1978 GS550E

[wyomech]

Bought this bike cheap and in fairly good condition. Has the dual point set up. I have a Clymer manual from when I owned a GS750, so tried to set the points at those specs...then couldn't mentally challenged the timing enough. What IS the correct setting?

Also, what are the correct valve clearances for this bike?

[MTL]

Don't know, but this site has about the best collection of info on different bikes I've found. If they don't have the manual you need, someone probably knows the answers you look for.

http://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=41567

[poppygene]

Try visiting thegsresources.com. It's a great site for owners of the older GS series bikes. I'm sure they have what you need.

[9000white]

1977--1979-GS550 point gap--.3-.4 mm--.012--.016
timing 17 degrees btdc.

[wyomech]

Thanks for the information on the point gap. Do you have the clearances for the valves, too?

[9000white]

1977--1982 intake and exhaust--.03--.08 mm--.001---.003.
the gs 550 has shim over bucket adjustment.you can do it without pulling camshaft.there is a tool made to push the bucket down and get the shim out.
i put 40000 miles on one and checked the clearance every 5000 miles--never needed any adjustment.if you remove cam cover do not throw away the gasket and use sealant in its place the tachometer drive gear will not have enough clearance it is in the camcover.this lesson was learned tearfully.

[wyomech]

Thanks again. When I set the points, cleaned the plugs and synced the carbs, I started the bike with one of the vacuum screw-plugs (#4) left out.....I felt a "chuffing" at that port, as if the intake valve wasn't sealing quite right. That's why I want to make sure the valves setting is A-okay.

The bike has 22,000 on it, so I doubt it needs major work, but I'd like to get it running as close to perfect as my skills allow.