compatability question

[Sparkster]

Would a headlight bucket from a 1983 GS550 fit my 1980 GS850?

http://cgi.ebay.com/SUZUKI-GS550-GS-550-L-HEADLIGHT-1983_W0QQitemZ300190908073QQihZ020QQcategoryZ35598QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

Rusty as all heck but the cheapest I've found so far.
Thanks in advance.

[Steve]

Is your 850 and L model? If so, it will fit. If not, it won't.

The standard 850 uses a 7" headlight, the L uses a 6". Your auction says it's a 6" light.

Have you considered headlights from other brands?

Virago headlight

CB750 Custom headlight

Kaw 750 headlight

Some say they are sealed beam other don't mention what they are, so look carefully if you are trying to get an H4 light.


.

[bwringer]

Geez, just buy a new one:

http://crc2onlinecatalog.com/head_and_tail.htm

$60 and you don't have to put rusty dented crumbly crap on your bike.

[emjay]

... rusty dented crumbly crap ...

Sounds like you're talking about my bike!

[Sparkster]

Is your 850 and L model? If so, it will fit. If not, it won't.

The standard 850 uses a 7" headlight, the L uses a 6". Your auction says it's a 6" light.

Have you considered headlights from other brands?

Virago headlight

CB750 Custom headlight

Kaw 750 headlight

Some say they are sealed beam other don't mention what they are, so look carefully if you are trying to get an H4 light.


.

Actually I don't really have a clue what all brands or types of buckets will fit my bike. I don't care if it's not original so really whichever is cheapest is what I want. I like that CB750 pricetag. As for the light can't I get a sealed beam light from auto zone once I get a bucket for it?

[Redman]

This is one item where if you are talking about 850, you need to specify if 850G or 850L (as stated by others).

About the headlight, between the G and L, the difference is between smaller or larger. If seller doesnt state the size can also tell by this: The Gs have the black plastic shell (and larger) and the Ls have the chrome shell (and smaller). And the mounting brackets that go on the forks are different also.

I could aslo make stament about the bigger-plastic and the smaller-chrome, but that could start another G verses L debate. har har har

.

[Sparkster]

This is one item where if you are talking about 850, you need to specify if 850G or 850L (as stated by others).

About the headlight, between the G and L, the difference is between smaller or larger. If seller doesnt state the size can also tell by this: The Gs have the black plastic shell (and larger) and the Ls have the chrome shell (and smaller). And the mounting brackets that go on the forks are different also.

I could aslo make stament about the bigger-plastic and the smaller-chrome, but that could start another G verses L debate. har har har

.

It's an 850G.

[Steve]

As for the light can't I get a sealed beam light from auto zone once I get a bucket for it?

IF you have a complete headlight shell, and it's a 7" shell, yes, you can get a sealed beam from Auto Zone.

The trick is the complete headlight shell. Besides the rear 'bucket', there is a chrome ring at the front that will hold the headlight in place. If you do a search on eBay for "headlight bucket", you will likely only get the rear bucket and will have to do another search for "headlight ring" or "complete motorcycle headlight", ... you get the picture. Bwringer made a good suggestion, why not just get a new one and know that it will fit?

One question that has been asked and not yet answered ... is your 850 an L model? If you have an L model, you will have to either look for 6" buckets (and a special light) or you will also have to change the mounting ears to hold a 7" bucket. If you are not sure whether you have an L or not, here are some things to check for: The L models have chrome fenders, front and rear, usually higher handlebars, stepped seat, shorter mufflers that end at the rear axle and a tail light that mounts to the chrom fender. The standard model 850 has plastic fenders with the front one painted, a flatter seat and handlebars, longer mufflers and a painted tail piece that extends from the back of the seat and ends at the tail light.


.

[Sparkster]

IF you have a complete headlight shell, and it's a 7" shell, yes, you can get a sealed beam from Auto Zone.

The trick is the complete headlight shell. Besides the rear 'bucket', there is a chrome ring at the front that will hold the headlight in place. If you do a search on eBay for "headlight bucket", you will likely only get the rear bucket and will have to do another search for "headlight ring" or "complete motorcycle headlight", ... you get the picture. Bwringer made a good suggestion, why not just get a new one and know that it will fit?

One question that has been asked and not yet answered ... is your 850 an L model? If you have an L model, you will have to either look for 6" buckets (and a special light) or you will also have to change the mounting ears to hold a 7" bucket. If you are not sure whether you have an L or not, here are some things to check for: The L models have chrome fenders, front and rear, usually higher handlebars, stepped seat, shorter mufflers that end at the rear axle and a tail light that mounts to the chrom fender. The standard model 850 has plastic fenders with the front one painted, a flatter seat and handlebars, longer mufflers and a painted tail piece that extends from the back of the seat and ends at the tail light.


.

Actually it looks like I was answering at the same time you were typing. The side cover simply says "GS850G". And I think I will go for a new assembly since it appears I can get one to fit that wasn't specifically made for my bike. I don't care too awful much what it will look like as long as it works and fits into a shoestring budget. I'm all about function over form so pretty isn't necessary.
Sorry if I didn't provide enough information, I had no idea there were various models within that line. If it helps, here's what it looks like (before the new handlebars and grips):

[8trackmind]

Hey Sparkster, are you getting rid of the Windjammer?

[bwringer]

I got rid of the crappy windjammer that some PO had bolted to my 850G, and I installed one of the chrome 7 inch headlights from CRC2:



I got the one that's called "Chrome Headlight Assembly Kawasaki 7", and the style with the 8mm threaded mounting holes for $64.95.

It's the second item on this page:

http://www.crc2onlinecatalog.com/head_and_tail.htm

I used the H4 headlight from the Vetter (it's a 7" headlight that takes an H4/9003 bulb in back), but CRC2 also sells headlights further down the page if you don't want to cannibalize your Vetter. You could also use a 7" sealed beam, but the lighting pattern won't be right unless it's specifically for a motorcycle.

For the mounting, the stock hardware was gone, so I used a couple of stainless steel 8mm allen head bolts along with a 5/16" nylon washer and a 5/16" rubber washer on each side. I also used a stainless steel 8mm washer between the bolt head and the mounting ears.

Hopefully, you should find the undamaged original headlight ears tucked away behind the fairing.

Hope this clarifies things!

[Sparkster]

Hey Sparkster, are you getting rid of the Windjammer?

Yeah I am, are you interested? A dealer reckoned it's worth $100 if in decent shape. The windshield is pretty clear and the paint is in good condition. There are some scratches on the edge and the key core is no good on the right locking compartment (the previous owner secured the door on with velcro). I'd part with it for $50 plus shipping. Local pickup near Lexington, OH would be OK also.

Hopefully, you should find the undamaged original headlight ears tucked away behind the fairing.

Alas the person who installed the fairing apparently took them off. Thanks for everyone's help.

[Sparkster]

Well I found a used assembly locally and got it for $20. This continues the bike's saga of getting great deals through a friend of a friend (as that's how I got the bike in the first place.)
I'm almost there now and I should be done tomorrow. Thanks again.

[TheCafeKid]

I got rid of the crappy windjammer that some PO had bolted to my 850G, and I installed one of the chrome 7 inch headlights from CRC2:



I got the one that's called "Chrome Headlight Assembly Kawasaki 7", and the style with the 8mm threaded mounting holes for $64.95.

It's the second item on this page:

http://www.crc2onlinecatalog.com/head_and_tail.htm

I used the H4 headlight from the Vetter (it's a 7" headlight that takes an H4/9003 bulb in back), but CRC2 also sells headlights further down the page if you don't want to cannibalize your Vetter. You could also use a 7" sealed beam, but the lighting pattern won't be right unless it's specifically for a motorcycle.

For the mounting, the stock hardware was gone, so I used a couple of stainless steel 8mm allen head bolts along with a 5/16" nylon washer and a 5/16" rubber washer on each side. I also used a stainless steel 8mm washer between the bolt head and the mounting ears.

Hopefully, you should find the undamaged original headlight ears tucked away behind the fairing.

Hope this clarifies things!

Hey Brian, did that headlight bucket you picked up from them give you room for all your wiring to tuck up in there? Ive been trying to get rid of the giant 8 incher (spoken for, for anyone who's ears perked up) and go to a 7 inch with a tri-bar blue dot H4 i picked up, but the lil 7 inch bucket i have (off an L model) leaves NO room for this. Any clues?

[bwringer]

Hey Brian, did that headlight bucket you picked up from them give you room for all your wiring to tuck up in there? Ive been trying to get rid of the giant 8 incher (spoken for, for anyone who's ears perked up) and go to a 7 inch with a tri-bar blue dot H4 i picked up, but the lil 7 inch bucket i have (off an L model) leaves NO room for this. Any clues?

Actually, there's quite a bit more room in my "Kawasaki-style" bucket than in the original plastic bucket. The back of the headlight is rounded, where the original was more "form fitting" around the back of the headlight.

I have no idea what kind of wizened, bony-fingered gnomes they employed at Suzuki's factory to stuff all that wiring into that tiny sliver of space. It's still fairly tough to get everything in there with the roomier Kawasaki headlight bucket, but it is possible, even with normal fingers.