Setscrew valve adjustments

[Ronbayless]

I have been on and off this forum for over 20 years. I want to know which year the gs bikes changed from shims to setscrew locknut valve adjustment. I will buy a 750,850, 1000 or 1100 depending on that. Was it 82 and newer?

[Rich82GS750TZ]

You can tell by the shape of the valve cover end caps:
Round-8 valve- shim on bucket.
Rectangular -16 valve- screw adjusters.

750 changed in 1980 except for the odd non-uS shaft drive model.

850 are all shaft drive and all 8 valve.

1000 are all 8 valve (I think) - edit (1982 Katana GS1000SZ was 16valves w/ screw adjusters)

1100. Depends if shaft drive or not. (all shaft drive models are 8 valve)

If in doubt, look at the end caps.

[rphillips]

Pretty dang close Rich, But don't forget the old one yr. only "82" GS"1000"SZ Katana? 4V pr. cyl. and setscrew and locknut adjusters.

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Yeah, that's the one I was thinking about when I wrote "(I think)" but my Katana knowledge is lacking.

[Nessism]

I like shim and bucket. These bikes have greatly extended valve guide life, because there is no side load when the valve is actuated. They hold their adjustment extremely well also. Shim and bucket is very popular with auto engines for these reasons.

Suzuki shims are on top of the bucket and easy to change. Most other bikes have the shim under the bucket, and those suck for adjustment, because the cams must come out to adjust the lash.

[salty_monk]

Most Suzuki’s wear so slowly that’s it’s definitely not something I worry about… once I’ve done a couple of checks and know it’s settled I’d be quite happy doing 20.000 miles adjustments on the shim under bucket ones personally.