new owner

[tinbanger]

a guy just gave me 450 thats been leaning against a fence post for the last 15 yrs
i don't have a title for it, so i don't even know what year it is. anyone on here know how to figure that one out?
thanks for the help
jeff

 

[ryonker]

Post some decent pictures and someone here will know.

Rick

 

[Guest]

Welcome tinbanger,

Do a search on your GS450 at www.suzukicycles.org, you should be able to identify yours if you have no pics to post.

 

[steve murdoch]

Welcome to the site, Jeff. Careful, it can become addicting.
There should be a plate on the steering column hidden under the cables with the build date and model.

 

[nisom512]

a guy just gave me 450 thats been leaning against a fence post for the last 15 yrs
i don't have a title for it, so i don't even know what year it is. anyone on here know how to figure that one out?
thanks for the help
jeff

im with Yonker on this one pics PIcs PICS!!!! please

 

[tinbanger]

 

[tinbanger]

sorry so big and twice

 

[Nessism]

That is a GS400 or 425. The displacment will be cast into the cylinder near the bottom.

Regarding posting the photo twice, hit the edit button and modify your post if you want. No reason to say sorry, just fix the problem.

 

[nisom512]

Im with niss that is a GS400-450 I dont know thos bikes well but its the only GS that is a twin oh and its post 1980 at least because of the carbs. thos are the CV carbs now you know your carb names to rebuild them go here first and order the bs orings kit and the intake orings. I dont know if you have the bs32 or bs34 carbs tho so you should find out your displacement when Niss told you and then look here for your carb size. http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=73723 then once you have found what carb size you have(the 34's or 32's) go here www.cycleorings.com and order up your oring kit and make sure you get the intake orings as well it is totally worth it to do this......trust me any one on here will tell you the same.

Good luck
happy rebuilding.
Jake

 

[duaneage]

Free is a good price for that machine as you know it will need a lot of work. But these are popular with the cafe crowd, I saw a sweet 425 that was cafe'd and it was the same config as yours.

Safety is paramount and the tires should be replaced along with braking components. Add in a chain/sprocket set and you have the biggest expense to getting a bike back on the road, the Consumables.

The title may be tricky, ITS or international title service, can get a title for around 150 dollars. I would do a real good inspection and inventory of the bike and decide if the costs of saving it warrant the investment in a title.

We all love to see old bikes rescued, I saved a XS400 Yamaha from being parted out last year, but the cost and skills can be too much for some people. If only replacement parts were government subsidized to the point of free.

 

[reddirtrider]

My advice is to break it down to nuts and bolts and do a complete rebuild. It's going to be fairly expensive, but you probably have so many things wrong that you'll fix one and another will become apparent soon after. Sorry for being so negative, but I'm giving you my honest appraisal.

 

[Nessism]

Im with niss that is a GS400-450 I dont know thos bikes well but its the only GS that is a twin oh and its post 1980 at least because of the carbs. thos are the CV carbs now you know your carb names to rebuild them go here first and order the bs orings kit and the intake orings. I dont know if you have the bs32 or bs34 carbs tho so you should find out your displacement when Niss told you and then look here for your carb size. http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=73723 then once you have found what carb size you have(the 34's or 32's) go here www.cycleorings.com and order up your oring kit and make sure you get the intake orings as well it is totally worth it to do this......trust me any one on here will tell you the same.

Good luck
happy rebuilding.
Jake

The GS400 came out in 1977, and had CV carbs. Suzuki increased the displacement to 425 in 1979, the last year for that engine. The 450 has a completely different engine and was released in 1980.

 

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. tinbanger,

Bikes like yours can be a lot of fun to bring back to life. It won't be exactly cheap but it can be rewarding. Let me roll out the welcome mat for you...

Please click here for your mega-welcome, chock full of tips, suggestions, links to vendors, and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I've been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. Thanks for the picture!

Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[nisom512]

The GS400 came out in 1977, and had CV carbs. Suzuki increased the displacement to 425 in 1979, the last year for that engine. The 450 has a completely different engine and was released in 1980.

learn somethin new every day.

 

[jimfj]

You Have yourself a 1979 GS425. They all came that way with the CV style carbs. I have a 425 L model in my garage right now.

That 425 was my first motorcycle and it was a bunch of fun. Here's a before shot

Heres an after:

Honestly if I could get it back I would. Let me know if I can help you with your project in any way.

Good Luck

Jim

 

[tinbanger]

lol tried the edit button and that didn't work
thanks for the info
i've started the tear down and i'm not much for restoring, i chopped my harley and i'll prob have a go at making a cool chop out of this one (hope that doesn't offend the hardcore)
i'll check in with progress now and again

thanks again
jeff

 

[Rkt-Rch]

Have faith

Have faith

This G.S web site is the best thing for you/her... Found mine sitting out also in N.H. weather OUTSIDE with the carbs off and it took some time and a whole lot of elbow/finger grease but was and still is worth it. Prepare to get alot of wire brushes/wheels :dancing: and paint.

 

[zeebob]

It's my understanding that the GS425 was only produced in 1979. It only came in black and had mag wheels not the wire ones shown here. There is a boss on the right side on the engine case that has the displacement, a 425 being 2100.

thats my two cents worth
regards
Zeebob

 

[Redman]

a guy just gave me 450 thats been leaning against a fence post for the last 15 yrs
i don't have a title for it, so i don't even know what year it is. anyone on here know how to figure that one out?
thanks for the help
jeff

Jeff,

Welcome to GSR.

I cant help you identify the year other than to say what has already been said about SuzukiCycleOrg and the tag on the stering head. If you already know its a 450, then you will not confuse it with the 300s that were for a couple years. I might also suggest going back to this website home page (not the forum, but the main page) and look for link to the "Model Chart".

.......... There is a boss on the right side on the engine case that has the displacement, a 425 being 2100.
......

If its like the 650 & the 850 & the 1100 if have/had:
- On engine case (clutch cover); the number cast there will be engine oil capacity (in ML).
- On the cyclinder; the number cast there will be the engine displacement (in CC).

 

[tinbanger]

alright i found the tag on the neck which says manufactured in 78 which i would assume means a 79 model, like one of you fellas said
and you were right 425 not a 450
now i need to find a service manual and wiring diagram for it
i looked at basscliffs website but didn't see mine listed, so any info would be great
you guys are already proving to be a wealth of info
thanks
jeff