GS550 that doesn't know when it was made!?

[Burny]

Hello People,
Awesome forum, and great resource.
Me and the boy have been working on a GS550 here in the UK for a few months now.
Non-runner originally, but now starts well and runs nice; clutch is a little sticky finding neutral - but guess the plates are twice the size of something!
Anyway, she is a UK W-Reg first registered in April 1981.

But that is where the issues begin!!

The UK DVLA say that it was first registered in April 1981 ... but also state it was manufactured in December 1981.
Surely I am not the only one who sees the issue here? - because the UK DVLA appear not to?

I wondered is one of you wise and knowledgeable people might be able to help me work when this beast was made ...

Frame No. GS550E 143457
Engine No. GS550 150060 (and it has a kickstart)

Many many thanks,

Niall (& Fergus)

[rphillips]

I presume the metal ID plate is missing from the steering neck? that plate would have had the mfg. date stamped on it... Oh Yeah, Welcome .

[Rijko]

Check this reference : according to that page the last production year to use that kind of frame number is 1980.

( 143457 vs JS1******* )

According to this page the engine could be from a 1979 model.

[Burny]

rphillips / Rijko,

There is no plate on the neck ... just the stamped numbers.

Yes, me trying to decipher the ozebook, I guessed that the frame sat in the 1980 E(T?) period - so 1980 construction?
But, the engine number seems out of sync there .. but, I think I read somewhere that, people state that the frames were the determining factor on time of build/model.
As the engines were used/interchangeable across various models.

I was just hoping that someone would confirm my (possibly wild!) speculations

Best N

[Rijko]

correct - the frame number identifies the bike.

Looks like a bike produced in 1980 ;
first registered in 1981 ;
and someone replaced the engine with a 1979 one.
Maybe even wiring and other parts.

For instance the handlebar switches.
I do not know about the GS550 but most GS models had aluminium
switches until 1980 when Suzuki switched to plastic ones.

[Burny]

Cheer Rijko,

Yes, mine has the metal (aluminium) ones.

The engine (according to the V5 reg document) is the original one (all numbers match); perhaps where some of my confusion lies!!

But cheers for confirming my 'interpretation' of the ozebook.

Best N (& F)

[Nessism]

Kick start means 1979 model year or earlier

[Burny]

Hi Ed,

I think you advised me of that before (in my only other post!) ...
I wonder if they had a 1979 engine, that they stuck in a 1980 frame?

One thing we can be sure of is that the bike wasn't built 8 months after it was registered!

Yours in quiet confusion,

N (& F)

[Cipher]

correct - the frame number identifies the bike.

Looks like a bike produced in 1980 ;
first registered in 1981 ;
and someone replaced the engine with a 1979 one.
Maybe even wiring and other parts.

For instance the handlebar switches.
I do not know about the GS550 but most GS models had aluminium
switches until 1980 when Suzuki switched to plastic ones.

Um no plastic on 83_86

[Rijko]

Um no plastic on 83_86

maybe you want to elaborate a bit on that ?
You mean GS550 maybe ?
'the switch' from aluminium to plastic was 1980 for the GS1000 for sure.
For the GS850, too.

[Redman]

Generally, kickstart means 79 or prior (in US anyway).

Maybe look for a foil tag on side of frame steering neck.....(or maybe that is a US thing).

[Burny]

Dear All,

Thank you for all the responses, really helpful!

Just to close the loop ...

I 'chanced my arm', as they say - and contacted Suzuki ...
I clearly got hold of a nice person, as they did some investigating for me.
The bike was produced in Japan in September 1980.
And was then shipped to the UK around Oct/Nov 1980 and arrived in the UK Jan/Feb 1981.
The frame and engine no. are original, so it was a 1979 engine (sitting around!) fitted to a 1980 frame.

Clearly, Suzuki do have all the details hidden away somewhere!!

And, somewhat significantly, the 'ozebook' speaks the truth!!

Now off the argue with the UK DVLA

Take care people, and safe riding.

Niall (& Fergus)