Gs400

[zuluwiz]

My neighbor recently acquired a 77 GS400 and I was wondering about the brakes. His bike has drum brakes on both wheels and I always thought the GS series had disc brakes on the front exclusively. Am I wrong about this, or has someone buggered this particular bike? The bike runs ok, but I for one would not want drum brakes especially on the front end. Why would anyone want to make a swap like that?

 

[Nessism]

The GS400XB model had the drum. There are dozens of OEM parts sources with the original fishe where you can see the details. Partzilla, Parts Outlaw, Alpha Sport are but a few...

 

[Chuck78]

I think there was a 78 version, too, a GS400XC. No 79 version of the GS425 though, but L models were added.

 

[bwringer]

A '78 GS400 with a front drum was my first GS (as noted above, there were two versions in 1978, one with a front disc).

The front brake worked perfectly fine, and better than you might expect, with new brake shoes and some attention to lubricating the cable and the various pivot points. It's a light, simple bike.

As with any GS, the brakes can be disappointing if you're depending on 40 year old friction materials, lines/cables, and all the moving parts are corroded and dry. A little refreshing can make a startling difference.

 

[Charlie G]

I bought a GS400 new in 1977 because my step father had bought one the year before. His had drum brakes and was the economy model. Mine had disc brakes on the front, a fuel gauge and a gear indicator. I opted for the upgraded model.