How do you determine submodel?

[Guest]

I recently purchased an '85 GS550.
I have been trying to figure out the sub-model and i get as far as the year make and model.

How do you guys know whether or not using my bike as an example whether it is a:
550EF
550ES3
550ESE
550ESF
550ESG
or
550L

If you guys could help me out with this, i would greatly appreciate it.
I believe it would also be helpful to other current and future members.

[Charlie G]

There should be a sticker on the head stock which label it a 550 l, e, ect. A picture would help.

cg

[SVSooke]

An 85 GS550 would be a model year F.An E would be a sports model with a fork mounted 1/4 fairing,the ES would have a frame mounted 1/2 fairing and an EF would have a full fairing.The L would be a cruiser with a small tank,pullback bars and stepped seat.There used to be a model decoder in the homepage info section but with the recent changes it's gone for now

[cowboyup3371]

Frank is still working on the section of the site that has the information you are looking for. However, one way to rule out the L is its severely stepped seat. Additionally, the bars are pulled back further and the forks will have a leading axle.

[edgeofvamp]

If it helps, i have pictures posted here:

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?229457-New-GS-owner-from-Wyoming

It is the green bike still in the back of my suburban, the weather here just got good enough to pull it out. I just need to get a couple people to help unload it. I hope in the interim, the couple teaser pics help.

[SVSooke]

LOL I looked at the first pics and went WTH that's an 1100. Fortunately I scrolled down to find the 85 550E pics,there's your question answered

[edgeofvamp]

LOL SVSooke,
Yeah now you can see why i specified the green bike.
Thank you for the "E" indication, so now i just need to find the remaining letters. Partially for the purpose of knowing and partially for the local suzuki dealer. They seem convinced that i need to know the specific lettering to trace parts that are free formed to almost all E models from what i can tell by the online parts blowups.
I am just ensuring that they have common seals and filters on hand closer than the internet.

[Steve]

Thank you for the "E" indication, so now i just need to find the remaining letters. Partially for the purpose of knowing and partially for the local suzuki dealer.

Any dealership (stealership) that knows anything about Suzukis will know that the '85 models were "F", so the complete designation for your bike would be ... GS550EF.

If your stealership does not know that, you KNOW you don't want to have them work on your bike. Chances are that they won't work on it anyway, because it's too old.

.

[edgeofvamp]

Yeah, i never let others touch my things. I just like to know i have parts on hand in a pinch locally-instead of 3+ days away on the internet.
I prefer to do my own work, that way i can take pride in the work and have the comfort of knowing exactly what was done.

[Steve]

Please let us know where this dealer is that has these parts IN STOCK.

We have our favorite OEM vendors online, but parts take an average of two weeks. First, the dealer has to gather enough orders to meet their minimum order with the Suzuki warehouse. Then, they place their order and it takes several days to get there. Finally, they re-package your parts and they take several days to get to you.

NOBODY has them in stock.

.