83 gs650gt swingarm question

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  • Southernyooper
    • Jan 2026

    #1

    83 gs650gt swingarm question

    I tried my best to search for this answer but couldn't find anything. I'm restoring an 83 gs650g and I am not sure as how I remove the swing arm. It has a nut and in the center it looks like an allen is also needed. I have a manual, but it says it would need a dealer. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
  • Guest

    #2
    Originally posted by Southernyooper
    I tried my best to search for this answer but couldn't find anything. I'm restoring an 83 gs650g and I am not sure as how I remove the swing arm. It has a nut and in the center it looks like an allen is also needed. I have a manual, but it says it would need a dealer. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
    Is that the owners manual? Or a repair manual?

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    • Southernyooper

      #3
      Repair. It has everything in it. I've disassembled the entire bike using it. It's just, this swing arm. I'm not the most mechanically inclined person, so maybe I'm over thinking something.

      Comment

      • Guest

        #4
        Originally posted by Southernyooper
        Repair. It has everything in it. I've disassembled the entire bike using it. It's just, this swing arm. I'm not the most mechanically inclined person, so maybe I'm over thinking something.
        Hmm, should be a section just for that.

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        • Southernyooper

          #5
          Perhaps I've missed it, but once it mentioned swing arm removal, it said would need a dealer. Otherwise, i couldnt find it.

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          • BigD_83
            Forum Sage
            Past Site Supporter
            • May 2011
            • 4872
            • Vancouver

            #6
            I had a quick look at the shop manual, and it is as vague as can be when it comes to swingarm removal. I haven't done that with the 650 yet, and I really can't picture what is involved. I think there might be a special tool involved, something akin to a bearing puller.
            '83 GS650G
            '83 GS550es (didn't like the colours in the 80's, but they've grown on me)

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            • Southernyooper

              #7
              Right!? Well, anyway thanks for the input

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              • Steve
                GS Whisperer
                • Jun 2005
                • 35924
                • southwest oHIo

                #8
                It has been a while since I have had to do anything with the swingarm, I can't remember if there is a locknut arrangement or not. Might have to loosen the locknut, then use a large Allen wrench to remove the two pivots. Not sure why a dealer would need to be involved, it's just a couple of pivots that hold tapered roller bearings in place.

                Also curious, why do you call it an " '83 GS650GT"? The "T" at the end is for the '80 model year, and the 650 did not appear until the '81 model year.
                The '83 model designation was "D", so you should have a GS650GD or an '83 GS650G, but it's redundant to say both, the '83 and the D.

                .
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                • Southernyooper

                  #9
                  Typo, sorry.

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                  • Southernyooper

                    #10
                    Thanks, I'll try that. Just had questions before I tackled it.

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                    • BigD_83
                      Forum Sage
                      Past Site Supporter
                      • May 2011
                      • 4872
                      • Vancouver

                      #11
                      Our 650s do have a GT model designation in the same trim, but in the European market. As far as I can see, the only difference was the "T" on the sidecovers.
                      '83 GS650G
                      '83 GS550es (didn't like the colours in the 80's, but they've grown on me)

                      Comment

                      • Charlie G
                        Forum Guru
                        Past Site Supporter
                        Super Site Supporter
                        • Feb 2009
                        • 6440
                        • Siskiyou county

                        #12
                        Originally posted by Steve
                        It has been a while since I have had to do anything with the swingarm, I can't remember if there is a locknut arrangement or not. Might have to loosen the locknut, then use a large Allen wrench to remove the two pivots. Not sure why a dealer would need to be involved, it's just a couple of pivots that hold tapered roller bearings in place.

                        Also curious, why do you call it an " '83 GS650GT"? The "T" at the end is for the '80 model year, and the 650 did not appear until the '81 model year.
                        The '83 model designation was "D", so you should have a GS650GD or an '83 GS650G, but it's redundant to say both, the '83 and the D.

                        .
                        I just broke one apart a few months ago and like Steve states, you use an Allen wrench to back out the pivots which do engage bearings. The hearings on the bike I was doing were froze with rust. That made it a bit difficult to get apart.
                        sigpic
                        83 GS1100g
                        2006 Triumph Sprint ST 1050

                        Ohhhh!........Torque sweet Temptress.........always whispering.... a murmuring Siren

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                        • Charlie G
                          Forum Guru
                          Past Site Supporter
                          Super Site Supporter
                          • Feb 2009
                          • 6440
                          • Siskiyou county

                          #13
                          Originally posted by BigD_83
                          Our 650s do have a GT model designation in the same trim, but in the European market. As far as I can see, the only difference was the "T" on the sidecovers.
                          Exactly right in my research as well.
                          sigpic
                          83 GS1100g
                          2006 Triumph Sprint ST 1050

                          Ohhhh!........Torque sweet Temptress.........always whispering.... a murmuring Siren

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