engine number

[Chris Finlay]

Hi.

I have a spare engine for my GS850 number 166332. Would anyone know what year it is. It is sprayed black.

Chris.

 

[loud et]

Chris I am pretty sure 1983 suzuki started the black 850 engine. I don't think it was solid black tho. The 83, 1100E was a solid black engine, the 850 had some silver/polished areas also.
Do you think it's a factory paint job? Or a previous owner paint job?
Also Google search will show the differences between years through numerous pictures.

 

[Steve]

Not sure where to look to find what numbers were produced what year, but count the bolts that hold the valve cover. Some time in mid-'82 they changed from 16 to 19 bolts.

Depending on the quality of the black, it might be original, meaning '83 production, or it might be courtesy of a previous owner. Three of our four GSes have black engines (the fourth might get painted over the winter), one of them in an '80, the other two are '82, so you can't go strictly by the black.

On the other hand, the number on my wife's '82 engine is 156485, and it was assembled in 11/81 (mid-year), so you just might have an actual '83 engine.

EDIT: I just remembered that I have an '83 engine hiding in the garage.
The number on it is 163642, so you definitely have an '83.

.

 

[Chris Finlay]

It is definetly a factory paint job.

 

[SailEXIT]

My bike is an 83 850.
Engine #163998

Shaun

 

[JTGS850GL]

Not aware of an existing engine SN v/s model year cross reference but the factory black engine does indeed identify it as an 83+ model.