Description
This Canadian import 1973 GT550 K Indy is now 51 years old, one owner since 1988 (ca. 70% of its road career). 36 climate-controlled years later ... the bike is for sale.
The GT was purchased August 20th 1988 to serve as my transportation while at university from 1988 until 1992. It covered numerous kilometres between Toronto, Kingston and Quebec City, the U. S. east coast. It curved along the famous highway #1, along the most easterly coast road from Boston, north through Maine, north to Prince Edward Island. During the 3 years I lived in England, the GT550 K was shipped to London in 1997 where it was inspected and registered for road use. In 1999, it cruised along for its next adventure to Zürich, Switzerland where it has remained for the past 25 years. In 2006 the motorcycle was 100% fully refurbished by me, replacing all the necessary engine parts (with NOS) needed for maintaining a typical 2-stroke engine – total restoration ca. CHF 4’000. The 550-cc three-cylinder provides the best part of 50 horsepower, which can whisk you to the far side of 165 kms - not shabby for the early 1970s. The Indy soon earned a reputation as a reliable and lively bike, equally adept at touring or spirited canyon-carving as proven in Switzerland. As per online research, Suzuki sold around 14, 000 units for the 1973 model year.
Additional details:
- 36 years of service history documents
- Full restoration in 2006, annual kilometer average of 278km per year since
- Fully registered in Switzerland. Next inspection due 2025
- Sympathetically restored including new wiring loom, full engine rebuild, rear swingarm Rolls Royce plated (nickel) powder coated black, Front/ Back shocks refurbished, rebore and pistons, full crank refurb, new bearings, crank shaft seals, oil seals and gaskets all replaced
- New tires with < 250kms of use
- Last commercially available (globally) NOS pipes – purchased in CH and installed in 2000 – no dents or scrapes, no pitting
- Last commercially available (globally) NOS Speedo/ Tach – Purchased new in 1997, London
- Professionally hand painted tank here in Zürich, design true to its 1973 motif - Paintwork in metallic Lime Green with forest green / white trim swoosh. New Petcock gasket o-ring installed. Original paint code sourced, spray painted head lamp, 2 side covers, tank, two front fork lamp brackets, new tank + side logos
- No leaks (tank or carbs)
- Since 1988, always stored indoors on center kick-stand. During my ownership there were 3 hiatus's:
• 1994 – 1997
• 2002 – 2004
• 2016 – 2023
36 years of document history, loads of invoices
- Frame is very clean, original since 1973
- Engine crankcase maintained and polished over the years
- Carburetors ultrasonically cleaned and rebuilt 2006, new floats, pins, carb rebuild kits installed, new gaskets
- K&N cone filters. Original OEM air cleaner stored in box
- Rims - original spokes, no corrosion
- Front brake hydraulic cable replaced 2002
- NOS genuine Suzuki front brake hose installed 2006
- Original genuine tool kit bag set, wrench, screwdriver etc
- NOS genuine Kickstarter lever pedal
- Brake pads/ linings replaced 2006
- Seat cover is NOT original. Current spec is brown leather (rawhide) installed 1989, Mink oiled over the years with a rich, weathered patina appearance
- Only NOS (original) Suzuki parts were fitted over the years
Treasure trove of documents dating back to 1975
- Original SUZUKI tuning catalogue with exploded views of engine and wiring looms
- SUZUKI Service Bulletin – August 15th 1975
- Mikuni VM Round-slides Carburetor catalogue
- Stacks of service + parts purchase history back to 1988
- Original odometer with approximately 32’500 miles is in a box. Replacement NOS speedo (new) installed ca 1997 with ca. 5’021 km.
Not working / needs attention:
- Electric start function – the gear teeth sheared on the motor armature years ago, kick started ever since. I have a 2 replacement motors (Nippon Denso) 1 new/ 1 used + back up starter gear (1-way) if needed
Treasure trove of SPARES - new / NOS / 2nd hand parts to be sold with the GT550 – see photo
- Original pipes, relatively rust free, with all 4 baffles - removed during year 2000, stored indoors, scruff on 1 side
- 2 starter motors (Nippon Denso) + starter fly-wheel (NOT in photo, sorry)
- Too many parts to list – briefly – new GT380 speedo (purchased in error), original air filter, 2 rear shocks, front brake rim, 4 spare signals, spare fuel cock + rubber seals/ filters, front brake caliper, 2 X set of exhaust compression gaskets, carb float + body, rear lens, loads of gaskets, seals, inox screws / bolts, switches.
Location: Zürich
Any questions please email / call – note: bike is advertised elsewhere and will be removed if sold. Thank you!The favourite thing about this bike is the wonderful sound of a triple. It has gone everywhere with me since 1988!
