Suzuki GS550M Katana (1981)

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.

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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