Newbie with some silly questions

[poteten72]

Hello

I have just bought a 1973 GT550, and have some questions...

- My bike should be fitted with a electric starter right?
- If so, where is it mounted?
- on the right handelbar there is no on/off- and starter button, I guess it was orginally?

There seems to be two (oil) plugs under the engine wich one is for draining on transmission oil ?

Any where I can buy a "user manual" for my bike?

[Coyote]

The starter motor is mounted in a cavity on the bottom side of the engine. The on / off switch on the right is an emergency kill switch. leave it in the on position\
There are 2 plugs under the motor but only 1 is a drain. One is flat to the motor and one is angled. DO NOT remove the angled one as it contains a spring and a plunger for the neutral detent. The flat one is the drain plug for the transmission. As far as the manual goes, they are always on eBay and there are a few online. You will not find paper back specific to the 73. Most all of the manuals available cover all the triples. Are you certain of the year if your bike? Generally the manufacture date is not the year of the bike but rather the next year. If the bike has individually mounted carburetors, it is a 72 or 73. If the carburetors are grouped together on a single mount, it is a 74 - 77. Only the VIN number can tell us what you have.

[poteten72]

Thanks for the quick reply

You see I dont have the kill switch / starterbutton at all........I guess somebody have removed it for some reason back in time.
But I guess it should have been there orginally?

What about the choke lever where is that originally mounted? Mine is mounted on the top of the "air ram" cover....

I have the single mounted carbs as you mentioned prty sure it is a 73mod.

Will try to look for the startermotor asap.

Thanks again mate

[oldjapanesebikes]

The best place (IMHO) to get the correct manuals for your bike is from : http://e-classicbike.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; based in New Zealand. Reasonable price, good quality and fast service. As per Chris' comment though, you need to be certain of the model year and for that you will need the VIN. I have a few resource items available on line at this link which may help you:

http://www.oldjapanesebikes.com/mraxl_G ... index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[tz375]

As Coyote mentioned, the starter motor is not easy to spot. It's hidden under the motor in a recess.

Early starters had an issue with the clutch mechanism and it's possible that yours was disconnected or maybe even removed by a prior owner. It's also possible that the PO had a problem with the throttle or switch and simply swapped it out with one that had no starter button.

[jabcb]

The starter clutch upgrade is shown in Service Bulletin GT-26:
http://www.ozebook.com/compendium/techb ... 022-26.pdf

Some of the parts were matched to control tolerances. See the service bulletin for details.

The upgraded starter clutches show up on eBay from time to time.

[Cliff]

Just remember, no question is silly! It's only silly NOT to ask!
The starter is on the underside of the engine. It has a cover over it held on with 4 bolts. You will have to drop the exhaust to get to it! Under the left hand plastic side cover you'll find the starter solenoid. It has the main, large red positive battery wire going to it and one large/heavy black wire out of it going to the starter. With a good battery installed, put a jumper between those two large terminals and the starter SHOULD come to life! Or you could just get a bunch of sparks or nothing at all. Sparks or nothing means the starter is bad. If the starter turns but not the motor, the starter clutch has failed.

The right hand throttle grip should look like this: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/SUZUKI-GT250-thr ... ac&vxp=mtr" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The transmission drain plug is the one that goes straight into the bottom of the case, not the one that goes in on an angle!

Here's a link to a manual that's good. I have one and it's better than the Haynes manual. http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Clymer-Suzuki-38 ... 70&vxp=mtr" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And don't be afraid to ask questions!!
Cliff!

[poteten72]

Thanks to everybody for replying my questions

Well I cant find the solenoid and the starterbutton missing.....Guess for some reason it have been removed, will see if the startermotor actually is in place, when I got some time to remove mid exhaust.

The 550 starts easy on the kickstarter usually the second kick, but it would have been sweet to have the electric starter aswell

Im about to change the gearoil, what are you guys using?

[Alan H]

PM me your email address and I'll send a copy of the original service manual from 1972. Free of charge!!
If you let me know your engine and frame numbers I'll identify what you have.

[tz375]

I know this will sound odd, but are you sure it's a 550 and not a 380 triple?

[Coyote]

Ah yes. The 380 has no electric start and a missing starter relay. Look at the base of the right cylinder where it meets the block. The CC's are embossed there. If its a 559, it should say 543CC.

[poteten72]

Ah yes. The 380 has no electric start and a missing starter relay. Look at the base of the right cylinder where it meets the block. The CC's are embossed there. If its a 559, it should say 543CC.

It the 543CC I have