Suzuki Fork mystery - GS850

[Guest]

Anyone know what model Suzuki these forks are off? I got them with the GS850 parts bike i bought but they are not from a GS850 1980 model as the brakes don’t fit the mounts. Issue is the brakes don’t fit, and the speedo sender is fouling on the fork leg in it’s natural rear facing position.

C0B6B8EB-00B9-4531-B18B-2DE0F8975491.jpg

[Steve]

Those <could> be off an 850, but they would be the "L" model, because they have the leading axle.

The caliper mounts will be different, as will the speedo drive and fender.

.

[bigsmellyfred]

Looks like my GS850L fork.

Anyone know what model Suzuki these forks are off? I got them with the GS850 parts bike i bought but they are not from a GS850 1980 model as the brakes don’t fit the mounts. Issue is the brakes don’t fit, and the speedo sender is fouling on the fork leg in it’s natural rear facing position.

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[Xwagon]

Thanks lads, now looking for a set of ‘G’ forks as i prefer these over the leading axle type and can use my already rebuilt calipers.

[Steve]

It's not a matter of "preference", it's a matter of "what fits".

There is nothing inherently wrong with leading-axle forks, as long as the rest of the steering mechanism matches them.

.

[bwringer]

Yup. Are you positive the rest of the bike is a G and not a GL?

[Xwagon]

Preference is king in this instance, but the fitment issue drove me to insanity

[Xwagon]

Good question, actually not sure, i believe (totally unfounded) from the forks back, the chassis and running gear are all the same...just the handle bars and seat amongst other little things i imagine. Most of the bike has been rebuilt it’s custom or new parts so it would be hard to identify the actual model looking at it now without checking out the chassis/VIN number.

[Steve]

Gauges?
Gas tank size/shape?
Front mounting location for gas tank?
Side cover shape/mounting?
Stepped or flat seat?
What's behind the seat? Is it a painted body panel over a plastic fender or is it a chrome fender?

Yeah, some of those might have been changed during customization, but not all of them.

.

[bwringer]

Yep, the frames and other bits of the body are different.

A chrome rear fender is a big indicator you've got a GL and not a G.

Another is little plastic covers screwed to the frame just behind the steering stem; this indicates a GL. On a G, the tank sits a little further forward so there are no covers here.


Here are pics of two 1983 models that will give you some more visual indicators of the differences.


Here's a 1983 GS850GL:

The rack and sissy bar are '80s aftermarket.



Here's my 1983 GS850G:

Again, rack, floppy trunk bag, and doofy air seat are aftermarket... also, the stock G headlight is black plastic with a chrome ring, and mine is an all chrome replacement. Also, in this photo my G is wearing black plastic aftermarket front turn signals. OEM were chrome like the rear. And it's facing the other direction. And a few other odds and ends are a little different, like missing reflectors up front and missing seat grab bar.

The exhausts on the GL and G are a little different as well -- the end of the GL exhaust has six little "pea shooter" tubes surrounding the central hole, and the G has one central hole and is overall a little longer. Hard to see in these side shots.

There are several other detail differences, but that should at least enable you to figure out what you have. And of course if you can post a few pics, the GSR Hive Mind will probably be able to instantly ID your bike.