hub spline blues

[twr1776]

Grandpa Quote:For certain, the black spline set came stock on the 1979 GS850G, the first shaft-driven Suzuki. Same unit came on the 1980 GS850G and GS1000G.
Brian Wringer says that some 1981 GS850G's and GS1000G's came with the gold-colored splines. Not sure what the breaking point is on the bikes' serial numbers.
For certain, the 1982 GS850G had the bad splines. I know from personal experience, as my first GS bike was an 82 850G.

Brian and I have discussed this a few times and I think Granpa and Cliff are correct that the cut off point was sometime in 81 for the gold splines. All the new OEM replacement splines are a superceded number and a silver color and are also good per Brian. The older black ones are the best, the silver ones are very good, and the gold ones are the weakest splines of the three. I just pulled my 82 splines with 17 K and they are in excellent condition. I think the gold are not as good as the others but most of the splines go bad because of poor or infrequent lubrication. I also do not do burnouts or wheelies which will burn up splines no matter what color. Brian will correct me if I am wrong but I am pretty sure that is what he said.

[ny_redneck04]

Thank you all for your quick responses and i will continue searching.

Pat

[Nessism]

I assume these are gold type - bike was a 1981 GS1000GL.

[lurch12_2000]

Thank you all for your quick responses and i will continue searching.

Pat

Just a word of advice. See if you can get a closeup pic of the spline if it's a used item! I posted a closeup pic of the spline I sold, so there was no confusion on what color of the metal or condition of the teeth. No sense in bidding $50 on potential junk. If you buy the whole wheel I can personally say that the '80 G and earlier will be good quality metal and the teeth are probably good as new. Maybe someone on the forum who might be local can check out an e-bay item for any interested parties here. I hate to see anyone get stuck with just a spare rear rim and a worthless spline.

[Planecrazy]

I assume these are gold type - bike was a 1981 GS1000GL.

Not so sure about that, Ed ... could be that this is an "already replaced" newer spline on the '81, because that sure DOESN'T look like the gold tinged spline that failed on my '83 1100G, and if it were the charcoal/black one you'd know for sure it was a good one.

If I had to guess I'd say that is NOT one of the bad ones, but even if it is you've still got a lot of miles worth of reliable riding with proper lubrication there ... that is unless the scoring I see on the edges is actually wear all the way along each spline - hard to tell from the pics.

Regards,

[ny_redneck04]

thanks all

thanks everyone for there helpful insight.i will be purchasing a a hub from a a great member of this site.unfortunately it wont be till a week from now but atleast i found one well it found me.now i cant wait to get it so i can get ready to ride.again thanks for all your help..
Patrick