Model identification

[Guest]

I've picked up a GS400 with the chassis number GS400 - 72977 and the engine number GS400 - 77872. Australian Design Rules plate on the bike states it's Sept 1980 model but I've been trying to find some brake pads and other spares for this bike based on the 1980 GS400 and nothing fits. The Haynes manual also mentions GS400E, GS400T, UK models, US models, etc. What do I have? Can anyone shed some light on this machine?

[JTGS850GL]

How about some PICS?

[Larry D]

Look through here and see if you can find one.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_scripts/gallerydisp.php

[brettule]

Here is the pic

[koolaid_kid]

If the plate says September 1980 then it is most likely a 1981 model. Just a thought.

[Gorminrider]

also, Go here and find your bike

http://www.suzukicycles.org/All-Suzuki/all_suzuki_models.html

I can't find an 81, but I believe yours is very similar to the '79 there.

I believe you are better off with the Clymer manual on Bass-Cliff's site....
Your motor appears to be a 4 valve.
BUT The Haynes is pretty much for 8 valve GSX400 and GSX 250 motors. The "X" here,after GS is supposed to represent the 4 valves per cylinder.sum is 8valves on a two cylinder motor. This is the case as I understand it.
(However, and this is where it gets confusing if it were a GS400TX the last X would mean 1981, while the T would mean Custom or Traditional...Also, many times they are both called GS 400's in parts books and such online, whether 4 or 8 valve sooo,

Square caps at the cam ends are 8 valve, round caps at cam ends , like yours, are 4 valve....if it helps, you would share a lot with the GS425 motor, I believe- it is a bored-out GS400.
these rules work for a few years at least. Suzuki made a lot of models and seemed to almost provide different bikes for each country!

[koolaid_kid]

It is most certainly a 4 valve engine, 2 valves per cylinder. I do not believe it to be a T, however, because of the rear fender cowl. A T model would have a rounded chrome fender, that one does not.
Your source does not list all models for all years, unfortunately.

[Calliway]

looks identical to my 77GS400B from the drum brake to the round front brake pads. Mikuni CV carbs and the round cam end covers all identical to mine.

[Gorminrider]

I think there's a few bits from other bikes in the mix. The rear signals appear to be from an 80 or 81 GS450E (like pete's,and on my '81 GSX400E)...both these bikes have the toaster tank.
koolaid kid has a good point per fender- I think I've seen that on an '89 450T recently

[koolaid_kid]

I agree, Gorminrider. Notice the rear turn signal is rectangular instead of round, and the cowl is in primer gray.
Is the front fender chrome? Another tell for a "T" model.

[brettule]

Yeah the front mud guard is chrome. I was working on the front disc brake and reading the workshop manual it said that models up to and including 1979 used the disc pads I had. 1980 and onwards used a more square pad. So it seems even though the Australian Design Reg plate on the bike is stamped as Sept 1980 the bike is actually a 1979 machine.

[koolaid_kid]

We suspect your bike is a combination of two or more bikes, so it is entirely possible a previous owner put a 1979 front end on your 1980 motorcycle.