1978 and 1979 parts swap

[skoolbustom]

I have a 78 gs550 and can get a 79 gs550 to use as a parts bike. Are most the parts the same? is there any differences i should be worried about? are tehre any parts that will not work? thanks guys

[hampshirehog]

Just about eveything will swap straight over. May be a few things e.g. wiring loom that may be slightly different but nothing that can't be easily adapted.

[skoolbustom]

can the fuel tank and gauges be swapped? my 78 does not have a fuel gauge and i would like to have one... which this 79 has.

[Nessism]

Fuel tank (with sending unit) from the L model bikes will not fit on an E frame.

[skoolbustom]

the vin is GS550E722640 does that mean it is an E model and not an L model?

[Nessism]

Only the L model has a fuel gauge in 1979 so not sure what you are refering to.

[skoolbustom]

oh ok sorry. is the rest of the motor the same? i did notice the carbs were different tho.

[Nessism]

oh ok sorry. is the rest of the motor the same? i did notice the carbs were different tho.

The carbs should be the same if the bike is a '79, the carbs changed in 1980.

[skoolbustom]

ok well i thought id post some a couple pictures and maybe you guys can help me figure out what kind of bike this actually is. From what what the guy is telling me and the title it all says its a 79 GS550. I belive it is a 79 GS550LN. But it has different carbs then the 78 gs550EC i have.

here is a pic of the carbs off the "79"...


here is a pic of the carbs from my 78 when i got it (i dont think the hoses are in the right spot??)...


here is a pic of the whole "79" bike...


here is a pic of the whole 78 bike (the bike is missing the seat now and the part that is bungied to the back)...


well hopefully you guys can help me out. also, which bike would be better to fix up? i know both are in bad shape but is one better than the other? just thinking about it... it might not have the original motor in it... who knows.

[hampshirehog]

The motor in the '79 bike is from a 1980 bike. Will swap over - basically the head / carbs / airbox were the significant differences that appeared in 1980 plus loss of the kickstart.

Personally, I'd do up the '78 bike - I like kickstarts and spoked wheels (though you could swap these bits over).