Help identifying GS850

[Scott3483]

Hey all, new to the forum. Just bought my first bike and I'm having trouble figuring out exactly what it is. It was listed as a 1980 GS850. Inside the battery cover is someone's scribble about customizing it in 2009, but also he wrote 1985 GS850 . I tried running the VIN, but everything says suzuki bikes start with JS1. Mine is J1S.

I only got a bill of sale and it sounds like it's been a few owners since anyone had a title. Little sketch but for $300 I thought I'd take a chance.

I'll post some pictures and see if you guys can figure it out.

Thanks!

 

[ddaniels]

Yep, we need pictures to help.

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Welcome to the forum, Scott.
Whatever it is, without a title, it's a parts bike. Unless, maybe Oregon has got some looser guideline than most of the rest of the country on what's needed to register a motorcycle? I'd suggest you get that sorted if you can before doing anything else on it.

 

[Scott3483]

 

[Scott3483]

Well I got one picture to link from imageshack, but now my phone is being weird and won't let me copy and paste anymore links. I'll have to do it tonight from my computer after work.

 

[Scott3483]

 

[Scott3483]

 

[Scott3483]

 

[Scott3483]

All I need to get a title in oregon is a lost title form and a bill of sale from the last titled owner. Or I can go to the Dmv and have them do a vin inspection. When they can't get it to come up, then they send you to oregon state police to do an inspection. And they can issue a new vin if they can't find it either.

Either way, I'm not doing any work to it until I have a title.

 

[Guest]

That looks like a 79 or 80 GS850G (G = shaft, E = Chain and L = lame)
Has the same speedo/tach as my 80, my 82 is completely different.
Also no plastic under the seat that connects to the rear cowl.
And the side panels are long like an 80.

i think you have an 80 sir.

 

[rphillips]

Not a lot from those pictures. All 850's are shaft dr. "80" & newer have CV (flat top) carbs, earlier were VM (humpy looking top) carbs.

 

[rphillips]

It is a "G" model, thankfully not "GL", Can you tell, personally, I never liked any of the "L" models

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

IDK, those pull-back handle bars scream "LLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!" to me. 850GL?

 

[Scott3483]

I can get better pictures tonight. What would you like to see better to help identify it?

 

[rphillips]

Can see the CV carbs, "80" or newer. Looks like "L" handlebars, but I don't think any "L" model had a tail section. Only a chrome rear fender with a tail light mounted to it. "G" models had tail sections with tail light in them.

 

[bwringer]

It's definitely an '80 or '81 GS850G. A 1981 model will have an "X" letter code (GS850GX) and 1980 will be "T" (GS850GT).

Edit: Looks like those round signals make it a 1980, a GS850GT. 1981 had rectangular signals.
https://www.onlinecycleparts.com/oemparts/a/suz/50d4017df8700230d8b4e4db/turn-signal-lamp-gs850gt
https://www.onlinecycleparts.com/oemparts/a/suz/50d4017df8700230d8b4e4dc/turn-signal-lamp-gs850gx


You can see the original colors mentioned in the tank parts fiche. You can't get new tanks any more, of course, but the description is still there. According to the fiches, 81 was blue ("marble indigo") or brown, and 1980 was black or maroon
https://www.onlinecycleparts.com/oemparts/a/suz/50d4017ff8700230d8b4e4e4/fuel-tank-gs850gx
https://www.onlinecycleparts.com/oemparts/a/suz/50d4017ff8700230d8b4e4e3/fuel-tank-gs850gt

It sounds like your state might have reasonable titling and registration laws. But I agree you'll definitely want to make sure you can get that sorted out before spending any money or time.

Here in Indiana, that would be only a collection of parts, not a motorcycle. Our BMV haaaaates cool old bikes with lost papers.

 

[Scott3483]

 

[Steve]

Interesting. The clear line connected to the front of #2 is the vacuum line and should be connected to the smaller port on the petcock. Where did the other two clear lines (with the T) get connected? Those are vent lines and should NOT be connected to the petcock, they should go back, over the airbox into relatively calm air.

The large black hose coming up the middle is your fuel line, it should be connected to the larger port on the petcock. That is reinforced fuel line that is unnecessary on a GS. Besides being the wrong size, it is hard to bend it to get it where it needs to be.

.

 

[dpep]

I see no airbox. Perhaps a p.o. tried to run pods? Could relate to the non standard venting arrangement? Exhaust cans are not 850G. Maybe L model? Hard to tell.
...

 

[ddaniels]

Bodywork, tank, fender, forks and speedo cluster says "G" model. Those cans are flared like an "L" but don't look factory to me. Looks aftermarket.