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GS-series generic questions

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Hi! :D

I'm new to the list, and a new GS owner, and like many, I have lots of DUMB, probably repeated questions. I have read lots of postings, but I don't think I found these questions asked already.

I just bought an '82 GS650L, and I now I'm trying to nail down some parts to help 'make right' some things that are wrong with my new steed...

[] Are the frame sizes (like the width in back and distances between mounting bolts) the same for the GS650L/ GS850L, etc? I am trying to buy a rack/sissy bar, and it seems if I look on ebay, the one they sell is NEVER EXACTLY what I am looking for! :) I can't figure out if one from an GS850, say, will fit my bike, a GS650L... any thoughts or advice? I can modify one if I have to, but am curious how 'universal' the frame setups are.

[] It seems my tachometer is not original either... I want to buy another one (like on ebay or elsewhere) but again, can anyone say if an 850 tach is the same size/look/etc as the original 650 one would have been?

[] I also am having a tough time finding the little round screw-on reflectors that attach to the fork brace under the headlight... Can anyone tell me if there is a 'generic' place to acquire them, or if they are something that only the original will work?

To summarize, I suppose just knowing if the engine size is the main difference in the GSxxxL line of bikes would be nice. That is probably a naive idea, but, IF there are other differences, if someone could enlighten me, I'd appreciate it.

This website is GREAT!!! I am very glad to be a GS owner, and will send some money to help keep the site going.

Thank you!
Wayne Harrah
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
'82 GS650L
'77 XS360[/img]
 
Welcome Wayne

Welcome Wayne

Hi Just want to welcome you here. I also have a 2 X 2 call and am new to this site. Also like you I recently bought my first GS.An 81 GS 450 L which is so cool! I also bought a GS 250 T that I took down to the frame for a re-build project. While I can't answer your questions directly, I have found that the 250 and 450 share alot of the same or very close parts. I suspect there are tons of similarities between all the GS's. Good luck with the bike and here at the GS Resources. :D :D :D 8) 8) 8)
 
I cannot answer your question directly but perhaps I can help indirectly. One way of finding out if parts from different models are the same is to go to www.BikeBandit.com and look up the parts fiche for your bike. Once you find the right fiche, you should be able to identify the part and part number. You can then do the same for the other model's fiche and part numbers. If the part numbers for the equivalent parts from two different models are the same, then the part is the same. If the numbers are different, it doesn't mean that the parts are not interchangeable but it does mean that they are not identical.

Simon Waters
 
The frame sizes for the 850/1000/1100 shafties are basically the same.

I don't know much about the 650 shaftie, but I don't think too many parts interchange with those on the bigger GS bikes. Frankly, I wouldn't buy anything meant for an 850 to fit onto a 650, unless I had more direct opinions.

Nick
 
1: No

2: No; the 81 GS750L tach might look the same. I'm not 100% sure though.


3: You might try an auto parts store or a store that sells bicycle or camper parts. The round reflectors are quite common over here; they are used on bicycles, mopeds, scooters, etc. You'll just have to find the right size.

Some parts are interchangeable, but as far as I know, there's no list of those parts.
Like Simon suggested, try www.bikebandit.com . Choose OEM parts and search through the microfiches of the different GS types.

Check this link to compare the GS models:
http://www.suzukicycles.org/
 
Thanks!

Thanks!

You guys are the best... I have learned a lot about my bike from the bikebandit.com webpage already... and I really enjoy reading about all you other GS people out there. Thanks for the warm welcome... I'll post pictures of my bike when I get it going, hopefully in the very near future... I have a nice maroon tank coming from Justin Hughes to replace the dented blue one on it now... :D

I am looking for a single right-side side cover with badge, although the badge is not necessary... I can transplant my blue one's badge if needed...

This site ROCKS!

Thanks again!
Wayne
'77 XS360
'82 GS650L

"Many questions are unanswerable; many answers are questionable." ~ Confusious
 
Believe it or not your friendly, neighborhood Suzuki dealer can order those reflectors for you...Sixteen (16) Bucks each!!! I got mine from a salvage yard for free. The owner was in a good mood and told me to just go get one. Now go to a discount auto parts store and look around they have a reasonable facsimile you can pick up and stick on for cheapo!
 
I also found fork reflectors at my local "motor-recycle" shop. I had to do some serious digging through many boxes, but it was worth it. They were really cheap. Now I feel much safer riding at night. 8O

I agree with Diaz that the 850 and up are the same. I was told by a pretty reliable source that the frames were the same on these bikes. I have an 1980 GS850L that needed a seat. I purchased one off of E-bay for a 82 650L thinking it would work. The pans looked identical based on the pictures the seller sent me, and to the untrained naked eye they do look the same....... but they are not, and they are not interchangeable. The 650L is shorter, and the front mounting pegs that slide into the frame are wider apart. This tells me that there must be a difference in the frames. Maybe not much, but definitely different.

That's my rambling for the day. :D

Curt
 
I went to bik bandits, and can't seem to figure them out. If you are looking for a 1979 GS550E, I can get the oem, the 1979, the suzuki, but that the heck do you pick in the last drop down list?

Simon Waters said:
I cannot answer your question directly but perhaps I can help indirectly. One way of finding out if parts from different models are the same is to go to www.BikeBandit.com and look up the parts fiche for your bike. Once you find the right fiche, you should be able to identify the part and part number. You can then do the same for the other model's fiche and part numbers. If the part numbers for the equivalent parts from two different models are the same, then the part is the same. If the numbers are different, it doesn't mean that the parts are not interchangeable but it does mean that they are not identical.

Simon Waters
Click to expand...
 
Bike Bandit has no GS's in the 79 drop down. I know, it drives me crazy too. The lowest it goes is 1980. I know of a dealership nearby with microfiche of all the old GS's if you need it PM me or go to http://www.first-turn.com/.
 
Anyone know where I can find the part numbers for the points and condensers for a 1979 GS550?
 
You could get the part numbers from bikebandit.

I usually get points , etc from cycle reclycle at
http://www.crc2onlinecatalog.com/
just click on electrical then the points logo. There is a listing about midway down the page for your bike. They ship priority mail.

Earl

StrwbrryAnngel said:
Anyone know where I can find the part numbers for the points and condensers for a 1979 GS550?
Click to expand...
 
problem is I am having a hard time with my local Suzuki dealer. I ordered parts from them, and got the wrong stuff. You can't get the GS series for anything older than 1980 on bike bandits.
 
Does your bike use the single mounting screw Nippondenso points or the dual mounting screw Kokosan set?

Earl

StrwbrryAnngel said:
problem is I am having a hard time with my local Suzuki dealer. I ordered parts from them, and got the wrong stuff. You can't get the GS series for anything older than 1980 on bike bandits.
Click to expand...
 
dual I believe, the reason I am looking for part numbers is I want to take these parts back to the dealer (picked them up today, going back tomorrow) and make him give me back the enormous price he charged (double his quote). I also want to shove it in his face that he ordered the wrong parts (I didn't have numbers last time).
 
Well, "dual I believe" isnt going to work. :-) I'm not trying to be picky, but let me explain. Your bike was manufactured with two different types of ignition points through manufacturing runs, Some bikes had the nippondenso breaker plate that used the single screw mount short length nippondenso points, others had the Kokosan breaker and kokosan points are set on longer bases and use two mounting screws, The two types of points are not interchangable, but both are correct for your bike. When ordering points, you must specify to the dealer which type your bike has and the only way to know this for sure is to remove your points cover and look at your pointsets to see if they are held down with one screw or use two screws. You could match up this information by referencing the engine serial number, but someone in the past 20 years could have replaced the ignition system too. :-) The best thing to do is open the cover and look. Cycle recycle carries both styles of points, but they assign their own stock numbers, so the dealer would not be able to reference those. cycle recycle uses the same stock number for 750 and 550 single screw nippondenso point sets and a different number for 750 and 550 kokosan dual screw point sets. I have new sets of both types in my parts supplies, but It will be tomorrow before I will be able to dig them out. I should be able to get a manufacturer name and part number off them for you then. The condensers are the same.

Earl


StrwbrryAnngel said:
dual I believe, the reason I am looking for part numbers is I want to take these parts back to the dealer (picked them up today, going back tomorrow) and make him give me back the enormous price he charged (double his quote). I also want to shove it in his face that he ordered the wrong parts (I didn't have numbers last time).
Click to expand...
 
sorry for the "i believe" it is 1:30 AM here, and the bike is in the garage. Hubby is sleeping, and I am not goin to wake him up right now (and face the grizzly bear mood). I'll post tomorrow. The dealer didn't ask what type of points, I looked on the site and from memory I would say it is the double screw one you mentioned.
 
Ok, it is morning, and it is the dual screw set. Any help you can give me would be appreciated. I really really want to get on the road.
 
If you will PM me with your mailing address, I have a new set of Kokosan points (right and left side) that I will express mail to you monday noon if you would like. NO charge....:-) I dont have a bike that uses Kokusan points anymore.

Earl

StrwbrryAnngel said:
Ok, it is morning, and it is the dual screw set. Any help you can give me would be appreciated. I really really want to get on the road.
Click to expand...
 
earlfor said:
If you will PM me with your mailing address, I have a new set of Kokosan points (right and left side) that I will express mail to you monday noon if you would like. NO charge....:-) I dont have a bike that uses Kokusan points anymore.

Earl
Click to expand...
Watch out, Earl, you are ruining your "bad boy" image :lol: .........in fact, you are turning out to be a "prince of a fellow". :wink: :roll:
 
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