'81 GS550L - what valve cover gasket?

[jwegman]

I'm shopping for replacement valve cover gasket, and in looking at BikeBandit's parts fiche, I see two different "Cylinder Head Cover" fiches - each has a different part number for the valve cover gasket (with a $10 price difference):

One is $18: 475983-001

http://www.bikebandit.com/1981-suzuki-motorcycle-gs550lx-cylinder-head-cover-e-no-234046/o/m6085sch257031

The other is $29: 475984-001

http://www.bikebandit.com/1981-suzuki-motorcycle-gs550lx-cylinder-head-cover-e-no-234047/o/m6085sch257033

I'm presuming that these are for the different valve cover bolt patterns? I've verified that my engine uses the (older?) 16 bolt hole cover however neither of those part fiches mentions a 16 or 17 bolt hole cover...

Regards,
Jake

[Nessism]

I'm pretty sure you need that $18 one. BB doesn't use Suzuki part numbers so checking using other fishe is sometimes a pain. For example, Alpha-Sports uses Suzuki part numbers and only shows one part number and it costs $21 so it's definitely not that $29 part.
Also, I'm not aware of any changes to the cover for the 8V 550 engine.

[tejasmud]

The first link doesn't have the bolt #4 next to the tach gear.

The second link does.

Difference in 16 v. 17 bolt patterns, I assume.

[jwegman]

The first link doesn't have the bolt #4 next to the tach gear.

The second link does.

Difference in 16 v. 17 bolt patterns, I assume.

Ahh yes, there we go. Thanks for pointing that out. The first one (as Nessism suggested) is the correct one for me.

Thanks a bunch fellas - the gaskets are now on their way.

[Steve]

I had to put the two pictures next to each other and flip back and forth several times, but I found another difference.

Look at the blue band at the top of the picture. One of them is for engine numbers up to 234046, the other is for 234047 and up.

.

[jwegman]

I had to put the two pictures next to each other and flip back and forth several times, but I found another difference.

Look at the blue band at the top of the picture. One of them is for engine numbers up to 234046, the other is for 234047 and up.

.

Gotcha, my engine number is 216003.

[79FiveFifty]

thanks for reminding me, i just ordered everything i needed including the tappet feeler gauges, and specialty tools @ Z1.

Make sure you replace those half moons! (Number 16 in the cylinder head diagram i think)

[waterman]

I had to put the two pictures next to each other and flip back and forth several times, but I found another difference.

Look at the blue band at the top of the picture. One of them is for engine numbers up to 234046, the other is for 234047 and up.

.

There is more than just the extra bolt that differs, the placement of two other bolts are also different. I had tried to fit a later gasket onto the earlier head that was missing the extra bolt and quickly realized this wouldn't work.

This is the same difference found in the 81 to 82 650 valve cover gaskets. Same difference, is that an oxymoron?