400, 425, 450? Which one is the best? Why?

[tkent02]

Which year is the best?

 

[Flaming Chainsaws]

Which year is the best?

The 400's have a roller bearing crank while the 450's have a plain bearing crank. Not sure about the 425's though. And the 400's and 425's have the kick starter. The 450E and 450S have the cool boxy gas tank. The 400's and 425's are more rare so I would think parts are a little harder to find.

That's really all of the differences I can think of. Which one is best? The GS450E/S just because they look cooler, IMO.

 

[Nessism]

425 w/roller crank.

 

[tkent02]

Can a 450 top end fit on it? Cylinders?

 

[SVSooke]

These are the coolest

 

[Guest]

1980 - 82 E and S are the best... coz they all look like what I have

Seriously though I think the tank on these makes the best tank for a cafe, which everyone seems to be doing these days...

 

[12Bravo]

1980 - 82 E and S are the best... coz they all look like what I have

Seriously though I think the tank on these makes the best tank for a cafe, which everyone seems to be doing these days...

I have to agree. I like the looks of the E model especially for cafe racers. I'm going to turn my 83 450E into a cafe racer for my son.

 

[hampshirehog]

Don't forget the 4 cylinder 400s - the GSX400F (make sure it's the later one with the bigger sump and check those valve clearances after every ride) and the GSX400X Impulse with the strange fairing layout. Plus the (bit later) GSX400SSN Katana - can't tell the difference between it and the big ones.

Of the twins. I lked the GS425 the most - best motor, 25cc bigger than the 400 and not such a plain Jane paint job when new.

 

[BentRod]

ah ah ah

you need to remember that only the 400cc had TSCC, and had 8 valves

All models used the same transmission, which has remained mostly unchanged and is still in use in the GS500 sold today.

Frames from year to year remained mostly unchanged, and I found no change in frame from 81-86.

avoid L models unless you are doing this on the cheap, as the L models are generally cruisers, and in the twins they required a 120/90-16 tire, which only come in very cheap and very expensive. They also have a shorter rear swing arm.

E and S models have mid-rear pegs, L models have mid-ish pegs

 

[850 Combat]

I don't think that the TSCC was sold in the US

Is the TSCC roller crank?

I like the styling of all of them but the L, personally.

 

[SVSooke]

I don't think that the TSCC was sold in the US

Is the TSCC roller crank?

I like the styling of all of them but the L, personally.

The TSCC is a plain bearing engine,same bottom as the 450.

 

[BentRod]

TSCC
is the Twin Swirl Combustion Chamber

something to do with the shape of the piston and head made it so that two vorticies would form in the intake stroke, helping to more evenly mix fuel and air. The idea is that the more mixed, the faster the pop.

TSCC was never sold in significant numbers in the U.S.A. as suzuki did not believe the American consumer would pay more for a bike with fewer CC's

 

[tkent02]

TSCC was sold in every Suzuki four valve per cylinder engine for a lot of years, from 1980 on.

 

[850 Combat]

I remember reading when TSCC was new that it was modeled after the Cosworth DFV cylinder head design. The DFV was one of the most successful racing engine designs ever, winning F1 races and Indy car races for probably 20 years. I don't remember four valve 450's in the US though.

 

[SVSooke]

4 valve 400cc TSCC where imported to Canada,same basic bike as the GS450 with the TSCC head and 400cc engines.Had 2 of them,great little bikes.

 

[Roger P.]

I have read that the 425 was the torquiest of them, but if I was getting one, it would be one of the Katana styled 400's, or the last 400S in black and red. Maybe this was only available in Canada, I don't know.

Anti-dive on one fork leg, that must have really helped eh? It's odd that on the Suzukicycles website, almost all of the early twins were described as 8 valve engines in the summary.

 

[Nessism]

Suzuki's 4 valve/cylinder heads were/are good, but TSCC is just a marketing gimmick.

 

[CR_GS_450]

I truly enjoy my slightly modified L version, but it doesn't resemble an L which is why I like it, haha. If I had to pick I would buy a 1980 450 SX, gorgeous bikes and I love this motor. But I have a feeling I won't get rid of my 86 for many years to come, with 38k hard riden miles on the motor though I smell a rebuild in the near future.

 

[Guest]

Rebuild soon? Nah, she'll be right! Mine has 96k km's (not miles) on the clock and everything so far internally still measures within tolerance.

Do the valves and stuff and leave it at that... if it ain't broke don't fix it

 

[CR_GS_450]

I have a decent piston slap and some other noises that have started to emerge, as well I would like to do a custom piston kit so that she will behave with these CR carbs. Also, I have a slight oil leak I would like to take care of...We shall see.