1978 GS1000E correct gauge face colours.

[rustybronco]

I need to find out which inner ring colour is correct for a 1978 GS1000E

I have two sets of gauges for the 78~79 GS1000E's. but, because both set of gauges are in very nice condition for their age, it's really hard for me to decide which set to use for my 1000 restoration. Sorry this might seem a bit like I'm splitting splitting hairs, but that's what it has came down to.

the original set off the bike were badly faded and aren't going to be of any use in figuring out which set to use. the gauge set P/N for the 1978 GS1000E is 34100-49070


this second set is off of a 1979 GS1000E and the P/N for the gauge set is 34100-49071.
'note the inner ring is a light shade of violet'.





this set was recently on Ebay and had a P/N of 34100-49072 on the tag. I suspect it is the latest P/N in the supersession chain and is the replacement for first two P/N's.
'note the inner ring is a light brown.'





this set I bought off Ebay was advertised as being from a 1978 GS1000.
'note it also has a brown inner ring.'

[chuck hahn]

Dale...Just went and checked all 3 of mine as I hadnt noticed a difference..all 3 are exactly the same, so I snapped a pic of the speedo and tach. Hope this helps. I am calling it smokey grey.

[rustybronco]

Chuck, thanks for taking the time to look and for the pictures. I had hoped you'd chime in on the matter. it looks like the ones off Greg Wasserott's 1979 GS1000E are the correct gauges. that sure makes things a bit easier. now I don't have to take the brown faced one back apart to reset the mileage. on the brown faced ones I already re-crimped the gauges, the violet coloured ones I was waiting till I repainted the needles.

[chuck hahn]

The Violet may be an after effect of some seriuos sun fading.

[rustybronco]

Chuck, I think when these gauges get severely faded, the brown 'face' turns blue. you can see it in this picture on three of the gauges faces.

[Frank Z.]

When it comes to ink fade —due to sunlight exposure— reds fade most, then yellows, and blue last. If you look at old posters/billboards, you'll notice that they appear more blue than anything. Such the same with old clock graphics maybe?

[Suzuki mad]

Both my 1000's are running the same clocks as the violet ones you show. Mines a 79 1000S and a 81 E.

[rustybronco]

That's five for the violet and zero against. Thanks Suzuki mad.

I wonder what the brown inner was used on. was it only used on the replacement gauges perhaps?

[Big T]

Dale

My original 78 gauges are brown

[chuck hahn]

Yeah...what Big T said!!!!!!

[rustybronco]

Big T, just to clarify what you are stating, is the inner 'kp/h' ring colour on your factory stock 1000 a light brown?

[rustybronco]

The colour on this NOS speedometer is a bit odd.

[SVSooke]

So I checked mine.Being a Canadian KPH bike there was no ring

[Suzuki mad]

If you go on part numbers the one ending in 34100-49070 would have been the original part and any further numbers so 071, 072, 073 would have been the subsequent part number changes and later versions.
If you're being anal about it for a 78 GS1000 flow blown concourse restoration then a 070 or possibly an 071 would be the correct clock but few would know the difference.

[rustybronco]

Not looking to do a full blown concourse restoration, I just know the manufacturers like to change things when they supersede part numbers.