Exhaust Question

[jlziegler98]

I have a 1979 GS550L. Does anyone know if a left side exhaust from a 1978 GS550 will fit. Seller does not know what model of GS it is, only that it is a 1978. It is a good price can anyone help me?

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. jlziegler98,

The "L" model and "E" model exhausts are different. It will probably fit but the "L" model has more of a trumpet flare and is shorter than the "regular" E model. It would look kind of funny to have half of each exhaust on your bike.

Find out the exact model of the donor bike and go from there. Look in the gallery for pictures.

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[jlziegler98]

Exhaust

Thank you for the welcome. From what I can see this is the best website on the Internet.

Back to my question. First you make a very good point. I definately want a matched pair. Supposing the donor bike is an "L" as I need, do you think the fact that the donor bike is a 78 and mine is a 79 matters?

Thanks for your help!

[jhicok]

Go to bikebandit.com and crossreference the part numbers from the oem parts microfiche for each bike. That's what I did to find interchangability on a rear axle I was lookin for and it worked out well.

[gs scott]

The 78 550 and 79 550 were both 8 valve engines, and so the pipes will most likely line up at the heads the same, use the same gasket, etc. The differences, as were mentioned, will be in the looks of the two different pipes (assuming they're not both L models.)

Also, if they are not the same L model, chances are the exhaust hanger at the rear of the bike will not line up with the pipe's hanger so you'd need to fabricate another hanger on the frame or add an extension to get the pipe and hanger location to connect.

[Steve]

Go to bikebandit.com and crossreference the part numbers from the oem parts microfiche for each bike. That's what I did to find interchangability on a rear axle I was lookin for and it worked out well.

Comparing Bike Bandit's numbers to other Bike Bandit numbers will work OK, but you will be better off using anybody else's part numbers.

Bike Bandit seems to be the only parts supplier that uses their own part numbering system for OEM parts.

ALL the others use genuine Suzuki part numbers.



Back to your question: Other than the afore-mentioned difference between the L and E models, there will be no problem putting a '78 pipe on your '79 bike.

.

[Nessism]

I put 550L pipes on a 550E before and the rear mounts had to be modified. Not a huge deal but I think you should use both sides the same to make sure the crossover pipes align.