GS550E Engine Differences 1979-80

[Guest]

I have an 80 that needs top end work. A member here gave me the heads up about a parts bike near me CHEAP and the seller has already responded. It's a 1979. Other than the kickstart, what are the differences between these two years, particularly the engines? Is all the top end stuff (covers at least) compatible?

And yes, if I get it I will share any other goodies on it I don't need or with my GSR buds :-D I guess the pipes are in good shape and I don't need those!

[hampshirehog]

The main motor change at this date was the cylinder head. You'll need to get the right carbs (VMs became CVs) + rubbers but the heads do swap over. If you intend to run with the original airbox you'll have to swap over as well + the throttle cable is different. Choke arrangement also changed - 79 operates with a lever on the carbs, not on the handlebars. It does all fit with a bit of fiddling and is easy to do if you have donor bike as you'll have all the parts. Slightly higher lift on the later cams + better porting but no noticeable power gain. (IMHO VMs are a much simpler and better design carb).
Oh, and the kickstart does slightly foul the right footpeg at the end of the stroke if you're not careful.

Wally

[MissFabulous]

Thanks, HH. I was pretty sure it wouldn't be a straight swap, but this bike also looks like it has the stock carbs and airbox on it. Not sure how soon I'll be able to get out there with the compression tester, but the guy did say he was able to get it running. Owner is going to email me some better pics supposedly. He doesn't know anything about it since it was abandoned in the house they just bought.

If nothing else, I could probably make some nice cash on parting it out and make a lot of other GSRs happy.

[MissFabulous]

Hmmm... owner says it's a 79 but it has wire wheels, not mags and the side cover is plain black... I wonder if this is actually a 78 or Frankenyear... same difference if it's 78-79 vs. 1980??

Seat pan compatible with 1980?

[hampshirehog]

I think your years differed a little bit to ours over here (may be by a few months and with subtle diiferences in the bikes once launched). Certainly sounds as if it's a '78 with wire wheels (could have sat in a dealers for a year). There were no engine changes as far as I know in between '78 and '79.

If it's wire wheels I'd snap it up and rebuild those hubs with alloy rims - a decent weight saving and IMHO they look miles better than the mag wheels. A must have if you're after a cafe racer style I think. Single disc up front mind and you might find the braking a tad (!) less effective.

We had a seat design change here at some point, but I think that came later in '81 or '82. Tank sat a smidgen higher with a different rear fixing as well if I remember correctly - though should fit - just a bit tighter for space.

Wally

[TheCafeKid]

Hmmm... owner says it's a 79 but it has wire wheels, not mags and the side cover is plain black... I wonder if this is actually a 78 or Frankenyear... same difference if it's 78-79 vs. 1980??

Seat pan compatible with 1980?

Are you going to look at it or did you already?? He may have bought it in 79 and its a 78? Maybe its an imported bike? yeah yeah i know they're ALL imported :P but i mean maybe it came over from Canada?? dunno just thoughts

[Nessism]

As mentioned already, the engine changed for the 1980 model year when the kick starter was eliminated, CD ignition was adopted, and the head was modified to accept the larger CV carbs. The engine internals didn’t change at all as far as I know.