Do other GS engines fit GS650GT (1984) frame

[Nasty MacPasty]

I have been given 1984 GS650GT with a broken engine, I was wondering if any other engine will fit the frame as I have read the 650 is prone to crank and crank bearing failure. Has anyone fitted a Kawasaki GT engine?

[Steve]

Welcome to the forum.

Some of your information does not agree. A GS650 GT would be a 1980 model.
The G after the 650 signifies a shaft drive, the T signifies a 1980.

As far as fitting a Kaw engine, probably not. The GS is a shaft-drive bike, the Kaw would be a chain-drive, so a LOT of modification would be necessary. Your best bet would be another GS650G engine, but you can also use the 650GL, as it had the same engine in the "low-rider" frame.

.

[Rein]

Welcome to the forum.

Some of your information does not agree. A GS650 GT would be a 1980 model.
The G after the 650 signifies a shaft drive, the T signifies a 1980.

As far as fitting a Kaw engine, probably not. The GS is a shaft-drive bike, the Kaw would be a chain-drive, so a LOT of modification would be necessary. Your best bet would be another GS650G engine, but you can also use the 650GL, as it had the same engine in the "low-rider" frame.

.

Well, there IS in fact, a GT model of the 650, like there is a GL. The T, I think, is the submodel/trim, not the year. At least, that's what it says on my clymer's manual (GS650GT 1981-1983) However, I don't think there is a 1984 model.

[Griffin]

Well, there IS in fact, a GT model of the 650, like there is a GL. The T, I think, is the submodel/trim, not the year. At least, that's what it says on my clymer's manual (GS650GT 1981-1983) However, I don't think there is a 1984 model.

Wrong.


A GT is a 1980, a GX is a 1981, a GZ is a 1982, and a GD is a 1983.

The GS650G and GS650GL were made in 1981, '82, and '83. Therefore, the only possible model designations are GS650GX (GLX), GS650GZ (GLZ), and GS650GD (GLD).

By the way, to answer the poster's original question, the GS650G engine is a unique one in that it is the only two valve per cylinder, four cylinder GS engine with plain bearings, not rollers. No other GS engine will bolt right in, and neither will a Kawasaki engine (or Honda or Yamaha for that matter).

Although it has plain bearings, it still seems like a pretty reliable engine, if taken care of. I wouldn't pass on a nice one because of reliability issues, real or imagined.


I would advise McPasty to either part out the bike, or if it is too nice to do that, find a complete GS650G shaft drive engine on ebay and swap engines.

[Rein]

Wrong.


A GT is a 1980, a GX is a 1981, a GZ is a 1982, and a GD is a 1983.

The GS650G and GS650GL were made in 1981, '82, and '83. Therefore, the only possible model designations are GS650GX (GLX), GS650GZ (GLZ), and GS650GD (GLD).

By the way, to answer the poster's original question, the GS650G engine is a unique one in that it is the only two valve per cylinder, four cylinder GS engine with plain bearings, not rollers. No other GS engine will bolt right in, and neither will a Kawasaki engine (or Honda or Yamaha for that matter).

Although it has plain bearings, it still seems like a pretty reliable engine, if taken care of. I wouldn't pass on a nice one because of reliability issues, real or imagined.


I would advise McPasty to either part out the bike, or if it is too nice to do that, find a complete GS650G shaft drive engine on ebay and swap engines.

http://www.thegsresources.com/gs_modelchart.htm

From our very own home page. there is a 650GT for the years 1981-1983. If I recall, the only shaftie before the 1981 model year was the 1000G, and the 850G. There was no 650 shaft drive until 1981.

[Griffin]

http://www.thegsresources.com/gs_modelchart.htm

From our very own home page. there is a 650GT for the years 1981-1983. If I recall, the only shaftie before the 1981 model year was the 1000G, and the 850G. There was no 650 shaft drive until 1981.

Yeah, that's what I posted.

Now then.

The Suzuki parts fiches (which will be as close ot the "official" resource for model designations that you can find) call the model number for 1982 the "GS650GZ". Not GTZ, but GZ.






For the 1983 model, it is designated "GS650GD". Not GTD, but GD.



Furthermore, there was no GS650 of any kind imported into the United States in 1984 or later.



I suspect that the GT designation was a for a different variation that may have been a European model with luggage, a fairing, or some other touring acoutrements. There was never a GS650GT model in the USA though.

So......If Nasty MacPasty is in Europe or Australia, he may very well have a 1984 GS650GT. Steve was referring to US designations, which I was as well. If Mr. MacPasty would chime in on where he is located, it may clear up the confusion.

[Steve]

I just did a Google search using "GS650GT" and came up with this link:

http://www.motorbikes.be/en/Suzuki_GS_650_GT_1983.aspx

There is another link on the search results that shows the same picture and calls it an '81, but this one calls it an '83, but has the old-style "star" wheels and does not have a black engine.

.

[Griffin]

I just did a Google search using "GS650GT" and came up with this link:

http://www.motorbikes.be/en/Suzuki_GS_650_GT_1983.aspx

There is another link on the search results that shows the same picture and calls it an '81, but this one calls it an '83, but has the old-style "star" wheels and does not have a black engine.

.

".be" is Belgium. It appears as I suspected, that GT is a European designation of some sort.

[Rein]

".be" is Belgium. It appears as I suspected, that GT is a European designation of some sort.

Then I was correct as well. there is in fact a 650 GT, in which the "T" designates a trim/submodel, not the year, just possible not in the US

[Suzuki_Don]

Just to add to the argument (I mean discussion) I have this manual in my possession.

[Rein]

Not trying to argue, just confused here!