GS650G vs GS650L Engine

[Anonymous]

Hello, I have 1981 GS650G which will need an engine rebuilt, I don't have the stomach or the time right now to do this. I have a chance to pick up a 81 GS650L with a low mileage good engine and thought about a straight heart transplant. Are the two engines identical and interchangeable??? Thanks for any recommendations!

[Redman]

I may not be able to give you a complete answer, but I can tell you this:
I have (had actually) a Suzuki manaul that covered the '82 GS650G & GL both. The main section was for the G and there was a seperate section for what was different on the GL which did not include the engine at all.
So I would say the engine was perrty much the same, althought I dont know if that means every mounting ectera is the same or not.
Ah, isnt the GL engine cyclinders black? So that would be different.

[argonsagas]

The engines should be identical.

Both are shaft drives. The "L" is a cruiser model, so there are differences in seating and bars, but as concerns engine/drive train, I know of no differences.

[Redman]

okay, the cyclinders on the GL are not black (like I suggested above). But I remember that there was something different about the look of the engine between a G and a GL, its just the emblem on the stator cover that looks different different, which is very minor of course.
Again, the Suzuki manaul that covers both the G & GL (1982), has just one section to cover the engine of both (there are seperate sections for instruments, seat, taillight ectera that are different). Someone else with more practical experience is going to have to say if every mounting and every connector is the same.