20 Most Recent 1983 Suzuki Gs 550 L Questions & Answers

You have replaced the battery, the rect/reg twice and the stator twice. Wiring is thought to be OK the only part not checked is the magnetic rotor. These rarely go wrong, to see if it is showing a strong magnetic force try putting a screwdriver blade near it. Some bikes used to have brushes in the alternator similar to a car set up these can cause problems if worn or loose. If yours is a 2 part (air gap) alternator having just the rotor and stator try this. Unplug the alternator connector that links to the reg/rect. Get a multimeter and set to continuity ohms find a good earth point on the bike and connect the black meter lead to it touch the red lead to each contact in the alternator connector in turn if you get no reading or buzz from the meter the stator is OK. I would then look at the battery. Make sure the battery is able to be charged, do not use a car charger ever, you need a charger that is for motorcycle use only, less than 1 amp output. Never try to jump start the bike from another vehicle, when removing the battery disconnect negative first when fitting the battery connect positive first. Good luck.

Have a 81 gs450l Suzuki. How do you remove the seat?

put in gear and rock a couple of times then put in nuetral and try starting

plugs out, number one TDC and take the cover off the engine flywheel side a small round plate, and some marks are behind it, timing dont usually go out. see this. http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?173708-Cam-Timing-Clarification-on-GS550

I have the exact same bike..... mine did that as well.... changed the pick up coils...no more prob

cross the 2 bolts on the starter relay/solonoid with ignition on. does this start it. ( it may spark a tad)

The transmission must be shifted up from first to neutral. Sometimes neutral must be "hunted for". If you are operating the shift properly then there is a small spring under the cover where the lever is mounted that may be broken or out of place. Drain the oil before removing the cover.

should have a lever both sides of seat just over halfway towards rear push backwards lift seat

hi it should be under the sidecover or under the seat cheers

You mean flooded (with too much gas)? You said the carbs were cleaned. Did it work ok after that, or is that when the problem started? Do you use the choke to start it when cold? When warm/hot? not at all because you figure its getting too much gas as it is?

1983?' if so its points and they need resetting ,but what teh gap is i have no idea but 15th would make it work thats for sure ,points are located behind a cover on the engine crankcase

did it restart when the engine was cold if so you may have got dirty fuel in your tank

There is no trick put the key in turn it and lift, some of the older machines had a lock and a catch, look to the rear of the lock for a catch, if this is as yours is you have to operate both at the same time

Go back to the 130 main jet. Be sure to check that both carb slides lift at the same moment. Also check to see if one carb is "driving" the other due to the idle screws not being balanced. Check the compression in both cylinders. It should be within 10% of each other. It is not likely that the bike has jumped time.

hi, you must do 2 types of readings: using a ohmmeter, in DC mode and 20V range, chek the batterie voltage with the engine running (over 1500 rpm).
Then make another reading with your meter set to AC current , juste before your rectifier
The you'll know !! But my opinion goes to the rectifier.
Good luck

battery is in its niche under the airbox. need to remove seat. and need to remove side covers. the side covers (if you have them) they are just pushed into rubber grommets be careful when prying out on the side covers on a bike this old they will be dry rotted.
and then when you see the battery I personally would replace it so I didn't get down to the local tavern and have it strand me, yes.

take it to autozone to have it tested first. and you'll know if it's the problem.
HERE IS A DIAGRAM LIST LOOKS PRETTY HELPFUL :) http://www.cmsnl.com/suzuki-gs550-l-1983-usa_model16035/partslist/

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The bike has a bent shift fork. The repair is not recommended for the home mechanic. Some special tools are needed and finding parts for a 28 year old bike may be a problem. Sorry.

3.8 ounces per fork

it sounds like the jets are plugged up in the carbs. remove carb bowls and clean out jets.

is oil up to level for cooling--carb cud use cleanin cause its probly using choke when cool--may also hav electrical components overheatin from age