Suzuki GS 550 L

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The Suzuki GS 550 L from the manufacturer Suzuki is a typical representative of the so-called soft chopper generation (built from 1979 to 1984). Derived from the successful and more sporty 550 E , the 550 L has an extended fork, a chopper handlebar, a smaller tank and a step bench. Shorter tailpipes and modified engine characteristics resulted in 35 kW and a top speed of around 160 km / h.

The 238 kg machine had an air-cooled 4-cylinder in-line engine with a roller-bearing crankshaft and two overhead, chain-operated camshafts . In the first years of construction, the mixture was prepared by means of four individual Mikuni VM22 piston slide carburetors; later, Mikuni also used constant pressure carburettors . The gear was shifted using a six-speed gearbox and the power was transmitted to the rear wheel via a standard O-ring chain. The "L", like its sporty sister, had the "E" and the touring variant "T" die-cast rims. The chassis in the torsion-resistant tubular steel frame was designed to be good-natured and willing to bend and was considered to be very good. Braking was carried out by means of a double disc brake system at the front and a disc on the rear wheel. The US models (GS 550 L) were limited to a disc at the front and a drum brake at the rear.

The early 4-cylinder Suzuki GS models and especially their variants with the DOHC engines (engines with two overhead camshafts) are considered to be very robust. One reason for this longevity is the use of a roller-bearing crankshaft, which provides sufficient lubrication at all times, even with the lowest pressure conditions or when the oil level is too low. Another reason is the fact that the Japanese engineers attached great importance to reliability when developing their first 4-stroke engine and thus allowed the unit a corresponding amount of material in the form of sufficient aluminum.

The L models of the GS series, especially in their "large" versions 750 L, 850 L and 850 GL (cardan drive), 1000 L and 1000 GL as well as 1100 L and 1100 GL, enjoyed great popularity especially on the US market which also explains its long construction time. The end of the GS series is the futuristically styled GSX 1100 Katana.