? gs850, gs850g, gs850gl, how do I determine model

[Anonymous]

I just picked up a 1979 gs850 30,000 miles on it, needs some carb work and some little things here and there but pretty solid none the less. My question is how do I determine what model 850 I have, the side covers simply say gs850, where can I look on the bike to find a more complete description, or is this simply a gs model? Thanks all.

walkerdigital@aol.com

[shaftzuki]

First place to look would be behind the headlight on the headstock - there should be a label affixed with the VIN number etc., it may give you the complete designation. Other than that you have to use visual clues - is it a shaft or a chain?? Does it have a flat or a stepped seat (not sure if the 850 was ever chain driven) ...

If it's a shaft driven bike then it's designated as an gs850g - if it has the stepped seat of the cruiser style bike, then its designated as the gs850gl or maybe the gs850l.

Go to the home page and select the Gallery - look through the pictures and see if you can find a similar one. 8)

[shaftzuki]

And by the way - Welcome to the forum!! 8)

[Anonymous]

thanks

thanks for the info and the welcome, gs850, shaft flat seat, and vin # helped me out thanks again.

[hoyterb]

Hi walkergs850 I also have a 79 GS850.It's a GS850GN.The N designates the year as 1979.If you need any answers just ask.There is a few of us that have GS850GN's and can help you with it specifically.The carbs are very easy to work on if you know a few "tricks"LOL
BTW-Welcome to the world of a Great Scooter !!! and GSR's

[Hotblack]

I have a '79 550 with a steering head that says it's an E, yet it has everything that makes an L an L - the leading axle forks, stepped seat, shorter exhaust, chrome rear fender, smaller tank... I wonder if other bikes might have such a discrepancy?

[TheNose]

The L has the front wheel attatched to the side of the front forks, while the non-L model has the front wheel attatched on the end of the forks. Most likely you have GS850 if that's what the side covers say, otherwise they would say GS850L.

Terry

[Redman]

If its a '79 GS850, then according to the model chart elsewhere on this GSResource site it is an G, was only Gs in 78 & 79. GLs first year was '80.
Were also other changes in 80, namely the ignition became solid state and the carbs became CV.