My 550a 1976

Here you can post a picture of you and your bike. Also where you are located and if you are prepared to give local kettle owners some of your time and experience.Please don't do discussions here just some facts about yourself. This was Glens idea! Thanks BAZ
vulcanman
Posts: 10
Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2021 5:53 pm

My 550a 1976

Post by vulcanman »

20210408_155643.jpg
User avatar
canaletto5
Posts: 5228
Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2013 8:43 pm
Location: Derbyshire

Re: My 550a 1976

Post by canaletto5 »

Lovely looking bike.Whereabouts are you buddy? Kev
vulcanman
Posts: 10
Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2021 5:53 pm

Re: My 550a 1976

Post by vulcanman »

Hi Kev ,sunny East Sussex.have had a B120,GT250 ram ,GT380B and GT750A .this came up via a mate in 2020 .sadly destroyed its top end in Feb this year due to head studs pulling out despite re torque .spent a fair bit and now running in again.bores new Nikasil,new piston kit and gaskets from Grampians and then plenty of loctite on head studs and a careful re build .have had many other bikes but still go back to the 70,s .
vulcanman
Posts: 10
Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2021 5:53 pm

Re: My 550a 1976

Post by vulcanman »

20200706_102601.jpg
And its Bob .got a VFR750 mk 1 1987 too.sold my SV 1000 last year as too quick for an old man!
20200706_102601.jpg
vulcanman
Posts: 10
Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2021 5:53 pm

Re: My 550a 1976

Post by vulcanman »

Have 2 pics 🤣
User avatar
Harrymail
Posts: 639
Joined: Thu Jul 07, 2016 8:35 pm
Location: East Yorkshire

Re: My 550a 1976

Post by Harrymail »

Welcome to the group. You have certainly had a bit of fun getting your 550 fettled. Hopefully it will be trouble free now :)

Paul
Currently without a GT, but looking
2003 Yamaha Fazer 600 Blue
2020 Triumph Street Twin Red
1968 BSA Bantam Sports Red
vulcanman
Posts: 10
Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2021 5:53 pm

Re: My 550a 1976

Post by vulcanman »

Yes its been bit of a mare but wasnt giving up.needed to isolate why it happened .thoughts to start with were oil but ruled that out after testing pump /lines .then top head studs which were effectively falling out .they had no fixing on them.this caused head to blow badly and it happened fast .lessons learnt .be checking head torque at 250 miles and again until im happy no movement .have just done 1st 100 miles and no movement at all .spend has put a hole in my plan to purchase Higgspeed pipes so i can save n store my std pipes .Bob
User avatar
canaletto5
Posts: 5228
Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2013 8:43 pm
Location: Derbyshire

Re: My 550a 1976

Post by canaletto5 »

Just finished the resto on my black 550. Never ridden one before and very impressed
IMAG0804.jpg
IMAG0804.jpg (24.38 KiB) Viewed 410 times
vulcanman
Posts: 10
Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2021 5:53 pm

Re: My 550a 1976

Post by vulcanman »

Perfect Kev ,almost identical to mine . You will love the ride .more go than a 380 and doesnt have the bulk of a Kettle .they are a great middle weight of the era and still a joy to ride .
vulcanman
Posts: 10
Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2021 5:53 pm

Re: My 550a 1976

Post by vulcanman »

Yours certainly more highly polished than mine ! Looks fab
Post Reply