Potential GS850L owner in UK - needs convincing to take the plunge!

[ShaftCurious]

How did they restrict them? Is it not a reversible fix?

strange how it's listed as registered in 1/6/80. Makes me think something could be amiss

[AMK]

So, chances are this is an 82?
i could grab the frame number tomorrow. What am I looking for for confirmation?

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.ozebook.com/compendium/suzi/engine-nos/engnos.htm&ved=0ahUKEwj_mvD09_PNAhWKSiYKHZtJAzoQFggwMAU&usg=AFQjCNEK-k6pkBhuCJmUFSNn1IDZM8bDCQ

Try this.

[AMK]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.motosport.com/blog/how-to-read-and-check-your-motorcycle-or-atv-vin&ved=0ahUKEwjG5OXN-vPNAhXESiYKHbSwBTsQFggmMAQ&usg=AFQjCNGdeYMFDYixR3SgMZd7E7jHfh4LIg

Or this.

[AMK]

How did they restrict them? Is it not a reversible fix?

strange how it's listed as registered in 1/6/80. Makes me think something could be amiss

I meant the speedo's. The 850 went far faster than the speedo was registered for.

[ShaftCurious]

Great, thanks.

ill try not to get carried away enough to buy it tomorrow then, until I've had a chance to verify its date of manufacture at least.

[ShaftCurious]

I meant the speedo's. The 850 went far faster than the speedo was registered for.

Ah ok. That's kind what I figured (and hoped). Seems a pointless exercise at the time then!
Im wondering if it's had a frame swap at some point..

[Chromedome]

Hi,
the 85mph speedo is just some type US spec for an L model, I think it was to do with the speed limit in Us, it will also have a surround around the 55mph mark, at 85 the needle just goes no further so one just have to watch the Tachometer. Grease the rear wheel splines every time you replace the back tyre with Moly 60.

[steveb922]

The frame number starts 'JS1GS7......', so definitely not an '80 model. That series covers '81, '82 and '83. As most others think, it looks like an '82 model. Seller says he has the US title documents, so it should be easy to check.

[Chromedome]

So, chances are this is an 82?
i could grab the frame number tomorrow. What am I looking for for confirmation?

Z is what your looking for, pull the right side bar back and look on the frame just under the speedo, should give all the details on the label inc the year, should say? GS850GLZ.

[ShaftCurious]

The frame number starts 'JS1GS7......', so definitely not an '80 model. That series covers '81, '82 and '83. As most others think, it looks like an '82 model. Seller says he has the US title documents, so it should be easy to check.

You obviously have keener eyes than me, where did you pull that frame number from?

[steveb922]

It's on the Ebay ad. Unfortunately there's a couple of pieces of wiring in the way of the rest of the number. It's on the right side of the steering stem.

[Chromedome]

So, chances are this is an 82?
i could grab the frame number tomorrow. What am I looking for for confirmation?

Z is what your looking for, pull the right side bar back and look on the frame just under the speedo, steering stem, should give all the details on the label inc the year, should say? GS850GLZ.

also, now I found the Link. Seat is not 80 pattern is 82 and a different shape? 80 air box doesn't have rubber overflow hose through the gearbox at the rear driv.e shaft, 82 does, brake fluid container on an 80 is round not rectangular, 80 doesn't have a side stand warning light, 80 doesn't have warning lights in the tachometer they are in the dash, 80 dash is higher, 82 dash is lower, 80 doesn't have the choke on the handle bars as this does, handlebars don't look like 80s, not high enough, look 82, petrol tank looks like 82 shape and would have two fasteners "bolts" 80 would only have one, 80 filler cap is round 82 is not, tyres on an 80 are 19" and 17" rear, tyres on an 82 are 19" front and 16" rear. Could be totally wrong of course!!...but looks like 82 to me.

[dungdn93]

It's on the Ebay ad. Unfortunately there's a couple of pieces of wiring in the way of the rest of the number. It's on the right side of the steering stem.

[Steve]

Chromedome has absolutely nailed all the points that I noticed regarding the year of the bike.

That is exactly the same year/model/color as my wife's bike when we got it. It has changed a bit over the years, though.

ShaftCurious: the three most common OBJECTIVE objections to the "L" model are handlebars, tank size and seat shape. Any other objections are purely SUBJECTIVE, such as: smaller headlight (might be hard to find a UK-legal version), copious amounts of chrome, etc. As you have seen, some people actually prefer the chrome or the slightly lower seat height, but almost everyone agrees about the poor handlebar shape. The rest of the bike is virtually identical to the G or Euro-spec bike, so handling differences are almost non-existant.

The stock "L" bars were engineered by the Marquis de Sade. There is no doubt about that. My wife's bike came with lower, flatter bars, but she is short and needed bars that came back to her, so we installed bars from a Kaw Z1300B, which are very comfortable (for her).

Bottom line, sit on the bike, see if it is comfortable, especially the handlebars. Handlebars are easily changed. The shape of the seat can be changed, but will likely require the services of a professional upholsterer. The headlight can be changed, but because of its smaller size, you might want to upgrade to a 7" bucket, which will also require different mounting arms. Not a hard job to change them over.

Bottom line: if it fits ergonomically and financially, go for it.

.

[ShaftCurious]

The headlight can be changed, but because of its smaller size, you might want to upgrade to a 7" bucket, which will also require different mounting arms.

All great advice, thanks again guys.
Regarding comment above - what is a 7" bucket?..
Would a headlight from a G spec UK bike fit if I picked up mounting arms with it?