new bike!!

[jsquibby]

Hey everyone .. I am new to this forum. I just got a 74 gt550.. the bike has been sitting for a long time and I basically just got rid of it for the guy who owned it and took it to my garage. started tearing it down.. seems like it is going to need alot of work . stator completely corroded, distributor area gonna need updated.. 2 outside pistons ( one broke at pin holder, other blew the top off) foot crank wont turn motor over buit i can turn over by hand. seems to shift ok . only has 7700 miles on it .. im down to the block and kinda stuck on what i should do from there.. split the case ? and start rebuilding crank or clean case out best i can and build up from there.

[jsquibby]

also.. how often do these bikes bend connecting rods when the pistons come apart like these have.. i have not read anything about bent rods while doing my searching?

[Alan H]

It will have had cranks full of fuel and then tried to start, so the carbs will need sorting and also probably the fuel tap. Realistically, that motor will need a full strip and rebuild.
Well worth it in the end, I've just done a 550K and just got the engine on my 550A running - they are a great bike.

[jsquibby]

full strip and rebuild even though it has 7700 miles?

[jsquibby]

can you go in detail when you say full strip and rebuild?please.. i am newer to the 2 stroke motorcycle world .

[Coyote]

You will need to split the cases to get all the piston pieces out of the crankcase. Inspect the crank. If the crank is rusty and it were mine, I throw the entire project in the trash - otherwise you will spend a fortune to ever have even a good starting place. If the crank and rods look OK, then build it back up from there. If the cylinders are badly scored from broken pistons, figure on a bore job, new oversize pistons, pins and small end bearings.
If you get that far, then there's the carbs. With only 7700 miles on it, leave the rebuild kits on the shelf. Everything should still be good (after disassemble and cleaning) unless of course the bike was stored outdoors. Was it? Mother nature has totally destroyed thousands of perfectly good motorcycles from plain old neglect.

[jsquibby]

thank you guys for responding.. i figured i would have to split the cases. the bike was outside... there is some rust i have been just filling block up with pb blaster the past week... when i split the cases im going to soak everything in kerosene to get the rest of rust off. no major scoring is seen in jugs u can actually still see cross hatching. will split cases and get bottom end back together. then ill go from there... does anyone recommend a certain seal kit for everything im going to need to do to the bottom end? thank you

[jsquibby]

i should be able to just go with the stock size pistons right.? lightly hone jugs. have any clue where to get the 3 pistons also

[Coyote]

Go to eBay and do a search for GT550 pistons. There is a seller (site) by the name of Cruzin' Image that sells all 3 pistons and rings for $60. You won't do any better than that. Unfortunately, they only sell stock size pistons for the 550. Because of that, I had to pay through the nose to get my first over pistons.

Here is your link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/SUZUKI-GT550-ST ... 2a&vxp=mtr" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[jsquibby]

awesome!!!! i will get those as soon as i get back from vacation. only other thing ill need is the seal/gasket kit after splitting the case.. which one did you use?

[Coyote]

I didn't split the case on this or any other 2-stroke. Only ones I have done is an ancient Ducati 250 single and a 650 Triumph. You haven't lived till you mess with a vertical split motor.. Gasket sets are all over the place on eBay.

[jsquibby]

ok man,, thank you for your input.. i tried posting a pic but it said the file was too large.. guess i got to figure how to compress file maybe i dunno .. just havent tried messin with it . thank you again .

[jsquibby]

hey , i was looking over the bottom end again today and noticed some side to side movement with the connecting rods.. i see the rod bearings are somewhat a needle bearing setup so is the side to side movement normal? still havent split the case due to being on vacation . This is just grabbing the rods from the pins at the top

[Suzukidave]

I dont know if you have seen this site but has lots of info http://www.oldjapanesebikes.com/mraxl_G ... index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[yeadon_m]

There is a spec for max permitted side to side play of rods. In the engine manual I believe. Perhaps 3mm? But, I am guessing!
Mike