Need some exhaust help!

[RedBolide]

I bought a 1982 Suzuki GS850 GL, and I'm trying to build a cafe racer/tracker out of it. I have never built a bike before, and I'm already worried about the exhaust on the bike. When I pulled the exhaust, the pipes were so rusted they separated into two parts. The exhaust is in bad shape, but the rest of the bike looks OK so far.

What should I do about an exhaust system? The current one seems pretty far-gone. My original plan was to just buy an aftermarket full exhaust system, but I can't find any online that actually fit the bike. I found a few designed for a 1980 GS850 GL, but from my understanding they would not fit my bike. Does anyone know where I can potentially purchase a full exhaust system that will fit a 1982 GS850 GL? If not, do I have any other options? I am OK with investing more money into the exhaust system if it means getting a better product. I would ideally like to buy an aftermarket system instead of a used stock one. Any help/tips are greatly appreciated!

 

[bobgroger]

Since you are not going original there is about a 2" difference in the muffler mount between the G and L so you can make an 850G exhaust fit with a short bracket. Pipe spacing and size are the same, 1000 pipes are close enough to fit so you have a choice of V&H, MAC, Delkevic, and whatever you can find on ebay. THe Delkevic pipes are stainless and made in China, but won't rust and many find the quality very good. THey don't specifically make an 850 pipe but the 1000 would probably work.
https://www.z1enterprises.com/product/DECOM2765

 

[Steve]

The only difference between 850G and 850GL pipes is the rear mount, as Bob mentioned.

1000 pipes will physically fit, but the holes on the mounting collars at the head are the wrong spacing.
You will have to slot the holes a bit to fit the spacing of the studs on the 850 head.

.

 

[RedBolide]

The only difference between 850G and 850GL pipes is the rear mount, as Bob mentioned.

1000 pipes will physically fit, but the holes on the mounting collars at the head are the wrong spacing.
You will have to slot the holes a bit to fit the spacing of the studs on the 850 head.

.

Does the year matter, necessarily? By the sounds of it, I am thinking of buying a GS1000 exhaust system and changing the mounting collars. I found a few systems for a 78-80 GS1000. Would that fit in the same way?

 

[JTGS850GL]

No way to remove the mounting collars on the outer pipes. You'll have to slot the holes of the existing mounts to get them to fit..

 

[RedBolide]

No way to remove the mounting collars on the outer pipes. You'll have to slot the holes of the existing mounts to get them to fit..

Alright. That makes more sense. But my previous question still stands: will pipes for a 1980 GS850GL or GS1000 fit on a 1982 GS850GL? Or is this discussion strictly about 1982 GS1000 pipes fitting on the 1982 GS850GL?

 

[JTGS850GL]

80, 81 or 82 will be pretty much the same. Unless you pickup the exact same year/model you will have to fabricate a rear mount. No big deal really. Usually just a single metal bracket with two holes will work. Engine side will be as explained above. All 850's were the same as well as all 1000 and 1100 engines all the same. Just different stud spacing on the 850.

 

[RedBolide]

80, 81 or 82 will be pretty much the same. Unless you pickup the exact same year/model you will have to fabricate a rear mount. No big deal really. Usually just a single metal bracket with two holes will work. Engine side will be as explained above. All 850's were the same as well as all 1000 and 1100 engines all the same. Just different stud spacing on the 850.

That makes sense. Thanks so much for the response! It helps a lot.