Please forgive newbie question - trying to find my way...

[scamper123]

Newbie here - just bought my first GS - a 1983 gs450l - which, to my understanding, with two header pipes, is a two cylinder motor, though I can find no significant mention of them here in either the history pages or the forums. Perhaps I should be relegated to another website that only concentrates on the lowly 2's - my main confusion results from no apparent difference in the model #'s for bikes from this model year with respect to the number of cylinders. Are there actually GS450l's with either 2 or 4 cylinders? I saw one reference to a different valve config, but still am not able to find my subset of users, and would like to target my questions to them if possible.

Any help is humbly appreciated.

C

[mike_of_bbg]

First off, welcome!

To the best of my knowledge 450ccs and under are twins. 550ccs and up are 4-cylinders. Here's a page with a model list:

http://thegsresources.com/gs_modelchart.htm

That shows a 500cc model which I've never seen mentioned except for newer models. Also shows a 125cc, never heard of that one. Some countries had different models due to regulations.

You can always go to a parts site like alpha-sports.com and check out the fiches to see diagrams of the internal parts. Alpha-sports.com is a great place to look at fiches but don't buy parts there - too $$$$.

[Mekanix]

These are the variations of bikes.

The 400 and 650 are the only engines that have a 2 and 4 cylinder and they are quite different.

GS250 Twin 4 or 8 valve
GS300 Twin 4 or 8 valve
GN400 Single 2 valve
GS400 Twin 4 or 8 Valve
GSX400 Four cylinder 16 valve (small GSXR)
GS425 Twin 4 valve only
GS450 Twin 4 valve only
GS500 Twin 4 valve only
GS550 Four cylinder 8 or 16 valve
GS650 Four cylinder 4 valve only
GR650 Twin 4 valve only
GS750 Four cylinder 8 or 16 valve
GS850 Four cylinder 8 valve only
GS1000 Four cylinder 8 or 16 valve
GS1100 Four cylinder 8 or 16 valve

[cowboyup3371]

Look up Pete on here (name and username) and check out his 450 build...you'll love what he did with it.

[scamper123]

Thanks...

...For the kind welcome, the redirect to my specific area of the forums, and the generous info and tips already offered. It's great to know there are folks out here willing to take time to help lead the newbies along a bit. I'm looking forward to learning more about this bike.

[spyug]

The 450s are great little bikes and perfect first time road bikes. Peppy enough to keep you entertained but not enough to get into serious trouble......well maybe.

Nice bike to learn wrenching on too and all the info you will ever need is on this site. As previously mentioned, they are well represented and the guys & gals ar doing amazing things with them.

You will get an official welcome in due course with a great amount of detail to help you along. In the meanwhile, tell us what you intend on doing and post up some pics of your new ride.

Good luck, enjoy and welcome aboard too.

Cheers,
spyug

[Cdnpt1]

I honestly have to say i have more fun and am more relaxed doing it on my 450 than any other bike i jave. Pete, Apopleptic, and I am sure a few others have done really nice things with their bikes and you will be able to find an answer to any question you have when you get into working on yours. Good luck and have fun!

[Nessism]

This website has a Suzuki parts fishe so you can look up all the various parts for your bike and others. http://www.alpha-sports.com/suzuki_parts.htm The part prices are high, but the fishe is the best I've found for looking up information. For example, click around on the 450, various years, and you will realize it's a 2 cylinder bike.

Good luck