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What is the difference between these GS models?

  • Thread starter Thread starter nicholascott
  • Start date Start date
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nicholascott

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What is the difference between a GS550L and a GS550T. I purchased a motorcycle last saturday that I thought was a 1981 GS550L. On the title it says GS550L 1981. When I was cleaning up the motorcycle and going over things I noticed that the plate on the motorcycle says 80 GS550E. The numbers match. So it's no big deal to me. However, I don't know what the difference between a GS550L and GS550T. Could someone please tell me. Also, are parts like seats, side panels, parts, etc.... interchangeable between the 2 different models?
 
The 550T was a 1981 model year bike. It was about half way between the crusier L model and the sporty E model (which Suzuki did not import in 1981). The '81 T model used the same gauges and gas tank as the L model, but the seat was different.

Some photos of my old T...

Picture136.jpg

Picture137.jpg

Picture143.jpg
 
looks at the forks and axle. if the axle is infront of the tubes, its an L. if its under the tubes, its not.
 
Buckhorn handlebars would also indicate an L variant.

If the seat is like my 650L, then the seats won't fit. My L uses a half hinge to attach the seat, much like the gas tank. No cotter pins.

Also, I think the airbox and regulator are different? I could be wrong, but from what I've seen, L's mount the regulator to the airbox.
 
No you are correct about the airbox of the T... it is a thing of its own, I looked at a fixer uper with my buddy a summer ago and I found this part out as the guy was missing the airbox. As the guy would not come down in his oprice as his bix would not run without this important and hard to find item I would not pay him more than XXX dollars for it... he chose not to take it so I left it..was a nice looking bike but if it doesn't run what good is it to me.
 
The airbox is common for all the 1980 - 1982 550's, with the possible exception of the Katana 550M model.

The T has a 17"s rear wheel, L has 16". The engines are identical. Nice bikes.
 
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