Have a 650GL. Year is an 81 according to the VIN.
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X .........
Z is 1982.
GS650GLX -
How did you determine it from the VIN?
If you look in the LOWER-right corner of the plate, it will have a letter at the end of the serial number.
If it is "X", it is an '81 model bike. If the letter is "Z", it is an '82 model.
Keep in mind, though, that the bikes for the '82 model year were assembled as early as August of '81,
so the production date in the UPPER-right corner might show an '81 there.
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mine: 2000 Honda GoldWing GL1500SE and 1980 GS850G'K' "Junior"
hers: 1982 GS850GL - "Angel" and 1969 Suzuki T250 Scrambler
#1 son: 1986 Yamaha Venture Royale 1300 and 1982 GS650GL "Rat Bagger"
#2 son: 1980 GS1000G
Family Portrait
Siblings and Spouses
Mom's first ride
Want a copy of my valve adjust spreadsheet for your 2-valve per cylinder engine? Send me an e-mail request (not a PM)
(Click on my username in the upper-left corner for e-mail info.)Comment
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The plate is gone. It didn't like the pressure washer. It did say 1981.
Good resource http://www.suzukicycles.org/_misc/identification.shtmlComment
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OK, "it said 1981", but where?
Did it have 1981 as a production date?
What month? As mentioned, almost half of the bikes that were assembled in 1981 were for the 1982 model year.
It would also help a bit if we knew the serial numbers of the frame and/or engine.
By the way, that "resource" is not quite accurate. It has the letters for '80, '81 and '82 as A, B and C, respectively. They were actually T, X and Z.
That site does have a LOT of good information, but the accuracy is not always 100%.
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mine: 2000 Honda GoldWing GL1500SE and 1980 GS850G'K' "Junior"
hers: 1982 GS850GL - "Angel" and 1969 Suzuki T250 Scrambler
#1 son: 1986 Yamaha Venture Royale 1300 and 1982 GS650GL "Rat Bagger"
#2 son: 1980 GS1000G
Family Portrait
Siblings and Spouses
Mom's first ride
Want a copy of my valve adjust spreadsheet for your 2-valve per cylinder engine? Send me an e-mail request (not a PM)
(Click on my username in the upper-left corner for e-mail info.)Comment
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The next model year has to start being built in the previous calendar year so they can be available for sale. The VIN was standardized starting for the 1981 model year. Most model years start around August the previous calendar year thought there can be some variance. But, the 10th digit in the vin is for the model year and doesn't always correspond with the build date.Comment
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What's the engine number stamped near clutch arm? And why do you care if it's X or Z ?1981 gs650L
"We are all born ignorant, but you have to work hard to stay stupid" Ben FranklinComment
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Some ask x or z when ordering parts. So don't want to order the wrong parts or spend more time than I have to crossing parts numbersComment
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Base on the VIN and master cylinder, is an x.
I guess a quick and dirty way to telll would be wether the master cylinder reservoir is round or square.Comment
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Reservoir could have got swapped. Not a lot of differences- critical one is valve cover gasket got additional bolt (front of camchain tunnel side opposite tach drive)- some parts fiches are wrong/unclear
My engine # 104549- early model made 3/ 80 or 81 ? ( can't read year). I test road one in Sept 81Last edited by tom203; 04-15-2014, 11:56 AM.1981 gs650L
"We are all born ignorant, but you have to work hard to stay stupid" Ben FranklinComment
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