Newbie on Choke for 1980 GS1000GL

[Guest]

So I am a bit confused. On the bike I could not find the choke "plunger". Not sure where it is supposed to be stock. Also could not find a "cable" just hanging around.

Then I got some great carbs from motomike and these ones have different connections for the choke cable. I have attached a couple of pictures to show the difference.

On this picture the top set of carbs are the ones that came with the bike and the bottom ones are from Motomike.



Here are a couple of close ups of the different brackets.

Here is the set of carbs that came with the bike....



And the new to me set...




Thank you very much for the help.

[Nessism]

What's your question?

[Steve]

The first set is from '80/'81, the second set is correct for '82 and up.

The "choke" mechanism is at the bottom of your picture (the carbs are upside down), between carbs 2&3. In the '80 carbs, it is a mechanism that pulls up with the cable. The mechanism transfers that motion to a horizontal motion to pull the plungers out to the left. On the '82 carbs, a cable goes through the curved tube, over to an anchor between carbs 3&4, but much closer to #4. The cable anchors differently to the mechanism, the whole mechanism is different, I think the rod is even different.

To be able to use the '82 setup, you will also have to change the activation point on the upper end of the cable. The '82 bikes had a lever that is moved by your left thumb, under the turn signal switch housing.

It will be an easy project (about 15-20 minutes) to change all the mechanism and linkage from the '80 carbs to the '82 carbs if that is what you are going to install on the bike.

If you choose to stay with your '80 linkage (the easier choice), I would be interested in purchasing the '82 linkage.


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[norman1950]

Thank you for thr info. I guess my question is what choke mechanism do I need to get if I stick with 1980 set up. Where does it go stock? Doing a search on google gives a couple of different results.

Alternatively what is the "best" style of choke to go with. I am going clip on style or drag bars. Getting rid of stock for sure.

Thanks again.

[tkent02]

Probably the later style is easier to use, especially if you still have the clutch danger switch in use. Also on the older ones when the cable gets worn, the knob won't stay up.

[Nessism]

In one of your other threads Cliff provided you his Mega welcome. Within, you will find a link to his website and a free service manual download. Check it out and you will see what choke type your bike is supposed to have. You can also go to one of the numerous on-line Suzuki parts suppliers and look up the parts that way too.

Good luck

[nejeff]

Probably the later style is easier to use, especially if you still have the clutch danger switch in use. Also on the older ones when the cable gets worn, the knob won't stay up.

The later model is easier but won't you need to change your left hand controls also. I don't think you can attach the thumb choke lever to your existing 80' model controls

[norman1950]

Thank you all for the help! With the info you have given me looks like I will go ahead and just get a "plunger" from the 1980. I like the looks of the later models on the handlebar switch. But those are hard to find and spendy. I will just go ahead and run this on the triple tree (maybe) and call it good. A brand new one is only $15 on ebay.

Thanks again.

[Steve]

The later model is easier but won't you need to change your left hand controls also. I don't think you can attach the thumb choke lever to your existing 80' model controls

It's possible. I have added the '82 "choke" control to an '81 450 control housing and it is installed on "Rat Bagger".

The 'headlight disable' feature has been eliminated, too, so he also has a working headlight switch.