No Exhaust Replacement Parts

[Paul Kelly]

Hi Everyone, I am lucky to have a pristine GS1000GL /81 model. However the 4 into 1 header currently on the bike is getting tired and rusty. I'd like to replace the whole system as is or go back to a stock setup. Does anyone know where to find parts for either? My local dealer tells me there are no components available from Suzuki or any aftermarket source for my model year. Appearantly 1981 was an odd year due to changes to the engine head. Any info on parts sources or workarounds would be greatly appreciated.

[Nessism]

All 8 valve GS1000 and 1100 heads are the same as far as exhaust port spacing is concern, so not sure who feed you that information regarding a change. I think the pertinent change relates to a muffler hanger change for '81 - above the muffler instead of below for the earlier bikes. Some people report that a simple bracket can be fabricated to allow you to install a commonly available V&H on your bike but I have no personal experience in the matter so you might want to research some more.

[twr1776]

Paul, E-bay, Cracklist, etc. is going to be your only source for a hopefully gently used OEM pipe. The 1000L & 1100L pipes are the same OEM pipe, at least on my bikes. The V & H street megaphone you can still purchase new is V120005 pipe which is the current V & H listing for the 1000 E/G/L models. I bought one a few years ago for my 1000 and it was a V120005-G pipe which is no longer available. It fits on the head perfectly and as Ed mentioned the rear mount did not match up but I used a piece of heavy muffler hanger off the back or the rear peg mount and you cannot notice it unless you are really looking for it. I would think the V120005 is still pretty close and will need a similar rear bracket modification but should work. I was able to keep the centerstand and also can change the oil filter without dropping the pipe. The chrome although probably not as good as it used to be is still pretty good and I am happy with mine overall. I have had it on for about 10 K and just the front part by the head has turned the golden color, the rest of the chrome is still in good shape. It is also fairly quiet when you are not whipping on it but it definately has the old school sound from 5K up.

[OldVet66]

Mine was getting pretty ugly, rusty and pitted. I ended up sanding it and painting it with VHT flat black. It looks good enough now, that I'm not planning to replace it anytime soon.

[oldgsfan]

Mine was getting pretty ugly, rusty and pitted. I ended up sanding it and painting it with VHT flat black. It looks good enough now, that I'm not planning to replace it anytime soon.

Say, I wouldn't mind seeing a photo of that if you've got one. My pipes look pretty nasty, too, and I just can't spare $400 bucks right now for a new set. I hadn't thought about painting them, though.

I'd like to see what that looks like.
By the way, on the original post, I hate the lousy advice most dealerships give about these old bikes. I think they're just motivated to try and get people to buy new bikes. They don't care about helping anyone maintain an old one.

[koolaid_kid]

Paul, E-bay, Cracklist, etc. is going to be your only source for a hopefully gently used OEM pipe. The 1000L & 1100L pipes are the same OEM pipe, at least on my bikes. The V & H street megaphone you can still purchase new is V120005 pipe which is the current V & H listing for the 1000 E/G/L models. I bought one a few years ago for my 1000 and it was a V120005-G pipe which is no longer available. It fits on the head perfectly and as Ed mentioned the rear mount did not match up but I used a piece of heavy muffler hanger off the back or the rear peg mount and you cannot notice it unless you are really looking for it. I would think the V120005 is still pretty close and will need a similar rear bracket modification but should work. I was able to keep the centerstand and also can change the oil filter without dropping the pipe. The chrome although probably not as good as it used to be is still pretty good and I am happy with mine overall. I have had it on for about 10 K and just the front part by the head has turned the golden color, the rest of the chrome is still in good shape. It is also fairly quiet when you are not whipping on it but it definately has the old school sound from 5K up.

Tim's system looks like heck, rusty as all get out, and stupidly loud. Except that it is not loud. Or rusty. And it looks good.
Well, OK. I remember telling him the last time we rode together, that it sounded nice for an aftermarket. Not too loud, deep sound, decent look.
Peace, Tim.

[twr1776]

Today, 08:45 AM koolaid_kid Tim's system looks like heck, rusty as all get out, and stupidly loud. Except that it is not loud. Or rusty. And it looks good. Well, OK. I remember telling him the last time we rode together, that it sounded nice for an aftermarket. Not too loud, deep sound, decent look. Peace, Tim.

Too bad it is mounted on a shaft drive with extra bling though. Or not?

[OldVet66]

Here are some links to picks of my nasty old pipes. The bike hasn't been cleaned in several weeks. http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7BVqyx4pml4pLQFSZiDQ30SZDkUcVTs9uJaEULWC518?feat=d irectlink