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Custom Suzuki GT550 Blends Classic Two-Stroke Glory and Modern Components

Modified two-strokes aren’t exactly a common sight these days, so coming across one such venture is always delightful!
Suzuki GT550 11 photos
Photo: Motohangar
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The custom undertaking we’ll be analyzing today hails from Virginia’s Motohangar – an ambitious enterprise with some genuine talent at work on its premises. For a clear demonstration of their remarkable abilities, let’s proceed with a closer examination of the crew’s accomplishments on a weary 1975 model from Suzuki’s GT550 lineup, shall we?

Within its steel frame, the donor carries a two-stroke inline-three powerplant that boasts a respectable displacement of 543cc. At approximately 7,500 rpm, this feral piece of Japanese machinery will gladly deliver up to 48 untamed horses. Furthermore, the air-cooled beast is fully capable of generating as much as 39 pound-feet (53 Nm) of crushing torque at 6,000 rpm.

A five-speed constant mesh transmission is tasked with handing the engine’s force over to the rear 18-inch wheel by means of a chain final drive. Ultimately, this state of affairs enables the GT550 to reach a respectable top speed of 111 mph (178 kph). To be fair, Suzuki’s two-stroke warrior is no speed demon, but we can probably all agree that it was one competent motorcycle during the ‘70s.

As to Motohangar’s bespoke work of two-wheeled art, the moto artists kicked things off in the bodywork department, where they’ve discarded the standard items to make way for a selection of custom alternatives. The original fuel tank was retained, but the factory subframe has been replaced with a one-off module that supports the machine’s new seat and tail section.

Up front, suspension duties are taken good care of by a 2005 GSX-R600's forks, while an ‘06 SV650’s swingarm and three-spoke wheel were transplanted onto the bike’s rear end. The twin shock absorbers were removed in favor of a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R's monoshock setup. Last but not least, we spot a unique exhaust system that’s been heat-wrapped and powder-coated for good measure.

Motohangar’s pros completed this fascinating project over the course of eight painstaking months, and the result certainly speaks for itself. What’s your take on this whole shebang?
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About the author: Silvian Secara
Silvian Secara profile photo

A bit of an artist himself, Silvian sees two- and four-wheeled machines as a form of art, especially restomods and custom rides. Oh, and if you come across a cafe racer article on our website, it’s most likely his doing.
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