old plastic pieces like a fender or another disposable side cover like I did on the video " 1982 GS1100E Restoration Part 2" It worked great for me!

[@ZombiePotatoSalad]

@@JTSCUSTOMS Good idea. I'm almost done with the first video, I'll check that out. I have nowhere near your knowledge or equipment lol.

[@garyburbank8895]

Id keep it original and clean it up

[@JTSCUSTOMS]

Hi Everyone! I am still going to finish this cool bike but it has unfortunately been pushed way back to next year? I have just so much time. I should never have bought the Honda 3 wheel wheelers!!!

[@kyleconger6544]

Can’t wait for you to start this one again!

[@JTSCUSTOMS]

@@kyleconger6544 I just keep getting deeper into the little Hondas! I want to pick it up with the GS550E but it will be a while.

[@ababbit7461]

John, Shingletown wants to see the finished, painted, striped KZ1000..... We are on pins and needles on that one... BTW John, as I have said before, that JB Weld has my initials so it has to work well.... I would not have it any other way here from Shingletown. What about that KZ1000''s paint?

[@gilbertgrape3329]

Can you tell me what size tires you're running on the GS550E? I just picked up one and it's been hibernating for 20 years! Has old tires on it. 3.25 x 19 up front and 3.75 x 18 in back! What is the newer sizes that I should purchase? Thanks!

[@JTSCUSTOMS]

90/90/19 52H Ft 110/90/18 61H Rear

[@ZombiePotatoSalad]

Gilbert Grape I too purchased a GS550E, a 1980. Sat under a deck for 3 years, I'd like to restore it as much as I can. A good website to go to is www.thegsresources.com/

[@lolwtfdemon]

where the hell is part 2

[@JTSCUSTOMS]

I know. I know. It just keeps getting pushed back.

[@lolwtfdemon]

@@JTSCUSTOMS I’m trying to get one of these running as my first project bike and i’m scouring the internet for these kinda videos lol