Help with Model Identification GS650 G/GT/GX????

[rphillips]

OK, Now what the hell is the GS650GT listed in this sites model information?????

[canuck1969]

I have this sneaking suspicion that a straight G in the parts diagrams is the Katana variant. That coincides with some wiki sites I have seen on the GS history. They refer to the 81 G as a Katana. The parts diagrams I looked at follow that with the tank and side panels being the katana style and and a oiler cooler.

I suspect the GT model was the standard non katana G that we refer too. That is the only thing that makes any sense. At least that is what I am going with otherwise my OCD wont let me move any further.

I can’t believe this is the first time this has come up. Perhaps I am just too anal.

[hank2]

I have the same model and year as the OP. Yes, it's a GS650G ( T), T indicating the 1981 model. Compact shaft drive, plain bearing crank with engine oil providing the primary lube, rather that separate gear oil. I do believe that the European and possibly Canada sold models of the same bike were named GS650GT as the entire model name regardless of year. The first "Katana" and only shaft drive one was the same drivetrain, with the Katana body work, seat, different bars, addition of oil cooler and different oil pan with cooler ports. None were sold in the US although a few found their way here. Without looking it up, I believe that Katana model was designated the GS650G-M.

That side cover access airbox of the shaft 650's can be lots of fun when attempting to get the hold down clips back on. At the moment I can't recall if it's the top or bottom clip that's very hard to access. The '81 model only has a few one year quirks of it's own. No fuel guage, different choke knob location and earlier '81's take a different cam cover gasket. Parts fiches show the serial no. break for that.

It's been my experience that US Suzuki parts listings do not show the GS650 Katana model at all. UK Suzuki listings do. Of course there's also the chain drive GS650E model which was sold in the US.

*After seeing Rich's post I see that I posted incorrectly above about T indicating '81. X-Z-D for the 3 years of GS650's. The "T" was part of the model designation, not used in the US.

[Rich82GS750TZ]

These are the Suzuki year designator letters for ‘77-‘85

77 - B
78 - C
79 - N
80 - T
81 - X
82 - Z
83 - D
84 - E
85 - F

source

[canuck1969]

Spot on with my findings also. The GT is just to differentiate it from the G Katana. Think I figured out the parts. I did see the valve cover difference although the frame number division is a little off. Mine still has the 16 bolt pattern. At first I though it potentially had an engine swap until I looked up the 82 and the part diagrams still have two different types of gaskets although in 82 they say X and Z variations instead of by serial number. Guessing they figured out that their serial numbers were off a bit.

as for the air box, it is the bottom clip that is a bit of a challenge. Good to know my swearing at it was not without cause.

[Gorminrider]

didn't read all this closely, but the first pages of the parts fiche purport to explain which is which using frame numbers. The frame number is supposed to be on the headstock right side, which, naturally, puts it under the cheesy glued on and so-precious VIN tag...
GTZ=500001~
GTX=501827~

the parts fiche says it applies to certain "E" varieties. These are country codes. The assumption being, that the book applies exactly to bikes exported to those countries, OR you will see a note per the country, as in the list of parts, you might see "E4" to the right, which tells you that part is specifically for that country...I suppose as the bikes went down the line, they were tagged and sorted for export with it. It's no guarantee though.

Canada's code is E28.

It's esoteric, but write it down. It's hard to find if it ever makes you itch for it again. You will note that the parts fiche first page may not include "E28". Hopefully, E28 will be noted as above in the part list that follows each diagram, where there is a difference. Or, there is no difference.

[rphillips]

From all I've seen the Katanas were always designated by an "S" or an "M", thus the GS650 "GM " (shaft dr.) & the GS650 "M" (chain). the only time I've ever seen the "T" it meant an "80" model.... Very interesting.

[Gorminrider]

more: The year of manufacture is supposedly accurate in the VIN. 10th position from the beginning:C=1982
VIN
JS1GP71GOC~
(B would be 1981)

then there is other miscellany I found somewhere that gets a little muddled because noone here really knows: some 650GTs have chrome turn signals. (My GTZ) On black bikes, some have gold pinstriping (My GTZ)while others have red.Some have grey paint on the aluminum rims (My GTZ), some have a real black.
Even harder to pin down: Some may even have running lights in the front signals. Some may even have longer stalks at the front versus shorter ones. The territory gets muddled with 650Gs generally.

[650Skull]

My 82 GS650E Canadian Model
, thumbnail_image1 - Copy rotate.jpg

[650Skull]

List of Vin No's for 80/81/82/83

page3.jpg

[650Skull]

9th and 11th digit determined at the time of manufactur...........maybe these 2 digits are the place, and difference in models. Could you guys with different models post your Vin no's to see the difference in those 2 digits

List of Vin No's for 80/81/82/83
page4.jpg

[650Skull]

Taken from a German Suzuki GS site and translated

http://www.gs-classic.de/index1e.htm

Extract from the site translated


Completely unnoticed in Germany, Suzuki introduced a new, interesting machine in 1981, the Tourer GS 650 GT, which was originally also sold in other countries under the type designation GS 650 G - so do not confuse it with the Katana of the same name. With its rather conservative appearance, the GT was a really fast device with the power it offered, which mainly went across the pond to American customers who were more into cruising on highways.

Black with chrome indicators



The color scheme was also corresponding. They were available in classic black, a warm red metallic and a light blue metallic. But the GT was not completely withheld from fans in the old world, because it went to some European countries and was the inspiration for the GS 650 G Katana. At first glance, the engine appeared to be derived from the GS 550, but it was an independent development for the upper middle class. It had a displacement of almost 700 cc and was designed entirely for two valves.

[Gorminrider]

9th and 11th digit determined at the time of manufactur...........maybe these 2 digits are the place, and difference in models. Could you guys with different models post your Vin no's to see the difference in those 2 digits

List of Vin No's for 80/81/82/83
[ATTACH=CONFIG]62911[/ATTACH]

I can't see those very well but JS1GP71GOCZ104"xxx" Registered as an '82. Black,gold pinstripe had chrome signals.

[650Skull]

I can't see those very well but JS1GP71GOCZ104"xxx" Registered as an '82. Black,gold pinstripe had chrome signals.

need to use a computer or laptop. Right click on pic and open open new tab.....easy to read or download.............don't use a hosting site so cant post large pics

[hank2]

Old thread here. Reading canuck1969's recent postings on completion of his excellent '81 650G (in the carb/fuel/exhaust tech section) had me re-reading this thread as well. The VIN on my '81 GS650G(X) is:

JS1GP71G2B2101xxx

Identical in year, color and striping to canuck1969's bike.

https://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?262581-Hanging-Idle-Improves-with-Mixture-Screw-Weird-one