New GS owner 400e

[greghatt]

Hey All,

I'm picking up a (presumably, was told it was an 83, serial says otherwise) 1982 GS400E this week. Just a little project for me for the summer. I need some info though. I can't seem to find a listing anywhere for these bikes. Were they just that rare? Even my local Suzuki dealer can't seem to find anything on it. I guess my question is, is this thing the same as the gsx400? Not all sites list parts for that bike, but it seems to be easier to locate stuff than searching for gs400 from that year. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Greg

 

[Gorminrider]

Yes, it is a GSX engine very similar to my '81's. BUT use the right parts fiche...your drive chain is 110 links versus my 104 -stuff like that can bite you. My local shop can order parts when I give him the numbers I find at cmnsl.com. They are Suzuki numbers, in fact.

In Canada, your bike is indeed a GS400. In Europe,Japan, it's a GSX400. In Australia and the US, a GS400 will get you the wrong bike and GSX400 means nothing to them, as you've noticed.

go here and find yours
http://www.cmsnl.com/suzuki-gsx400_model13612/

go here to look at models

http://www.suzukicycles.org/All-Suzuki/all_suzuki_models.html

You will be confused in the variety of models and the mix'nmatch of parts suzuki did...many parts are shared across many bikes in the era -electrical systems,carbs, wheels, brakes and engines despite differing part numbers, but be sure to take care of your seat, tank, sidecovers. They are the rare bits and you won't get them except off another. Your bike is not exactly really rare in Canada yet, but attrition continues.

You can also goto Basscliff's library
http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/
tons of stuff useful to you.

maybe especially these . They are for 80-81's in particular but still useful as to yours. You need both. The 5mb 400 manual is an addendum to the 91mb 250 manual, because the bikes are essentially the same except in frame and piston.
pdf http://zeus.mtsac.edu/~cliff/storage/gs/GS250T-300LZ_manual-82.pdf
http://zeus.mtsac.edu/~cliff/storage/gs/GS400_Complete_Manual.PDF

The Haynes manual if you can find it, also covers your bike. Your bike is even on the cover.... But the Clymer is mainly for the 450's with two-valve-per-cylinder engines

 

[greghatt]

Absolutely wonderful! Thanks so much for all the links. At least I now know what i'm searching for. I couldn't believe all the different 400/450 models available. Kind of mind boggling haha. I've rebuild 3 400 Honda twins and had no where near the confusion to find models/parts. Anyhow, I'll take what I can to the dealer and see what they say.

Once again thanks!

Cheers