Gs850g

[Diver]

Is there any way of using the Engine and Frame numbers to determine the year of the Bike.

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Is there a foil sticker on the headstock? What do you see there? 3
In addition to the VIN,
If the sticker shows a model year#:
A = 1976
B = 1977
C = 1978
N = 1979
T = 1980
X = 1981
Z = 1982
D = 1983
E = 1984
F = 1985

 

[rphillips]

You say frame # 102736 ? is that all that's there, I'd have thought more.

 

[Diver]

Just gs850 and the number which is stamped into the frame. Same on the engine.
I have it over 10 years and have never noticed a sticker. It may have been there before that.

 

[rphillips]

Maybe getting closer. Quick search says 1981 was the first yr. vehicle VIN's were required to have "17 digits". The 10th digit of that # signified the yr. model. the last 6 digits of that # was the actual "Ser. #". Thinking a good chance you have a 1980 model, no kicker, CV carbs., new style turn sig.-headlight switch says after "79" and the "6 digit" ser. # says before "81"... Nobody mentioned it yet, but does your 6 digit frame # match the ser. # on your title? I've never seen anything about what the eng. # means.... Grim, I've replaced a couple of choke cables, and had trouble with them sliding in while trying to hold clutch and push start button. Yes I know about the adjuster, the lever on the carb never needed an adjuster nor needed maint. nor replacement. For me the choke on he carbs were fool proof, even me couldn't have a problem with them.

 

[Diver]

I will check the certificate tomorrow for that.
I have the same problem with the Choke slipping closed while trying to start despite twisting it.
I use a small clamp just below the knob to keep it up when starting and have it just tied to the handlebar with a short string.

 

[dpep]

It may have been the case that the bike is an '80 model that originally sold in 1979 and somehow got titled for '79 in the process. Are the registration and the points ignition the only two things that say '1979' at this point?

 

[rphillips]

Diver, not sure what you mean by "despite twisting it". Those things are designed to be tightened up on the cable shaft, right where it slides in and out, by tightening the knurled nut just a little, right where it screws on to the top clamp. Not say'in it will work, but that's how it's supposed to work..

 

[Diver]

Thanks. That little nut is there. However, I assumed that it was just a nut securing the outer Choke Casing.
Every day a learning day.
By the way. I really enjoyed the brief chats with you all.
World can be a very lonely place at times and I find myself looking forward to the communications.
Please keep it up as ye are helping in more ways than ye realise. Maybe it's just me.

 

[Diver]

The Registration Certificate has the same Frame and Engine numbers as is on the bike.
Date of first Registration is listed as 01 January 1979.

 

[rphillips]

Diver... I have no clue!!!

 

[Diver]

Again, thanks everyone for the unbelievable response to my query.
Keep up the good work.

 

[dpep]

The Registration Certificate has the same Frame and Engine numbers as is on the bike.
Date of first Registration is listed as 01 January 1979.

Unlikely that your bike was initially registered on New Years Day seeing as how government offices would have been closed. The earliest release date I could find anywhere mentioned for the 850 was February, 1979. As of the the January, 1979 issue of Cycle World pricing for the new 850 had not yet been announced.

I suspect that the registration you have was produced later in the life of the bike using numbers taken from the bike at that time and using the first day of 1979 because the actual date was unknown but assumed to be in 1979. I am not sure of the circumstances in which that would have been necessary. If I had to guess I would say it was a 1980 model sold in late 1979 but then why the points ignition? You might could check to see what history there is with your DMV.

None of this is germane to your question. It's just damn curious The engine is post 1979 with CV carbs; if you do as Nessism says you will have a good result.

Pictures. Pictures of this hybrid beast would be most interesting to examine.

 

[dpep]

Just a couple of little details, 1980 changed the turn signals from round to rectangle,

That change actually was between 1980 and 1981. I have one of each in my garage.

 

[rphillips]

Well, sorry. hoping now I wasn't wrong about the turn signal / headlight button. If I get 1 out of 3, not bad for me these days..

 

[Diver]

I would love to know the real history of the bike, however, I think that would be pretty hard to establish at this stage.

I will get my Daughter to put some photos up over the next few days. At 74 I wouldn't be great with this new technology, hence the reason I ride a 1979 motorbike.

 

[dpep]

Well, sorry. hoping now I wasn't wrong about the turn signal / headlight button. If I get 1 out of 3, not bad for me these days..

Not to worry. 1980 got the always on headlight.

 

[Diver]

My head light is constantly on with Ignition.

 

[rphillips]

So many changes over the yrs. "79" started the always on headlight, I think "80" started the same button for hi-lo and L and R turn.

 

[Nessism]

Without a kickstart, the engine is definitely NOT a 1979 model year engine. The CV carbs is another telling sign. Most markets around the world got an electronic ignition in 1980, but not all. Suzuki delayed the implementation in some countries, South Africa for example. Maybe Ireland also? Or, the engine was changed at some time in the last 43 years?

The 1980 model year bikes also received a different brake system, with slotted rotors and rectangular master cylinder ('79 has a round master,) the calipers are different too, a different turn signal system, with square button switch slide on the LH hand control, vs a toggle switch R and L switch in 1979. Between these things, it should be possible to date the model year of the bike...