Help Me Identify My Calipers and Pads?

[dandypop]

I've got a 1983 GS850G that seems to have some "other year" parts on it. The brake calipers are round where the piston is, unlike the service manuals all show. I ordered new pads and they definitely do not fit. I think they night be from a GS1100? Here's a photo for any sleuths out there that might know. Thanks in advance for any advice!

[dandypop]

It would only let me post one image, probably because I'm a newbie. Here's the brake pads (bottom ones fit):

[Nessism]

There are three different types of GS pads: round type, 1979 and earlier (FA35), FA65, which have ears off the edge of the pads (the lower set in your photo), and FA51, which have ears raised above the top edge of the pad (the top set in your photo)

Use whatever set fits your particular calipers.

[dandypop]

Thank you so much, Ed!

[salty_monk]

Also to note are the ones you’ve got fitted I think require the matching older rotors (no slots) to work from memory so take a good look at it if you have slotted rotors… maybe it’s only the other way they don’t work.

All of the later calipers are superior to those round pad ones.
perhaps a crash led to a complete front end replacement (83 should also have a 2.15 wide front rim as opposed to a 1.85 and be tubeless).

if you’re after more power, the G model (not the GL) can be upgraded easily enough to twin pot calipers and bigger rotors.

[dandypop]

It seems like maybe someone swapped the front end. Here’s a photo with the calipers and also the weird forks without an air charge fitting. I’ve been confused for months on that.

[dandypop]

[Nessism]

Those forks look to be from an L model bike. Later type. Those are fine. Make sure you have some high moly caliper grease, for the sliding pins. Looks like someone already replace the brake lines, so that's good. You might want to pop out one of the caliper pistons, to see if the calipers are likewise rebuilt. Crud likes to collect inside, from corrosion.

[dandypop]

I rebuilt all the calipers (front and back) already! They were nasty.

[salty_monk]

I think those forks are the 82 or 83 GL model. I think there’s rebound adjustment on the bottom of the fork legs.

that would make sense as those brakes match…

[dandypop]

Salty, you are correct. I hear a little air squeezing out from the top bolts on the forks. I assume I need to seal them up somehow?

[Rob S.]

Most people just discard the air system entirely and make do with sufficiently stiff straight rate springs.

[Grimly]

Salty, you are correct. I hear a little air squeezing out from the top bolts on the forks. I assume I need to seal them up somehow?

Look down the top of the hole at the fork top cap. Can you see a plain screwdriver slot?
If so, those are adjustable pre-sets, but they also incorporate an o-ring air seal, which will be defective, and that's what you're hearing. They're not actually air forks, but the last of the travel uses the air trapped at the top as a cushion on compression.
It's easy enough to take them out, clean them up and put new o-rings on (but they might be an oddball size, Suzuki is good for that kind of thing), re-assemble with a smear of grease and you're good for another 40 years.

[dandypop]

Thanks, Dave, that's what I have! I'll get some o-rings sourced and replaced!