A Field Guide to the Suzuki GT550
Specifications
These are as listed in the Service Manual for the 'J' model - changes were made in each year and are covered in those sections. See also the Country Specific Versions section for additional data possibly specific to your location.
Dimensions and Weight
- Overall length : 2160 mm (85.0 in)
- Overall width : 850 mm (33.5 in)
- Overall height : 1100 mm (43.3 in)
- Wheel base : 1405 mm (55.3 in)
- Road clearance: 145 mm (5.9 in)
- Tire, front : 3.25 x 19
- Tire, rear : 4.00 x 18
- Dry weight : 187 kg (412 lb)
Performance
- Maximum speed : 176 - 184 kph (110 - 115 mph)
- Acceleration : 13.5 sec (SS 1/4 mile)
- CLimbing ability : 26 degrees
Engine
- Type : Air-cooled 3-cylinder two-stroke
- Piston Displacement : 543 cc (33.2 cu-in.)
- Bore & stroke : 61 x 62 mm (2.4 x 2.44 in)
- Cyliders : Three in line, aluminium with 120 degree throws
- Corrected compression ratio : 6.8:1
- Maximum horsepower : 50 hp @ 6500 rpm
- Maximum torque : 6.1 kg-m (44.1 ft/lb) @ 5000 rpm
- Starter : Electric and kick
Fuel System
- Carburettors : 3 Mikuni VM28SC round slide
- Air CLeaner : Wet polyurethane filter
- Fuel capacity : 15.0 litres(4.0 US gal, 3.3 Imperial gal) including reserve of 4.6 litres (1.2 US gal or 1.0 Imperial gal)
- Fuel consumption: 5.3 l/100 km (44 miles/US gal or 53 miles/Imperial gal)
Lubrication SYstem
- Engine : Suzuki CCI
- Gear box : 1500 cc (3.2 US pints or 2.6 Imperial pints)
- Engine oil tank capacity : 1.5 litre (3.2 US pints or 2.6 Imperial pints)
Ignition System
- Type : Battery ignition
- Ignition timing : 24 degrees (3.37 mm in piston stroke) BTDC
- Spark plug : NGK B7ES or Nippon Denso W22ES
Power Transmission
- Clutch : Wet, multi-disc
- Gear box : 5-speed, constant mesh
- Gear shiftng : left foot operated
- Primary reduction ratio : 2.242 (74/33)
- Final reduction ratio : 2.5 (40/16)
- Gear ratios (Overall reduction ratios)
- 1st : 2.864:1 (37/13)
- 2nd : 1.736:1 (33.19)
- 3rd : 1.363:1 (30.22)
- 4th : 1.125:1 (27/24)
- 5th : 0.923:1 (24/26
- Final drive type : Heavy duty endless 530 chain
Suspension
- Front suspension : Telescopic forks with hydrualic damper
- Rear suspension : Swinging arm with hydraulic dampers
Steering
- Steering angle : 42 degrees (right and left)
- Castor : 61 degrees
- Trail : 118 mm (4.6 inches)
- Turning radius : 2.5 m (8.2 ft.)
Brakes
- Front brake : 4LS twin panel drum (1972 MY only), Single caliper hydraulic disc (subsequent MY)
- Rear brake : 1LS single panel drum
Electrical Equipment
- Generator : Alternator 12V, 210 W
- two types used: Nippon Denso = 28A @ 6000 RPM, and Kokusan = 15.5A @ 6000 RPM
- Starter motor : 12V 500W
- Battery : 12V 11AH
- Fuse : 20A
- Head lamp : 12V 50/40W
- Tail/Brake lamp : 12V 8/23W (3/32 cp)
- Indicator lamps : 12V, 3.4W
- Turn signal indicator lamp : 12V, 1.7W
- Turn signal lamp : 12V 23W (32 cps)