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GS 850 questions

  • Thread starter Thread starter canaweb
  • Start date Start date
C

canaweb

Guest
Hi All,
I have recently picked up a GS -850 - frame number seems to indicate that its a 1981 model. Perhaps you folks would have the answers to a few questions?

My bike is not currently running - a 'project bike'. It has no kickstart - can anyone identify which specific GS850 models had electric start only? The bike also has dual horns that are mounted under the fuel tank and face downward, toward the engine - not outward. Last - I've seen that some photos of these bikes have a chrome or silver cover between the foot pegs - mine does not. Might this also help identify specific models?

I'm still looking for an online shop and owners manual (pdfs) so I'm guessing about a lot of stuff for now. By the way - is there a switch of some sort that prevents the engine from starting if the sidestand is down? (my Yamaha has this feature...).

Also - what is the 'push and press' '"P" in the ignition key switch? Seems that the lights will work when the key is 'on' but I'm not sure what that 'P' is for...! I had an old battery (not very good..) so the start button didn't do anything, but at least I could see that the horn, lights, etc. worked.

Lots of questions - Thanks in advance for all your help!!!
PS - Happy Father's day!
 
The "P" is for parking, it allows you to leave the lights on and still remove the key, handy in case you ever break down on the side of the road at night and don't want it to become some Peterbilt's new hood ornament.\\:D/

The sticker on the neck of the bike should give you all of the info you need, but I'm not sure what month starts the "new" model season (Dec 80=1981 model, etc.)

This is definitely the right forum for that bike.

Also, if you can post a pic of the bike, someone here will be able to identify it immediately.
 
canaweb said:
Hi All,
I have recently picked up a GS -850 - frame number seems to indicate that its a 1981 model. Perhaps you folks would have the answers to a few questions?
Click to expand...
We always have answers. You just have to ask the right questions. 8-[

canaweb said:
It has no kickstart - can anyone identify which specific GS850 models had electric start only?
Click to expand...
1979 was the only year with kickstarters.

canaweb said:
I've seen that some photos of these bikes have a chrome or silver cover between the foot pegs - mine does not. Might this also help identify specific models?
Click to expand...
Can you show us a picture of your bike? It would help. Not sure what "cover" you are talking about. My wife's '82 850L has polished aluminum rear footpeg mounts, I don't think they could be viewed as "covers". Click here to go to a good site that can help you identify your bike. In the left column, scroll down, click on "Suzuki GS Series", then scroll down the new column and click on "Suzuki GS850G".

canaweb said:
I'm still looking for an online shop and owners manual (pdfs) so I'm guessing about a lot of stuff for now.
Click to expand...
There are several service manuals on eBay right now. Factory manual is always the best, but Clymer and Haynes are good, too.

canaweb said:
is there a switch of some sort that prevents the engine from starting if the sidestand is down? (my Yamaha has this feature...).
Click to expand...
There might be a switch on your bike, but it probably only turns on a light in the gauge cluster. I see nothing in the wiring diagram that leads me to believe that it will interrupt the starter.

canaweb said:
Also - what is the 'push and press' '"P" in the ignition key switch? Seems that the lights will work when the key is 'on' but I'm not sure what that 'P' is for...!
Click to expand...
As mentioned in a previous post, "P" is for "Park". The ignition is off, you can lock the handlebars and the tail light is ON for visibility. I would not recommend using this position except in extreme circumstances as it won't take long to run the battery down. :oops:

canaweb said:
Lots of questions ...
Click to expand...
and no better place to ask them. \\:D/


.
 
last for now

last for now

vin number is JS1GS71G3B2105615
suzuki cycles says 10th digit of B means 1981.. motor number is different

I said covers - but yes - the other bikes show this - it is an aluminum rear footpeg mount. Mine doesn't have the aluminum - seems to mount to the frame.

kick start would have been nice. I've just started going through it.. trying to see what parts are frozen up and what aren't...
I'm curious if the starter will at least turn the engine over - but I'm reluctant to just hook power to it... but don't want to mess anything up..
no battery yet except the very old one that won't charge...
 
If you want to see if the motor's frozen, take the spark plugs out, put it in first gear and try to push it. You may have to rock it a bit. A bit of WD-40 down each spark plug hole wouldn't hurt, either. Taking the plugs out eliminates the compression of the engine and makes it easier to turn over.

The only other way I know is to take the stator cover off and use the crankshaft bolt to turn the motor over. That's how I freed mine up after filling the cylinders with Marvel Mystery Oil for a week, a little back-and-forth (carefully) with a breaker bar freed it up easily.

Once you're sure of the year and model, I highly recommend getting the factory service manual or at least an aftermarket like Haynes. That's how I learned to work on motorcycles and I've resurrected more than a few that were in a lot worse shape than yours. And that was before I found this forum!
 
One other thing.....go through the brake system thoroughly. I would recommend taking the calipers apart and cleaning them, if any of the parts are "iffy" get a rebuild kit. Brake fluid crystallizes in these old bikes if they've been sitting for a long time, my nephew's bike only had dry crystals in his rear caliper. The master cylinder needs to be checked out, too. These things are not too hard to do, take pics if you're worried about how they go back together, and a lot of times all you need to buy is carb cleaner or some other cleaning agent.

I found all this out the hard way, and have the scar to prove it.
 
Your Bike appears to be a 850G Like Mine. (1980)
BikeonI65.jpg


I think the Chrome Piece You refer to is only on the GL Models. They are Great Bikes, Hope You have Her Rolling Soon!:-D
 
Last edited:
nice!

nice!

wow! nice bike. Mine will take some work to get there!!

By the way - I see that these bikes have 7/8" bars - but with some sort of plastic sleve that makes a 1" grip work on them. Anyone have any experience replacing grips - what is the process?

also - I seem to have a small wire that is running from the attach point of the front turn signals to the forms - looks to be a grounding wire - but I can't imagine that Suzuki would have left wire hanging out..
2 wires go into the signal.. this one seems to be a ground that makes the relay (blinker) work? Can this be grounded anywhere - or are there supposed to be marker lights on the fork? I though those were reflectors...
Thanks!
 
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