'86 GS400 information?

[Guest]

Hello all! New user here, I'll start off with some background information. I'm new to bikes, but not to mechanics in general. I stumbled upon this forum from somebody that referenced the stator papers article. In a few days I'll be buying a 1986 GS400 off of a friend of mine. It's been sitting for 18 months so it'll need some work to get running I'm sure. I'm not looking for anyone to tell me exactly what to do. I am however wondering if anyone has any articles or manuals for that would pertain to my situation. Things like cleaning these specific carbs, or even what carbs would come on the bike. I'm also curious as to if anyone knows what parts would be cross compatible from other models, or years that this bike was sold.

Thanks for the read!

[Steve]

You bring a puzzle to the forum. You are "not looking for anyone to ell me exactly what to do.", yet you are asking what all you need to do.

For a start, click HERE to see the "Top Ten Newbie Mistakes".

When you have fully absorbed that information, click HERE to go to our "library". I believe there is a copy of a factory service manual for your bike there.

As far as what is compatible, you will have to rely on some of your countrymen for that information, as we did not get that model in the US of eh.

.

[HamamatsuSuzi]

Are you talking about the S model with the four valve heads? You can tell by the rectangular end caps on the cam cover, if it's a four valve. That engine is unique and parts less available than the 450. I believe the later 400S was a Canada only model so engine parts will be harder to obtain. The gas tank and tail end was different as well, but other parts like switchgear, gauges, wheels and other cosmetics are the same as the GS's of the same year.

[F3dora]

Steve, I think you misunderstood. The links you provided were exactly what I was looking for, the second one especially.

HamamatsuSuzi, it very well might be the gs400s, I would not be surprised. I'll have to get some pictures when he gets back. He sent me the vin but I'm having some trouble decoding it, I think he might've misread a few letters. TS1GK51A1B2101045 is what he sent me, but I'm assuming the first digit is actually a J. Even working off that I can't find much of anything besides the fact that it's probably an '81. Again thanks for the input guys.

[Gorminrider]

Yes J is first, not T.
Yes it's an '81 from the B

I'm not aware of anything in the VIN that tells you it's an S,an E or a T or an L but a picture will tell all.
E has a square tank.
S is an E with fairings
T has a teardrop tank
L is a T with a Hugely stepped seat

IF its what we think it is, and not a 450, On your engine, you will likely see GS40X or similar at the serial number on the engine which will have the square cam end covers mentioned, This GSX stuff tells you it's got 4 valves per piston...and "TSCC" which the shop manual goes into in depth
The manual is at Bass Cliff's. You want the 250-300 manual AND the smaller GSX400 manual which is an addendum to the 250 manual. They are very similar gsx engines.

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/

HAYNES also has a manual if you can find it.
They were common bikes in Canada, parts of europe, UK, and Japan.
go here
All Suzuki Motorcycles Ever Built

and here

https://www.cmsnl.com/suzuki-motorcycle_model13053/

and you will get a handle on it...