1980 Suzuki GS550L - Page 10

Landsvw · 06-23-2021, 12:26 PM

Cleaned my shop and got a photo op of the ‘fleet’. Down to only 3 bikes dang it…

franque · 06-23-2021, 03:54 PM

Time to buy another project/Chinese bike!

Landsvw · 06-23-2021, 05:07 PM

I keep trying to buy a Chinese bike, but used, they should be pennies on the dollar… but people want too much for them right now. When I find the 75$ one, I’ll def buy…

Landsvw · 07-08-2021, 08:03 AM

Haha I spoke too soon! Sooo, I ended up with an XR80 engine in pieces, for free… I assembled it. Then, wanted to help the neighbor kid have a bike, so his dad and I are working on making him a bike. Got a 1979 XL75 for 150$. And then, a 1974 XL75 for 50$, and THEN a 2003 XR100 for 200$… sheeesh… they are like rabbits! I’ve got parts on order for the XR100, the neighbor is painting the frame of the 1979 bike, the 80 engine will go into the XL, and the kid will have a bike. And, evidently, I’ll have a nice little XR100 in the fleet. The other parts? Who knows… might be enough left over for most of one more bike…

**JerryHawk250** · 07-08-2021, 08:06 AM

That's going to be one happy kid.

Landsvw · 07-08-2021, 08:11 AM

The 79 XL had a seized from rust engine, and a bad gas tank for starters. So, I got the engine free, had a cylinder and piston that had come with the XR80 engine, but was a 75cc, so have most of that engine back together but not the top end.

The XR80 was just disassembled and missing valve keepers and, a front timing chain guide, which I used from the XL engine.

The 74 XL is the older style engine, and hard to find parts for, so, probably won’t even mess with that one.

The XR100 is a weird case. Evidently someone had lengthened the swing arm from a CR type bike and had put it on the XR but the shock is a 14 inch so it wasn’t fitting very well. Was in pieces all over this guys garage. But, he had already bought an XR swing arm, but he didn’t have a shock. I ordered one for 35$ from eBay and it’s on the way. That should complete the frame issues. The second part of this story is, the engine is disassembled. The timing chain and sprockets are toast. Over revving? Never adjusting? Probably both. I have all those parts ordered too and it’s ready to be put back together. Again, just parts in cans, and etc etc. still missing some bolts I think, but between my bolt bin and the parts XL’s, should have plenty of Honda style bolts to reassemble the bike. Plastics and seat are good.

Landsvw · 07-23-2021, 07:53 AM

I have the XL75 getting very close. Has some weird features. The donor XR75 had triple tree from XL250 and who knows what forks, and the original wheels. All are now on the XL. Then, a XR100 front fender and number plate. Went with the original XL75 engine as I had an extra cylinder head and got the rings free, etc, plus honed out the cylinder (was rusty inside).

Meanwhile in the quest to get the 75 built, I get this XR100 for 200$. It’s also almost back together. Had stretched timing chain and bad timing sprockets. got them in from Rocky Mountain ATV (great company for OEM parts btw). It also had some kind of CR extended rear swing arm and was cobbled together with crappy welds, etc. so, an eBay swingarm and shock, a few other eBay parts, and it’s back to original.

Both coming along nicely. Maybe by the weekend my shop will be back to normal.

herbie · 07-23-2021, 11:19 AM

Nice!!! You mentioned Rocky Mountain for parts, you might want to check out carolinacycle.com they have the best prices and always have had things in stock or get them in very quick. I’ve used them several times, they get high marks from me.

Landsvw · 07-24-2021, 12:22 AM

A mock-up with tank and side covers

Landsvw · 08-08-2021, 06:36 PM

The Suzuki is officially finished

Landsvw · 08-08-2021, 06:39 PM

Suzuki is officially complete. Found some old pinstripes from a Ford project and threw them on…

herbie · 08-09-2021, 05:05 AM

Sweet looking bike, Nice job!! Man that thing brings back some memories

Landsvw · 08-09-2021, 08:28 AM

I also got the 200$ basket case XR100 back together. Spent maybe 350$ on it. Mostly eBay used parts. Runs well! I think I have a friend that wants to buy it, and all the extras. Will make a little $$ on it too, and pay for all the other bike silliness this last year…

2LZ · 08-09-2021, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herbie

Sweet looking bike, Nice job!! Man that thing brings back some memories

Yer not kidding about the memories. I can smell the bean oil now.....

Landsvw · 08-09-2021, 12:36 PM

I had a TC125 in high school and so did my best friend. The bikes were perfectly equal in speed. I remember we’d race towards mud puddles and all sorts of things trying to be first. Really, the winner was the one who shifted right. Anyway, I sold it, then got another one first year of college. Kept that one until I was married and into the early 90’s. They are kinda slow but simple and fun to ride. The high low range is super awesome. This one I finally found last December, up in Portland in pieces (missing some things too). Enjoyed the process of putting it back together and completely enjoy the retro sound and feel of the bike. I’m not disappointed. Just like the 80’s!

06-23-2021, 05:07 PM	#138
Landsvw Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Myrtle Creek Oregon Posts: 872	I keep trying to buy a Chinese bike, but used, they should be pennies on the dollar… but people want too much for them right now. When I find the 75$ one, I’ll def buy… __________________ 1988 Kawasaki KLR250 1969 Honda Z50 silver tag 2002 Ford F-350 7.3 diesel 1975 Corvette 2017 Chevy Bolt “Throttle twisting geek” -LFN
	0

07-08-2021, 08:03 AM	#139
Landsvw Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Myrtle Creek Oregon Posts: 872	Haha I spoke too soon! Sooo, I ended up with an XR80 engine in pieces, for free… I assembled it. Then, wanted to help the neighbor kid have a bike, so his dad and I are working on making him a bike. Got a 1979 XL75 for 150$. And then, a 1974 XL75 for 50$, and THEN a 2003 XR100 for 200$… sheeesh… they are like rabbits! I’ve got parts on order for the XR100, the neighbor is painting the frame of the 1979 bike, the 80 engine will go into the XL, and the kid will have a bike. And, evidently, I’ll have a nice little XR100 in the fleet. The other parts? Who knows… might be enough left over for most of one more bike… __________________ 1988 Kawasaki KLR250 1969 Honda Z50 silver tag 2002 Ford F-350 7.3 diesel 1975 Corvette 2017 Chevy Bolt “Throttle twisting geek” -LFN
	1

07-08-2021, 08:06 AM	#140
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,561	That's going to be one happy kid. __________________ 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
	1

07-08-2021, 08:11 AM	#141
Landsvw Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Myrtle Creek Oregon Posts: 872	The 79 XL had a seized from rust engine, and a bad gas tank for starters. So, I got the engine free, had a cylinder and piston that had come with the XR80 engine, but was a 75cc, so have most of that engine back together but not the top end. The XR80 was just disassembled and missing valve keepers and, a front timing chain guide, which I used from the XL engine. The 74 XL is the older style engine, and hard to find parts for, so, probably won’t even mess with that one. The XR100 is a weird case. Evidently someone had lengthened the swing arm from a CR type bike and had put it on the XR but the shock is a 14 inch so it wasn’t fitting very well. Was in pieces all over this guys garage. But, he had already bought an XR swing arm, but he didn’t have a shock. I ordered one for 35$ from eBay and it’s on the way. That should complete the frame issues. The second part of this story is, the engine is disassembled. The timing chain and sprockets are toast. Over revving? Never adjusting? Probably both. I have all those parts ordered too and it’s ready to be put back together. Again, just parts in cans, and etc etc. still missing some bolts I think, but between my bolt bin and the parts XL’s, should have plenty of Honda style bolts to reassemble the bike. Plastics and seat are good. __________________ 1988 Kawasaki KLR250 1969 Honda Z50 silver tag 2002 Ford F-350 7.3 diesel 1975 Corvette 2017 Chevy Bolt “Throttle twisting geek” -LFN
	0

07-23-2021, 11:19 AM	#143
herbie Join Date: May 2019 Location: Illinois Posts: 864	Nice!!! You mentioned Rocky Mountain for parts, you might want to check out carolinacycle.com they have the best prices and always have had things in stock or get them in very quick. I’ve used them several times, they get high marks from me. __________________ 2022 Venom KPR 200 Red- the fastest color 16t and 46t sprockets, NGK Iridium CPR8EAIX-9, aftermarket full exhaust system. Top speed 81GPS 2023 Venom SS3 KP mini 150– Nibbi carb, Nibbi air filter, aftermarket muffler, decat 2022 Venom Ghost chopper 250 1997 Honda GL1500 Goldwing 1978 Kawasaki KL250 https://youtube.com/@herbiesgarage681
	2

06-23-2021, 03:54 PM	#137
franque Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Marseille, France -> Conakry, Guinea Posts: 1,481	Time to buy another project/Chinese bike!
	1

08-08-2021, 06:36 PM	#145
Landsvw Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Myrtle Creek Oregon Posts: 872	The Suzuki is officially finished __________________ 1988 Kawasaki KLR250 1969 Honda Z50 silver tag 2002 Ford F-350 7.3 diesel 1975 Corvette 2017 Chevy Bolt “Throttle twisting geek” -LFN
	0

08-08-2021, 06:39 PM	#146
Landsvw Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Myrtle Creek Oregon Posts: 872	Suzuki is officially complete. Found some old pinstripes from a Ford project and threw them on… __________________ 1988 Kawasaki KLR250 1969 Honda Z50 silver tag 2002 Ford F-350 7.3 diesel 1975 Corvette 2017 Chevy Bolt “Throttle twisting geek” -LFN Last edited by Landsvw; 08-09-2021 at 12:32 PM.
	3

08-09-2021, 05:05 AM	#147
herbie Join Date: May 2019 Location: Illinois Posts: 864	Sweet looking bike, Nice job!! Man that thing brings back some memories __________________ 2022 Venom KPR 200 Red- the fastest color 16t and 46t sprockets, NGK Iridium CPR8EAIX-9, aftermarket full exhaust system. Top speed 81GPS 2023 Venom SS3 KP mini 150– Nibbi carb, Nibbi air filter, aftermarket muffler, decat 2022 Venom Ghost chopper 250 1997 Honda GL1500 Goldwing 1978 Kawasaki KL250 https://youtube.com/@herbiesgarage681
	2

08-09-2021, 12:36 PM	#150
Landsvw Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Myrtle Creek Oregon Posts: 872	I had a TC125 in high school and so did my best friend. The bikes were perfectly equal in speed. I remember we’d race towards mud puddles and all sorts of things trying to be first. Really, the winner was the one who shifted right. Anyway, I sold it, then got another one first year of college. Kept that one until I was married and into the early 90’s. They are kinda slow but simple and fun to ride. The high low range is super awesome. This one I finally found last December, up in Portland in pieces (missing some things too). Enjoyed the process of putting it back together and completely enjoy the retro sound and feel of the bike. I’m not disappointed. Just like the 80’s! __________________ 1988 Kawasaki KLR250 1969 Honda Z50 silver tag 2002 Ford F-350 7.3 diesel 1975 Corvette 2017 Chevy Bolt “Throttle twisting geek” -LFN Last edited by Landsvw; 08-10-2021 at 11:16 AM.
	1