Is it a 1978 GS550 or GS550E?

[crc1214]

I just purchase a 1978 GS550, and I was wondering if it is in fact the "E" model. All the resources I have checked would suggest so, but if it is previous owners have replaced and removed several things.

So here is the description....all you GS550 authorities try to figure it out!!!

First and most importantly- It has a rear disk brake.
However, it has a front disk brake but only one. Did the 1978 GS550E have an option of just one disk brake at the front? (or conversely did the GS550 have an option of single front and single back disk brakes)?

IT HAS ALLOY WHEELS.

The side panels say GS550 NOT GS550E (they look original, or at least damn good replacements).

The forks do not have capabilities of attaching another front caliper, so I'm thinking maybe a previous owner replaced the forks (if it is a GS550E) with forks from a GS550, and removed the caliper and disk. I looked at where the hose from the front master cylinder attaches along with the hose going to the front caliper, and it looks like there is no room for another hose going to another front caliper, so I'm thinking maybe this entire front end was replaced as well.

It's in good condition, and I want to ride it around for a couple of years, but after that I plan to restore it to original condition. I'm just trying to find out if it's a GS550 or 550E so I can start looking for parts.

Thanks to all.

Chad, Columbus OH.

[focus frenzy]

E the regular 550 had wire wheels and a drum brake on the rear, they both only had one disc on the front.

[crc1214]

I just want to confirm....... are you saying that the GS550E for that year did infact only have one disk at the front??? All the resources I have checked insist that there were two. Please let me know if perhaps the double disk didn't come out until 1979, or whatever the case may be.

Thanks,
Chad Colmbus, OH

[Anonymous]

I could be wrong but I thought that the lighter than 600cc machines didn't have dual disc fronts until 1980.

[crc1214]

You are indeed correct!!! I checked some sites with brochures and magazine ads, and the ones advertized in North America showed the bike with only one front disk brake. Got to checking, and I guess these were "economy" models.

Anybody know if the GS550E for '78 is considered rare? From my understanding it was only made for 2 months, then the 79's came out.

[Anonymous]

I don't know if this changed from 78 to 79, but my '79 GS550 has wire wheels, single front disc, and a rear drum, but the plate says its a GS550E

[Hotblack]

My L (it's definitely an L) also has a plate that says it's an E on the steering head. I wonder what they were up to?

[Anonymous]

Check out this site

http://www.suzukicycles.org/

Goto FAQ and then to bike identification.

My GS550E olnly have one disk at front.

The have mag style wheels, Disk brake rear and slightly "custom" looking seat.[/list]

[Anonymous]

Sorry, dropped a few letters.

Check out this site

http://www.suzukicycles.org/

Goto FAQ and then to bike identification.

My GS550E olnly have one disk at front.

The E- model have mag style wheels, Disk brake rear and slightly "custom" looking seat.

[Anonymous]

Weird. Mine is a '79 (accroding to the title), but that page doesn't show a bike like mine - Both the GS550E and GS550L in '79 have mag wheels, and no other GS550s are listed...

The one that most closely matches mine is the '78 GS550

[Anonymous]

Mine is a 77gs550 with spokes and a single disk up front. No "E" on the title or the bike anywhere.

[Anonymous]

Check the identification map on this sites homepage.
The -78 550 models should end up with an C and the -79
models with an N.