425 Power at the crankshaft?

[Keyser Söze]

Hey folks

I just bought a GS425 only to discover it has fallen through a gap in local licensing law (its a very rare bike in Australia). I am on a power/weight restricted license, the GS425 falls within the limitations but i need to prove it to the paper pushers. I have been searching for this info for a fair while without success so i thought i would try here.

Can anyone help me with this? I need to be able to cite a "credible" source stating the 425's Power (at the crankshaft).

[Flyboy]

Hi and welcome to the nut house, hope you enjoy your stay.
Basscliff should be along shortly with your world famous mega welcome, packed full of GS lovin' and info, in the mean time.

From http://www.suzukicycles.org/1970-1979/1979a.shtml

GS 425 E 1979
Overall Length: 2 090 mm (82.3 in)
Overall Width: 835 mm (32.9 in)
Overall Height: 1 100 mm (43.3 in)
Seat Height: 785 mm (30.9 in)
Wheelbase: 1 385 mm (54.5 in)
Ground Clearance: 155 mm (6.1 in)
Dry Weight: 170 kg (374 lbs)
Engine type: Air-cooled 423 cc inline-2, DOHC, 4 valves. 40 hp (29,5 kW)/ 8,500 rpm, 31,3 Nm/ 7,000 rpm. 6-speed gearbox.

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. Keyser Söze,

Let me dump a TON if information on you and share some GS lovin'.

I just stopped by to welcome you to the forum in my own, special way.

If there's anything you'd like to know about the Suzuki GS model bikes, and most others actually, you've come to the right place. There's a lot of knowledge and experience here in the community. Come on in and let me say "HOoooowwwDY!"....

Here is your very own magical, mystical, mythical, mind-expanding "mega-welcome". Please take notice of the "Top 10 Common Issues", "Top 15 Tips For GS Happiness", the Carb Cleanup Series, and the Stator Papers. All of these tasks must be addressed in order to have a safe, reliable machine. Now let me roll out the welcome mat for you...



Please click here for your mega-welcome, chock full of tips, suggestions, links to vendors, and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I've been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. Don't forget, we like pictures! Not you, your bike!

Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Big Rich]

Just reading this and thought I may ask another question : round about when did Suzuki start measuring HP at the wheel compared to at the crank?

If I'm not mistaken, the modern GS500 lost some HP (on paper) due to this. So it's safe to say sometime well after 1989?

[Keyser Söze]

No idea Big Rich..

Just to give folks an idea, I probably cant use this kind of info:

http://www.motorbikespecs.net/index.dyn?flag=2&model_id=1915431&make=Suzuki

But could probably use this:

http://www.suzukicycles.org/photos/GS/GS425/1979_GS425_sales1_bw_800.jpg

(if it actually had the info i need)

So if anyone knows of a website that has old advertisements of anything official from Suzuki please let me know

If i cant sort this out in the next 2 weeks i have to sell it on! D:

[pete]

Hey mate, have you checked the Clymer and Haynes manuals available on BassCliff's site yet? Not sure if they list the 425's or not but one of them should.

Alternatively, check if an eBay seller "e-Classic Bike" (or similar) has a factory reproduction manual for it which may list the info.

Where in Aus are you? According to my rego papers my 450 is LAMS approved...

[Keyser Söze]

G'day Pete..
I'm in Melbourne
I have the original owners manual and a clymer service manual. No info on power.

The 400, the 450 and the 500 are LAMS approved but they didnt bother with the 425!
Bugger.
So if i can get this info i will apply for its addition to the list. A few problems have popped up with the bike.. By the time i have dealt with them i might not be too far off from an unrestricted license anyway.

[bccap]

Does this help ?

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/suzu/suzuki_gs425%2079.htm

[Billy Ricks]

Does this help ?

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/mod...gs425%2079.htm

Shows the wrong tire sizes for the '85 700.

[pete]

G'day Pete..
I'm in Melbourne
I have the original owners manual and a clymer service manual. No info on power.

The 400, the 450 and the 500 are LAMS approved but they didnt bother with the 425!
Bugger.
So if i can get this info i will apply for its addition to the list. A few problems have popped up with the bike.. By the time i have dealt with them i might not be too far off from an unrestricted license anyway.

There's a few of you down in Melbourne now

I can't believe they missed the 425... weird! Surely if they have the 400, 450, and 500 they'd know the 425 is fine... but that's the transport dept for you

What about a local dealer? Can they source the info for you? Did you try that eBay seller to see if he has a factory reproduction manual for the 425?

I just checked my Haynes and factory repro manuals and neither cover the 425 unfortunately...

[Nessism]

Just reading this and thought I may ask another question : round about when did Suzuki start measuring HP at the wheel compared to at the crank?

If I'm not mistaken, the modern GS500 lost some HP (on paper) due to this. So it's safe to say sometime well after 1989?

I don't think Suzuki ever switched to rear wheel hp.

[Billy Ricks]

I don't think Suzuki ever switched to rear wheel hp.

Most all bike manufacturers post numbers at the crank.

[SqDancerLynn1]

Copy the info from suzukicycles into an email and send it to SUZUKI ask them to verify the info on their letterhead...

[pete]

Copy the info from suzukicycles into an email and send it to SUZUKI ask them to verify the info on their letterhead...

Good call! Surely Suzuki themselves will verify or provide the figures? All they need to do is look at their marketing material from back then surely...