Now I've got both I'm a bit disappointed in the 550.
550 a lot heavier and feels like a huge bike compared to the 380
Power to weight the 380 is better (just) but my 380 is a shed never restored and looks a mess, its running Accent ignition but what transformed it was fitting Higgspeeds must have been 40+ years of gunk in the old pipes that was restricting the flow, it now has a small power band but the 550 is flat through the revs.
550 running Newtronic the rest is stock but the 380 will leave it standing off the mark, but lose out on top end
As for fuel consumption filled the 550 up and normal ride to Hastings and Rye/ home about 100 miles the 550 was on reserve after 88 miles but the 380 would make it unless 2's up.
I know the GT range are a true grand touring bike but should the 550 have a bit more get up & go compared to the 380 ?
550 V's 380
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Re: 550 V's 380
Hi
Sounds to me your 550 isn't running right. 88 mlies to a tank of fuel I get 110 to 120 from mine. Perhaps your running too rich which would account for the performance lack lustre. These bikes will never be economical because they were made when fuel was cheap .
Sounds to me your 550 isn't running right. 88 mlies to a tank of fuel I get 110 to 120 from mine. Perhaps your running too rich which would account for the performance lack lustre. These bikes will never be economical because they were made when fuel was cheap .
NO SMOKE .......NO POKE
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Re: 550 V's 380
Plugs don't look to bad,a bit rich
Going for the same ride today and will make sure its filled to the top.
Going for the same ride today and will make sure its filled to the top.
- Alan H
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Re: 550 V's 380
550s are better than the 380. They have more go and also brake and 'go' better. I rode all 3 back in the day and eventually bought a 550 in 1972, and have several 550s now. 40mpg is easily do-able even two up unless you'e running very quick. The 380 is still nice though but tbey should have put a lekky start on and shared the 6 speed 'box with it's bigger brother.
I reckon your 550 is tired and needs some tlc. Check pistons, rings & bore at least and give them a smarten up. Baz does a good job on carb refurb too.
Nothing particularly 'wrong' with the 380, but overall I prefer the 550 to the other triples.
Check the fuel tap too. The reserve on 550 and 380 is the same as they have the same tank. Make sure the tap has similar stacks inside as that affects the reserve.
I reckon your 550 is tired and needs some tlc. Check pistons, rings & bore at least and give them a smarten up. Baz does a good job on carb refurb too.
Nothing particularly 'wrong' with the 380, but overall I prefer the 550 to the other triples.
Check the fuel tap too. The reserve on 550 and 380 is the same as they have the same tank. Make sure the tap has similar stacks inside as that affects the reserve.
Proof that four strokes are over complicated
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Re: 550 V's 380
Those plugs do look okay but it's worth checking the exhaust's like you did with the 380. Clean all the baffles and get as much soot and crap out of the pipes as you can. Pay particular attention to the section where the downpipe meets the chamber as this can be severely restricted reducing power output.
NO SMOKE .......NO POKE
- PaulD738
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Re: 550 V's 380
Sell the 550 and get an early H1 Kawasaki, the best three cylinder two stroke on the planet
One of these days in gonna get myself one
One of these days in gonna get myself one
They're rubbish them Jap bikes lad they won't last five minutes! you want to get yourself a nice Royal Enfield!
A quote from my old dad
I started out with nothing and I’ve got most of it left!
A quote from my old dad
I started out with nothing and I’ve got most of it left!
- Alan H
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Re: 550 V's 380
And shares in NGK, BP, Reynolds and Delsey toilet rolls.......PaulD738 wrote:Sell the 550 and get an early H1 Kawasaki.
You'll not be doing long distance touring on it for certain.
Proof that four strokes are over complicated
- PaulD738
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Re: 550 V's 380
And that my little flower, is exactly why I want oneAlan H wrote:And shares in NGK, BP, Reynolds and Delsey toilet rolls.......PaulD738 wrote:Sell the 550 and get an early H1 Kawasaki.
They're rubbish them Jap bikes lad they won't last five minutes! you want to get yourself a nice Royal Enfield!
A quote from my old dad
I started out with nothing and I’ve got most of it left!
A quote from my old dad
I started out with nothing and I’ve got most of it left!
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Re: 550 V's 380
YES,I have to agree with Paul, I remember vividly riding the first H1,the white one with the blue flash on the tank, my God what an exciting machine at the time, tacho spun round to 5,500rpm & the World became a blur..I agree with Alan's comment about toilet rolesPaulD738 wrote:And that my little flower, is exactly why I want oneAlan H wrote:And shares in NGK, BP, Reynolds and Delsey toilet rolls.......PaulD738 wrote:Sell the 550 and get an early H1 Kawasaki.
Cheers.
Roger
GT750A.
Roger
GT750A.
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Re: 550 V's 380
A fresh set of pistons and porting as per Mr Stan Stevens in Classic Mechanics a couple of months back + new (light) expansion chambers and you will not recognize it. Stan the man's porting data was fairly mild and also reasonably easy to do without expensive porting tools.