1972 Suzuki GT550

38Y1790036 T

1972 Suzuki GT550 Triple. Nice old bike. Pictures say a lot about the condition of chrome. Engine starts, runs, idles, but will not come up to higher rpms when cranking on it. The compression averages 135 psi, no low compression on any cylinder.(3) Starts right up when kicked, but electric starter is intermittent. Sometime it turns over fast, but mostly slow. May be brushes, but I do not know. Tires have good tread, hold air, even all winter. Front brake works, but sticks, probably needs cleaning or a kit installed. Front disc is good. Rear drum brakes function fine. Seat is vinyl taped. Gauges are broken, I think they work, can't remember from last summer. Fork boots are ripped, but seals do not appear to leak. Chain is somewhat rusty but appears to be good. Sprockets are good. Bike looks pretty good. I bought it sitting in a garage and put a new battery in it ($75.00) and it started right up after draining and putting new fuel in. Previous owner said it ran perfect,but it didn't when I got it going. Rode it up and down my driveway and that was about it. Shifts good, clutch seems good. Full tool kit, amazing! Crash bars. I have baffles and screws, took them out and cleaned them. I also have screws that hold Air Ram Covers on, removed to check plugs and compression. As seen in pictures, fuel tank is very clean, a tiny bit of rust. A good flushing is probably due. AGM battery will go with bike if reserve is met. Clear title in my name. Also full color service manual that I ordered from New Zealand. Best manual I have ever seen, plastic hard cover.Brand new. Ask questions if you have them. On Mar-13-12 at 07:04:00 PDT, seller added the following information: Note: The service manual is in B&W with a color laminated plastic cover. Thought it was all color, but it is not. Sorry! On Mar-13-12 at 20:20:55 PDT, seller added the following information: Took the tank off today and drained the old gas from last year and flushed with clean fuel. Also drained carbs and let new gas flow thru and out drains. Bike fired up on 3rd kick after sitting all winter. Gas was nasty even though I stabilized it. Bike ran same as last year, runs up to about 3000 rpm and then won't rip higher unless slowly given gas. I really think carbs need cleaning and carb boots need tightening. Engine sounds fine, got that nice triple waaaahhhhhhhhh to it that I love. Gas lines are old and brittle and petcock leaks some. Will need a seal I suppose. Front disc brake is not sticking much at all, turns pretty ez. Tach works but whirrs, didn't notice the speedo. If I run it tomorrow I will post again. Just an update. On Mar-14-12 at 05:18:56 PDT, seller added the following information: For some reason ebay didn't allow me to post this question or answer pertaining to the running of the bike: Answer: I really don't know why it doesn't rev up. When I bought the bike last year the owner said that it ran perfect but the gas was bad and the battery dead so I took him at his word. It didn't. The carbs are probably gummed up from sitting, the fuel was like turpentine. I have not had time to remove the carbs and soak and clean them. The boots may also leak air as they need tightening to seal properly. I have not tried to tighten them. They don't seem hard, so probably will seal. Dirty carbs can lead to a multitude of problems, but I don't know if this is the cause. Could even be the plugs, I cleaned the ones in it and it fired right up so I did not put new ones in, again I don't know, maybe it could be a coil? I bought the service manual to start restoring it but ended up with another project so I did not start on it. Wish I could say for sure but I can't. I just don't know enough about motorcycle engines. Sorry.On Mar-14-12 at 16:12:38 PDT, seller added the following information: I know, one more update and this is it I think. Ran the bike today again. Headlight and tailight did not come on. Could be the bulbs or a fuse, probably the bulb, it is 40 year old bike. Bike runs better now that some gas has been run through it, actually takes off good, rpms come up, but still not like it should. Still needs some tweaking. I still think the carbs are dirty and floats maybe sticking. Front brake still sticks. On Mar-18-12 at 05:15:43 PDT, seller added the following information: Please! NO International bidders. Bidders from the USA only. I stated in shipping terms. "Bike sells to USA only". I should have been more clear!!? USA bidders only!