Thoughts on a 550 Smoker?

http://albany.craigslist.org/mcy/3023260022.html

Local sale. My friend Ron called me and came up with a $500 price, I don't see it in the ad.

Worthy of Cafe' time?

I'd do it.

From what I've heard they're fun bikes. They're not quite as explosive in the power as the old RD series.

Here are some specs on it.

Here's a glowing review.

Xceler8x wrote: From what I've heard they're fun bikes. They're not quite as explosive in the power as the old RD series. Here are some specs on it. Here's a glowing review.

Those are for the GT500, which was a twin...the Clist ad is for a GT550 triple.

My brother bought a GT550 new in 1975, it was a great bike. Very reliable.

Get it cheap enough, stick a set of reed valves and expansion chambers on it, yank as much heavy crap off as you can... yeah, it would be fun.

I just bought a GT380 Triple and love it. I am looking at a Gt550 in Maryland as a companion. I say go for it.

Believe it or not, the Suzuki triples were the Torqy, touring two strokes. Weirdoxymoron, but true. Very reliable, heavy, Cool. Getit. Party.

Tough to go wrong for that price. Get it running, then mod it as time and money allow.

I had one and passed it on to my brother. It was, at the time, a relatively quick bike and was very dependable. My brother rode it all through high school and never had a problem. He wasn't "kind" to it, either. Wouldn't be a bad deal at that price.

Who makes triples?!

That's just witchcraft right there. I like it.

I own a basket case GT550 - my brother (wheelsmity) and I brought it home in the back of an 82 subaru wagon- but sadly never got it running, so I can't speak on that one except to say I think it would be awsome.

I do have a little expieience with it's little brothr though. One of my college roomates bought a GT380 for $65 (it was late 80's). I cleaned the carbs, drained the tank, new battery, and cleaned the points and it ran like a top. Not quite as exciting as my RD400, but surprisingly not too far off. It was way more stable/comfortable and I can only imagine it would be better with modern tires. I still kick myself for not buying from him when he was "done" with it.

Dan

oops... I meant "owned" a GT550, it's been gone for many years...