The Suzuki GS550M Katana was a 1981 motorcycle with a four-stroke, transverse four-cylinder, DOHC, 2 valve per cylinder engine and a capacity of 549 cc / 33.5 cu in. It had 4 x 34mm Mikuni carburetors, an electric start, 6-speed transmission, and chain final drive. With a maximum power of 40 kW/53.7 hp at 9400 RPM and a maximum torque of 41 Nm/4.4 kgf-m/32lb-ft at 8200 RPM, it could reach a top speed of 167 km/h or 104 mph. The front suspension consisted of 35 mm air-assisted forks that were two-way spring preload adjustable, while the rear suspension featured dual shocks that were spring preload and rebound damping adjustable. The front brakes had two 275mm discs and a single-piston caliper, while the rear brake was a single drum. The bike had a seat height of 740 mm/29.1 in, a ground clearance of 160 mm/6.3 in, and a wet weight of 215 kg/452 lbs. It had a fuel capacity of 22 liters/5.8 US gal/4.8 imp gal and a consumption average of 5.7 L/100 km / 17.4 km/l / 41 US mpg / 49.2 Imp mpg.
Technical specifications:
Make Model: Suzuki GS 550M Katana
| Year | 1981 |
|---|---|
| Engine | Four stroke, transverse four cylinders, DOHC, 2 valve per cylinder. |
| Capacity | 549 cc / 33.5 cu in |
| Bore x Stroke | 56 x 55.8 mm |
| Cooling System | Air cooled |
| Compression Ratio | 8.6:1 |
| Lubrication | Wet sump |
| Induction | 4 x 34mm Mikuni carburetors |
| Ignition | Transistorized |
| Ignition Timing | 15 o BTDC below 1500 rpm / 40 o BTDC above 2350 rpm |
| Spark Plug | B8ES NGK, N60R for real performance |
| Battery | 12V 14Ah |
| Starting | Electric |
| Max Power | 40 kW / 53.7 hp @ 9400 rpm |
| Max Torque | 41 Nm / 4.4 kgf-m / 32lb-ft @ 8200 rpm |
| Clutch | Multiplate, wet |
| Transmission | 6 Speed |
| Final Drive | Chain, Daido D.I.D 530 ‘O’ Ring, approx. 100 links |
| Primary Reduction | 1.977:1 (87/44) |
| Final Reduction | 3.400:1 (51/15 – UK) / 3.267:1 (49/15 – US) / 3.333:1 (50/15 – Italy) |
| Gear Ratio | 1st 2.666 / 2nd 1.777 / 3th 1.380 / 4th 1.173 / 5th 1.045 / 5th 0.956:1 |
| Front Suspension | 35 mm Air assisted forks, 2-way spring preload adjustable |
| Front Wheel Travel | 145 mm / 5.7 in |
| Rear Suspension | Dual shocks, adjustable spring preload and rebound damping |
| Rear Wheel Travel | 85 mm / 2.2 in |
| Front Brakes | 2 x 275mm discs, 1 piston calipers |
| Rear Brakes | Single drum |
| Front Tyre | 3.25-19 |
| Rear Tyre | 3.75-18 |
| Dimensions | Length 2100 mm / 82.7 in Width 720 mm / 28.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 1435 mm / 56.5 in |
| Seat Height | 740 mm / 29.1 in |
| Ground Clearance | 160 mm / 6.3 in |
| Wet Weight | 215 kg / 452 lbs |
| Fuel Capacity | 22 Litres / 5.8 US gal / 4.8 Imp gal |
| Reserve | 4.0 Litres / 1.1 US gal / 0.88 Imp gal |
| Consumption Average | 5.7 L/100 km / 17.4 km/l / 41 US mpg / 49.2 Imp mpg |
| Top Speed | 167 km/h / 104 mph |
