Anna. Or Annanother GT550.......

[Alan H]

First bit copied from annanother thread (geddit?!?!)

I'm sure that by now, anyone with a working brain cell will have worked out that the Hippo has moved to 'Dartford' and will now have to get used to a few different things - like getting polished, not being ridden as much, and a diff'rent vernacular (innit?!)
But there again, Big H will have a gentle retirement and I know that Frank(ibaby) will look after the old girl.
I have part swapped the GT550B that used to pose in the shed where big H now calls home, and via Baz's, as a slight detour, now lives in South Yorkshire. (501 miles round trip ffs!)
Now on a diet of semi synth 2T oil, Northern high octane beer petrol and being ridden regularly, Anna - (annanother GT550) will be used regularly and enjoyed. Timing now sorted, I have some extra bits to add to personalise the bike. Off with the squeaky standard horn and a BFO 'gerroutthef'kinway' loud as f'k thing instead fitted, a proper led head light (soon) and a trip to Squires tomorrow, hopefully to annoy the purists. Other bits to follow in another thread when I get round to it. More pics 'soon'.
And yes, I do miss Hippo, it's been here 6 years with a rebuild and 'issues' sorted by Baz and his acolytes, but with my knackered calf muscle and achilles tendon, just too heavy to move about easily easily. Will I miss the old girl? Definitely yes, a completely different beast to ride and although a better tourer with panniers, topbox, tankbag etc. not so much chuckability as the 550s.
Look after her Frank, and get a few miles on. They'll either lover her or hate her.
Will I miss the old girl. Oh yes, but easier on the knackered leg now!

[Alan H]

Well, I p/x'd Frank's 550B for BH, but so far, not had much chance to personalise the bike as it's been a bit busy recently....
A 501 mile round trip to Dartford - via the OK Diner A1 southbound after Newark to Frank's place, then via Baz's in Brum to home, and lots of other 'stuff' in the meantime means that there hasn't been much time than introducing the 550s - Yeti, Earwig and now Anna. They seem to be getting on well anyway.......
I've sorted the timing out on Anna - (AnnanotherGT550) - so although starting is a bit better, running certainly is - Givi base now fitted on the rack, and the led headlamp ready for fitting. The bike is vey shiny currently, but I'll soon sort that out and with a (getafkoutatheway) horn fitted will be more suited to local riding quite soon. Hopefully a run to Squires tomorrow will help clear the smeggy crap out of the exhausts too.

Must admit, it's good (and slightly strange) having 3 x GT550s in the garage - an almost standard J, a very non standard A and the newby B, but all so very different. More updates soon, hopefully.

[Frankibaby7]

alan I’m sure you will have Anna looking how you like it , and obviously upsetting the purists ha ha ha , be great to see how Anna evolves , with 3 x gt550s you certainly will be the orical for anyone with one lol
I would have liked to have made the rally but don’t think it will happen, but I will come up one day to squires for a nose alan ….. cheers mate

[Alan H]

58 miles done on Thursday couldn't see behind until the fog cleared! I think Anna enjoyed strong Yorkshire petrol and a 'spanking'...
A few jobs to sort, but well happy. Nice bike.

[Frankibaby7]

see told you it was a good bike , just needed someone know knows what they are doing an no I haven’t riden it yet ha ha

[Alan H]

You ain't seen the job list yet!!!!
Still happy tho'.

[Frankibaby7]

oh no is there much to do alan oh ok alan hope it’s not too much to get it roadworthy young man , I’m sure it won’t be too much for a man of your talents alan

[Alan H]

A few alterations and the front wheel rebalanced allowed an increase from top gear rpm of 5000 to 6500 without wheel bounce, but I might have to change the name to 'Loom' as it now does a slow weave at speed!! Checks on swing arm bearings might be needed!!!
Changed the gearchange led, and now the bike appears to have an 8 speed box when in 1st or neutral, and a 6 speed box when in any other gear. Mr. Canneloni sent another display to try, but it might be the switch, so that's a job for another day. Front brake is a bit squealy, but that should be cured with a squirt of wd40 I reckon....
Replaced the speedo cable and rerouted speedo & tacho cables with some of the wiring looms and clutch cable for better placement and aesthetic benefits too.
I adjusted the standard horn so it was at least audible, but it's gone back to a mere mousey squeek, so twin tones to fit there. B indicators to fit when they are polished up too.No end to it is there?.......
Runs well to 8000 rpm nicely though, now the fog has cleared. I reckon the bike has done more miles in the last month than it did in the past 3 years - and a good bit faster too!

From the top two;

20220715_114243.jpg

20220715_114219.jpg

To this,

20220715_114149.jpg

[asco58]

Looks Good

[Alan H]

Annanother list of changes....(see what I did there)!)
Changed the early style indicators for 'B style' indicators. They aren't genuine ones, so it'll still upset the purists hopefully, although they do tend to keep away after our first chat for some reason!
Changed the gearchange indicator display - after making sure it actually works - and of course it does (thanks Kev) but it appears the switch might need the contacts cleaning as 3rd & 4th only display as I'm changing up to the next gear.
The fuel tap decided to go incontinent, so I bought a couple of these - ebay 234560236751 - fits most GS models (and GTs too) it appears, and less than £25 for two. Fitted & leak free. I have some nice chrome headlamp ear tops & bottoms to fit for a bit of bling, then I'll paint the ears as well - just a boring satin black 'cos that's what's in the cupboard......
Had the tank cap off and stopped that leaking too, but unfortunately not before the tank lacquer was upset, so it might need a respray, or not if it cleans up something like.
Still runs nice, but I'm not sure that I need 3 (very different) 550s, so what to do next?