GS850 G forks on L (Maybe?)

[koston286]

Hello All,

I'm having a dilemma with replacement forks on my 1979 GS850. I've always thought I had the L model. But I bought some new L forks the other day to replace the old ones, and they are definitely not what is currently on the bike. My first clue was the brake calipers don't fit -- mounting bracket bolt hole spacing is wrong.

I now know that I've in fact had G forks on the bike the whole time. And I also now know what the previous owner meant in saying that this bike, "rides like a G."

My dilemma now is, do I continue installing the new L forks, and find new calipers? Or stick with the G's? I'm concerned because I've read that you cannot simply swap G for L forks....So I'm thinking that I either have a G front end, and should stick with G forks, or it's all wrong and I need to switch to L right away. Not sure what to do here; any insight would be much appreciated!


IMG_0002.jpg


Thank you,
Karsten

[koston286]

Previous post shows the new L forks I want to use. Here is my current fork:

WP_20150809_09_20_09_Pro__highres.jpg

[Nessism]

Suzuki didn't make an 850L model in 1979 (model year). How about a photo of your entire bike so we can see what you have?

[koston286]

Here it is. There are a few more in my profile.

549661_619090061682_1614895769_n.jpg

[bwringer]

Suzuki didn't make an 850L model in 1979 (model year). How about a photo of your entire bike so we can see what you have?

Agreed. Aside from the front end, the biggest visible difference between the 1979 and 1980 models is the carbs. 1979 models have VM carbs and 1980+ models have BS carbs -- these are CV carbs with large round tops.

The biggest visual difference between G and GL models (aside from the front end) is the seat and the rear fender. The GL seat has a much larger step in it and the rear fender is chromed steel, with a steel tail light unit mounted to it. On G models, the seat is flatter and the rear end has a plastic tail section containing the tail light and a black plastic rear inner fender.


In similar situations, we've found that people have a 1980 model that was built in late 1979, and at some point a lazy DMV worker just punched in the year of manufacture instead of the model year.

[bwringer]

Here it is. There are a few more in my profile.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]41438[/ATTACH]

Looks like our posts crossed!

That's definitely a 1980 GS850GL. Perhaps an '81, but as I mentioned above it's not uncommon for an '80 to be mistakenly titled as a '79.

[Brendan W]

Looks like an early L. See you can match a frame number with this http://www.suzukicycles.org/All-Suzu...ki_models.html

[bwringer]

Here it is. There are a few more in my profile.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]41438[/ATTACH]

Looks like our posts crossed!

That's definitely a 1980 GS850GL. Perhaps an '81, but as I mentioned above it's not uncommon for an '80 to be mistakenly titled as a '79. That is a 1980+ G front end.



Now, for another twist: I'm fairly certain that's a 1979 brake caliper. Turn it over -- 1979 calipers have round brake pads with a screw in the middle. 1980+ calipers have rectangular brake pads. (The 1980+ calipers work better, so they're a worthwhile upgrade.)

In 1980+ models, the brake caliper itself is the same on G and GL models. The calipers bolt to a bracket that's different to suit the different position of the rotor. However, 1979 and 1980 G calipers have the same bolt spacing, so that might explain it, and 1980+ slotted rotors can be bolted on to 1979 front wheels.

You've got a real bitsa there...

[Brendan W]

Maybe Johnny Cash owned it?

[koston286]

Looks like an early L. See you can match a frame number with this http://www.suzukicycles.org/All-Suzu...ki_models.html

Wow, that is perfect, thanks! I checked it out, and my frame number suggests a model year 'N', which is the 1979 GS850G...???

OK, so I've got a 1979 G frame with a 1980+ GS850G front end. I think I have what I need now. I'll look for some G model forks and put these GL's up for sale!

bwringer, yep these are the 1979 calipers with round pads. I've been thinking about upgrading but I already bought fresh rubber seals and boots to rebuild. I'll have to think about this.


Thanks all for the help!

[Nessism]

Yup, you got a 1980 model 850L. Looks like someone put forks from a '79 non-L model bike.

The later calipers are better as mentioned. You need new calipers with L model caliper hangers. Be careful of this point when purchasing. if you get regular G calipers the hangers will be wrong.

[bwringer]

This gets weirder and weirder the more I look...

Look behind the seat at how the frame members are visible projecting way out past the seat, and the turn signals are even mounted on them. The fender is mounted with hardware store bolts. So I think it's definitely not a GL frame.

At a guess, it's possible you have a 1979 GS850G frame with a bunch of 1980+ GL parts added. Look how the seat, rear fender, sidecovers, and airbox are sort of ill-fitting. The tank seems to sit further back than normal, and the usual GL plastic covers on the frame neck are not there. The 6.5" chrome headlight appears to be a GL part, (the G models had a black plastic 7" headlight shell) but the forks are from a G (so the forks match the frame, anyway).

The engine, carbs, airbox, and wheels are 1980 or later -- note the CV carbs and the slotted rotors front and rear.

I'm still not sure about the brake calipers. Photos are too fuzzy.

Is the rear wheel 16" or 17"?

Do you have points or electronic ignition?



What's interesting is that even with all this mix-n-match stuff you can still end up with safe motorcycle that handles and works great. But you do have to keep close track of what's what.

[Brendan W]

Looks like a 79 master cylinder as well but no kick start ?

[koston286]

This gets weirder and weirder the more I look...

Look behind the seat at how the frame members are visible projecting way out past the seat, and the turn signals are even mounted on them. The fender is mounted with hardware store bolts. So I think it's definitely not a GL frame.

At a guess, it's possible you have a 1979 GS850G frame with a bunch of 1980+ GL parts added. Look how the seat, rear fender, sidecovers, and airbox are sort of ill-fitting. The tank seems to sit further back than normal, and the usual GL plastic covers on the frame neck are not there. The 6.5" chrome headlight appears to be a GL part, (the G models had a black plastic 7" headlight shell) but the forks are from a G (so the forks match the frame, anyway).

The engine, carbs, airbox, and wheels are 1980 or later -- note the CV carbs and the slotted rotors front and rear.

I'm still not sure about the brake calipers. Photos are too fuzzy.

Is the rear wheel 16" or 17"?

Do you have points or electronic ignition?



What's interesting is that even with all this mix-n-match stuff you can still end up with safe motorcycle that handles and works great. But you do have to keep close track of what's what.

Here's a better photo of the caliper:
IMG_0001.jpg

Rear wheel is 17"

I honestly don't know about the ignition system.

[Nessism]

Why do you want to change the forks?

The issue with the old calipers and new fork is the caliper hangers are wrong. You could possibly look for some caliper hangers off a 1000L, but not sure they would be a proper match either.