Suzuki 2 Strokes

Hi Thought Id share a few photos of my GT550 project.

Brought it after the before pictures as the original restoring owner gave up as it was to big a job for them and they didnt have the money needed, got it as a pile of rusty bits in 5 boxes and a re-coated frame and a cleaned engine unit.I hope this bike will almost be as new when finished.

The only deviation from original being the burnt orange paint finish on the tank and side panels and the L model exhausts.

Before and so far.

No there not much of the original bike left, thank god for Ebay, parts have been brought in to the UK from all over the world including the USA, Germany, Italy, France, Japan and Holland ie tank, front mudguard, battery box, rear foot rests, indicator units, speedo, rear shocks, new rims and spokes, cables, headlamp shell, exhaust system etc







Now with new original rims, spokes, fork legs, single stay front guard, new NOS rear guard, chain adjusters, every nut and bolt, also re-plating any reused items with bright nickel, which is very rewarding.

due to the cost of chroming in the UK, every chrome part is new or has been brought in the the US already rechromed, nice finds include new kick start, front single stay mudguard which was rechromed in the UK at a cost of £320

Pictures so far, just brought brand new speedo from Italy for £50



Will keep up dating as and when major progress is made. Looks like I will be asking lots of questions as well soon about engine rebuild.

Its not run since 1980 and was stored in a leaking shed for 25 years.

But a question will a set of L model original exhausts fit this bike OK as its a A model

Wow that sure looked pretty poorly to start with. Like what you've done with it. Looks really great. But £320 to rechrome a mudguard, Holy crap!! Those guys that do re-chroming sure know how to charge. Dunno how they sleep at night.
Think I'll go the cheap route and get a universal polished alloy one for £40 on ebay. It might not look factory finish but it will be lighter than steel and my pocket can stay a bit heavier.

Opps forgot to say they did one headlamp ear as well for the £320 so it must of been a bargain price of about £250 for the front mudguard.

Yes , to get everything rechromed I was quoted about £600 not including the exhausts, but on close inspection the pitting was too bad on most of the parts plus it was cheaper to buy new or buy US rechomed parts, rear light mount and headlamp bowl are US rechromed imports.

I had one front mudguard sent to the chromers and they ground through the metal trying to remove the pitting and it looked like a good one too !!

They ended up lead loading it but it looked like s**t sold it on ebay for £60 still but it was a mess, a shinny one though.



I would of sold it for parts but I like a challenge. Normally do cars as a hobby

engine from a restored Triumph Stag race car I did a few years back

Most would have parted the bike out..great to see another saved

Ironically there was not much worth selling as it was so bad, but only paid £370 for it.

wont go into what I have spent on it, but hopefully it will come out looking like new, as most of it is !

Triggers broom then Steve........

Was it used as an anchor in it's former life?

What a ridiculously bad starting point. Hope you keep us updated as work progresses.

It looks a lot better than the burnt orange lol. Can you tell me more about the Triumph? It certainly looks powerful. Nice craftsman ship .

Very nice Stag! I had not seen that intake on a Stag before. I have seen something simuliar on a TR8.
Great Job on the Suzuki!

Triumph racing stag built in late 70's by Hart Racing a Stag specialist in the UK

before restoration



after 150 hours work



prevouis projects

6R4 last one ever sold by Rover ex dealer show car brought as non runner



3 litre V6 engine in 6R4


My old TR7 V8 race car built from a 2 litre road car, fitted with 4.2 litre V8



An accident damaged Clio V6 3 litre before repair



after 2 years work including a full colour change



Rolled MG ZT V8 ex works test car number 4 off the production line rolled by test driver at factory track, I reshelled it into new shell fitted, these cars had a Mustang 4.6 V8 engine





So the GT550 is a nice easy project as I dont have to lay on my back for this.

The 6R4 picture above, looks suspiciously like our local circuit, Lydden Hill.....just about 3 miles from our workshop !

Indeed it is, well spotted, impressed.

Almost cost me a lot of money as lost it at the bend before the hill ended up in the gravel trap,but being 4 wheel drive just drove it out again but the bank looked very close and exspensive.

Only went there the once with it but did 90% of my racing there with the TR7V8, lovely place.

Looking back I wish I had been able to keep some of them but there is alway another project.

I enjoy the rebuilding more than the using.

The Paddock



Do you do engine rebuilds ?

Interesting looking manifolds on that Stag - most V8's are crossover inlets. Any advantages?

Nice job on the bike, so far, by the way.

The car rebuilds also look interesting.

I would love to have that Clio V6 3 litre....we don't get cool cars like that here in the States...
The past 12 cars I have owned have been insurance salvage/total vehicles.... Bikes are much easier (and take up a lot less room )