Highlights
- Stunning freshly restored bike
- Matching numbers bike
- Only genuine Suzuki new old stock parts used
- Pinstripes on fuel tank painted on
- Immaculate chromework
- Engine, gearbox and running gear fully overhauled
- Ready to ride or show
The Appeal
In the mid Seventies Suzuki was on a roll and their three-cylinder air-cooled two-strokes proved a big world wide hit thanks to their sporty good looks and Japanese built quality. The GT550 (also known as the Indy in America) featured a similar head cooling system to their T500 racebike and used Ram Air cooling fins to duct air over the centre cylinder to even out the head temperatures.
It also used an innovative Suzuki Recycle Injection System to reduce visible emissions by sucking up crankcase oil from low revs and a novel exhaust system that neatly ducts the three cylinders into four tailpipes. Three into four does go!
With a capacity of 543cc, the triple two-stroke develops around 50bhp and was mated up to a five-speed multi-disc wet clutch to give a claimed top speed of around 115mph. Pretty sporty for 1976.
This particular example is from the penultimate year of production and is an A model bike featuring the all-important deleted mudguard stay, revised fuel tank graphics (in black - red was the only other option), stiffer rear shock absorbers and an LED gear indicator display. The matching numbers bike has been treated to an extensive and fastidious restoration by a renowned Suzuki GT restorer and was only recently completed.
The History and Paperwork
- Freshly restored by Suzuki GT expert Barry Wilkes
- Current owner for last year
- Log book in owners name
It’s fair to say that the current owner is something of a Suzuki aficionado and when he spotted this GT550 for sale at Hell’s Bells Classic Motorcycles in Donington, about a year ago, he had to have it. He used to ride an identical one when he was 18 (see the photo below) and it brought back a wave of nostalgia for him.
First registered on 1 August 1976, this A model GT550 was in fine order with the frame already having been powdercoated by Hell’s Bells, but it wasn’t perfect and sported a non-original front mudguard. This detail bugged him and by February 2022, he’d entrusted the bike to classic restorer Barry Wilkes, who is well know in the Suzuki GT community for his high end work. Barry finished this extensive overhaul in September and it’s fair to say no stone was left unturned.
Being over 40 years old, the bike does not need an MoT, with its last one expiring in March 2022. The log book is in the current owner’s name.
Now that the bike is fully finished, the current owner finds it a little heavy to lift onto the main stand (he’s not 18 anymore!) and has reluctantly decided to part with it.
The Exterior
- Paintwork on fuel tank by Racepaint UK
- Chromework in great condition
- Fully overhauled with only genuine new old stock parts
- All original spec
- Matching numbers engine and frame
While Barry weaved his magic on the bike’s restoration, thoroughly overhauling the matching numbers engine, the current owner scoured the globe for rare new old stock parts to replace any original items which were not perfect. These new old stock parts included both front and rear wheels, headlight cover, mirrors and of course the new genuine front mudguard. These are like gold dust to find and this one was eventually sourced in Germany.
Equally, the chromed fuel cap proved impossible to rechrome thanks to its mix of plastic and metal components so a brand new old stock one was tracked down in America. The fuel tank was repainted by Racepaints UK in Nottingham and it’s worth noting that the stripes are actually painted on – there are no reproduction transfers used here! The paintwork is like glass.
The original seat features plastic welded stitching and this was in good enough condition to be retained during the restoration, with the original passenger grab rail and taillight housing being rechromed.
The only minor negative that the owner points out is a tiny bit of pitting around the headlamp bracket and he’d be looking to rechrome it had he decided to keep the bike. It’s very hard to spot unless you’re up close, but the current owner is a perfectionist.
Original indicator lenses are in place on the bike – as denoted by the Suzuki lettering and ‘Made in Japan’ markings – together with new old stock side reflectors. Only original reflectors have the six-segment design (repro items are one-piece reflectors).
Even the foot pegs have been rebuilt, with the passenger pegs having been repassivated and treated to new old stock rubbers.
The Mechanics
- Engine and gearbox fully overhauled
- All rubber items and cables renewed
- All consumable items new
- New brakes and tyres
The restoration work included reconditioning the engine, carbs, chromework and all mechanical items right down to the last (Suzuki branded) nut and bolt. All new tyres were fitted to the new wheels and the brakes were thoroughly overhauled with new pads and discs at the front and new drums and shoes at the rear. Every cable, hose and rubber was replaced, together with any perishable parts.
Rechroming work was carried out to the forks (rebuilt with new seals) and the original exhaust, while the engine was polished and treated to a new chrome air filter box.
The lettering often fades off on the twist grip buttons, but new old stock items were tracked down and these are as new, while new mirrors and grips finish off the driving controls. Even the brake and clutch levers still sport their rubber end caps – these often usually absent on less thorough restorations.
No reproduction parts were used, only genuine Suzuki new old stock parts.
It is now said to ride like a new bike and the current owner says it rides with no faults that he’s aware of.
Summary
The owner of this bike is an absolute stickler for originality and quality and the restoration work of this matching numbers bike is to museum / concours standard. Thanks to the current owner combing the globe for rare new old stock parts, you don’t have to. There are no reproduction parts on the bike and the fresh Barry Wilkes restoration is first-rate. If you’re looking for the ultimate in restored GT550s, in desirable A model spec, you will struggle to find a better one than this. It’s ready to ride or show.
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