will a 1981 gs850 motor fit?

[kpkopelli1985]

hi. i have a 82 and also a 81 gs 650 and both motors are blown from years of abuse and i would like to know if a gs 850 motor would fit into either of these frames.
thanks

[Nessism]

Won't fit, and please do NOT cross-post here.

[tom203]

hi. i have a 82 and also a 81 gs 650 and both motors are blown from years of abuse and i would like to know if a gs 850 motor would fit into either of these frames.
thanks

No, but two 650's "blown from years of abuse" ? more info please .

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr.

You will find that this is a very active forum with many experts in all areas who are willing to share their expertise. There is no need to post the same incident in different sections.

As for your engine transplant proposal, it would be way more trouble than it's worth. Besides the different mount points in the frame and other frame mods, the driveshaft assembly is different. I'm not saying it's impossible but you'd better be really good at fabricating and modifying parts.

I suggest in the future you take proper care of your machines. The Suzuki GS is a very robust series of motorcycles and they will last 100,000 miles or more if you take care of them. Read all of the information contained in the links below for proper procedures and best practices.

Anyway, 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

[bwringer]

Nope -- the 650 is physically a much smaller bike.

[tkent02]

hi. i have a 82 and also a 81 gs 650 and both motors are blown from years of neglect and i would like to know if a gs 850 motor would fit into either of these frames.
thanks

Fixed it for you.

[tom203]

Fixed it for you.

Sneaky! but maybe he wasn't the "neglectee" , just an innocent bystander commenting on others.

[hjfisk]

The other ? is what is actually wrong with the 2 other motors and what model 650, are they E or L models? as I recall don't the E's have a roller crank and the L's have a insert crank?I know I changed a motor on an L this past spring that supposedly ran on it's side after a low speed crash and it lost a bearing. It did have a bad bearing when I took the top end off for Steve

[kpkopelli1985]

first let me say thanks for the answers and sorry for posting in more than one place and this is not to be a smart ass but does everyone have to pop my hands with the ruler? between the two posts like 4 people commented about that.
second... this is not my first account with this forum although it has been a couple of years (and a couple motorcycles) ago so i've read all those links around the forum except the external links basscliff. they helped me a lot cuttin my eye teeth with my gs bikes.
more info tom? age 18-24 no other vehicle except a motorcycle. wind rain sleet and hurricanes (i live in myrtle beach and hurricane part isn't a joke just has not been one last couple years for us). then you add in the spring and fall bike rallys with burn out contests and racing with friends... i've owned 4 different gs models. 2 survived and got passed on.
the 82 however i was in my first serious wreck on and the bike was totaled. i cut chopped and rebuilt it into a retro style chop that the older guys really didn't think i was old enough to be on. i rebuilt the top end but then the bottom end started with issues so i sacrificed my 81 stock parts bike (i also had running and on the road). that motor went out almost 2 years ago. now my brother has asked me to get the chop back runnin and i told him if i could it was his.
so is there any other gs motor that fits in that frame? also would i be able to swap the swing arm from a 850 for the driveshaft issue? the frame mods i can do no problem.
thanks again guys

[kpkopelli1985]

The other ? is what is actually wrong with the 2 other motors and what model 650, are they E or L models? as I recall don't the E's have a roller crank and the L's have a insert crank?I know I changed a motor on an L this past spring that supposedly ran on it's side after a low speed crash and it lost a bearing. It did have a bad bearing when I took the top end off for Steve

the 81 motor i'm pretty sure is a 650 gl and the 82 was a 650 e.


does anyone close to me have one of these bikes for sale? lol

[Nessism]

does anyone close to me have one of these bikes for sale? lol

I hear there is one located on earth somewhere. Is that close enough?

[kpkopelli1985]

I hear there is one located on earth somewhere. Is that close enough?

anything is close enough with my trusty rocket pack!!!!

[Steve]

the 81 motor i'm pretty sure is a 650 gl and the 82 was a 650 e.

Two radically different engines, even though they look very similar.

Easiest way to tell is to look between the engine and the rear wheel.
If there is a chain that drives the wheel, it's an "E" model.
If there is a shaft that drives the wheel, it's either a "G" or a "GL" model.

To determine whether it's a G or GL, look at the following items:
Front fork - L has leading axle and two disk brakes
Front fender - L is chrome, G is painted
Headlight size - L is 6", G is 7"
Handlebar shape - L has longer pull-back bars
Tank size and shape - L has 3.5 gallon peanut tank, G has larger tank, about 4.3 gallons
Seat shape - L has stepped seat, G is flatter
Tail light - L is separate unit on fender, G is just under the tail cowl
Rear fender - L is chrome, G is black plastic
Muffler size - L pipes are shorter, ending ahead of the axle

Back to your original question: the 850 is a much bigger engine and would not fit in the smaller 650 frame.
If your 650 is an E, with chain drive, you will have to do further modifications to the swingarm area to accommodate the shaft drive.

Regardless of your fabrication skills, I really doubt that the effort would be worth it.
You would be better off making your own frame from scratch or, better yet, find another bike or frame.

.

[tom203]

kpkopelli said...."more info tom? age 18-24 no other vehicle except a motorcycle. wind rain sleet and hurricanes ........"

I'll pass this info along to my daughters.
Anyways,a few 650 shafty blocks on ebay still (pickup only)- in Michigan area as I recall- why not rent a car and plan on a winter vacation to experience new weather!

[tom203]

To determine whether it's a G or GL, look at the following items:
Front fork - L has leading axle and two disk brakes
Front fender - L is chrome, G is painted
Headlight size - L is 6", G is 7"
Handlebar shape - L has longer pull-back bars
Tank size and shape - L has 3.5 gallon peanut tank, G has larger tank, about 4.3 gallons
Seat shape - L has stepped seat, G is flatter
Tail light - L is separate unit on fender, G is just under the tail cowl
Rear fender - L is chrome, G is black plastic
Muffler size - L pipes are shorter, ending ahead of the axle



.

I must have a Frankenbike!
leading axle with single caliper, narrow handlebars, 3.5 gal tank, but mufflers end 6 inches past axle and they are stamped gs650 GL