trying to find spark plug order

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  • GruntedGS
    • Jan 2026

    #1

    trying to find spark plug order

    Hey guys, I have a 1983 GS1100E and i had done some rebuilding and forgot the order of firing process. can someone tell me which plugs goto which wires? is there a picture somewhere? lol
  • Guest

    #2
    Looking from the riding position, No.1 is on the left then 2,3,4.

    The firing order is typically 1,3,4,2

    If you are just wanting to connect the HT cables to the plugs then it's just 1 to the left, then 2 then 3 and 4.

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    • GruntedGS

      #3
      well then. lol. I wouldnt have thought it would be that easy. thank you.

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      • Guest

        #4
        To add to it, the left coil feeds 1 and 4, the right coil 2 and 3.


        Mark

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        • bwringer
          Forum LongTimer
          Bard Award Winner
          GSResource Superstar
          Past Site Supporter
          Super Site Supporter
          • Oct 2003
          • 17066
          • Indianapolis

          #5
          Just to add to the general confusion (or perhaps clear it up), a 4-cylinder GS uses a "wasted spark" ignition.

          1 and 4 fire together on each revolution of the crankshaft and 2 and 3 fire together 180 degrees later.

          When 1 is on the ignition cycle, 4 is on the exhaust cycle. The spark in 1 ignites the mixture, but the spark in 4 doesn't do anything at all. Same for 2 and 3.

          The reason for all these extra sparks is that it greatly simplifies the ignition system -- there's no need to have a distributor or any moving parts, although you do need two coils instead of one. Other than a slightly increased rate of wear on the plugs, there isn't much downside.
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          • GruntedGS

            #6
            thats quite simplistic. this is a good reason to own one of these. lol

            Comment

            • Guest

              #7
              Originally posted by GruntedGS
              thats quite simplistic. this is a good reason to own one of these. lol
              It's not unique to Suzuki, pretty much every inline 4 motorcycle engine manufactured in the last 40 years or more has used this set up. It is light, simple and robust so everyone sticks with it.


              Mark

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              • hannibal
                Forum Sage
                • Jun 2015
                • 1033
                • Washington DC

                #8
                Tons of cars used wasted spark setups. Even after electronic ignitions debuted, some systems still used a wasted spark for cost savings.
                Jordan

                1977 Suzuki GS750 (My first bike)
                2000 Kawasaki ZRX1100
                1973 BMW R75/5

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