My 550 has 650 engine.. how do i tell the year?

[TheBigRed]

they made a 650 Katana? or are you just calling it that?

somed00d, what is the VIN on the frame of your bike?

I have a feeling his bike is the one at the bottom of this page:

http://www.suzukicycles.org/GS-series/GS550E.shtml

That someone squeezed a 650E engine into the frame.

So the previous owner (or one of them) "made" a 650 chain driven Katana out of a 550 Katana.

However there was a 650 Shaft Katana as seen here:

http://www.suzukicycles.org/GS-series/GS650G_brochures.shtml

So there you have it.

Amos

[Anonymous]

650 kat?

they made a 650 Katana? or are you just calling it that?

somed00d, what is the VIN on the frame of your bike?

The bike is for sure without a question a 1982 GS550MZ Katana.. I just started rebuilding the carbs and noticed that the engine is a 650.

The exact bike is pictured at the bottom of this page:
http://www.suzukicycles.org/GS-series/GS550E.shtml (thanks for the link amos) Except it has a front fairing..

[Anonymous]

So, does it have 650 carbs on it or 550 carbs?

[AOD]

that 650 Katana looks like a cool bike, for a shafty.

16 HP over the 550, nice compression ratio, too bad it's only a 5 speed, so it'll be a lil slower.

[TheBigRed]

that 650 Katana looks like a cool bike, for a shafty.

16 HP over the 550, nice compression ratio, too bad it's only a 5 speed, so it'll be a lil slower.

Dont believe that for a second.

I've had a 550 and a 650, the 650's deffinately faster.

The difference in the ammount of gears has nothing to do with top speed (necesarilly that is) it is possable that the 550's gears are just a bit closer, and probably more forgiving at the lower end as to make it easier for new riders to ride.

I'll look up the gear ratios tonight on my 550 and the 650 and get back with you on that more specifically.

Amos

[Anonymous]

Re: more info

Ok, the crankcase says GS650, the juggs say 673. The gearbox cover shows 6 gears but that may have been changed.. The bike is not running at the moment so its hard for me to count the gears. However the mufflers say 550 on them I am going to tear down the carbs and check the jets hopefully its jetted for 650

I guess the best question is how many years did they make 650 chain drives?

The GS550EM Katana was produced in 81/82/93 (GS550EMX/Z/D).
Frame numbers started with GS550EM.

The GS650G Katana was a shaft driven bike. Actually all 650's were "G" types (shaft driven), except for the chain driven GS650E.
It was produced in 81, 82 and 83. Frame numbers started with GS650.

[TheBigRed]

Re: more info

The GS550EM Katana was produced in 81/82/93 (GS550EMX/Z/D).
Frame numbers started with GS550EM.

The GS650G Katana was a shaft driven bike. Actually all 650's were "G" types (shaft driven), except for the chain driven GS650E.
It was produced in 81, 82 and 83. Frame numbers started with GS650.

Correct, however the GS650E was only available here in the states for the 81 and 82 years. We didn't get it in 83.

Also there was the GR650 which was a 2 cylinder 650 chain drive bike.

Amos

[Anonymous]

So, does it have 650 carbs on it or 550 carbs?

It looks to me like the 550 and 650 both use 32mm mukuni cv carbs. I am in the process of figuring out if its jetted for 550 or 650. I will put the correct jets in if they are not already.

[TheBigRed]

So, does it have 650 carbs on it or 550 carbs?

It looks to me like the 550 and 650 both use 32mm mukuni cv carbs. I am in the process of figuring out if its jetted for 550 or 650. I will put the correct jets in if they are not already.

Oh, just realized..

The side cases on the engine, are they held on by phillips screws, or bolts?

I know that in 81 the 550's used screws, but changed to bolts in 82. I would immagine that the 650's were the same.

And here in the states the 650 chain has to be one of those two years.

Amos

[Anonymous]

TheBigRed

TheBigRed thanks for your wisdom. I am almost certain it is an 82. The side cover is held on with bolts. It seems as if my mystery is solved. now if i can only get it to run good.

[TheBigRed]

Re: TheBigRed

TheBigRed thanks for your wisdom. I am almost certain it is an 82. The side cover is held on with bolts. It seems as if my mystery is solved. now if i can only get it to run good.

Good deal. Hopefully the person that squeezed that engine in there was smart enough to pu on the 650 carbs with their jetting as well. And you just need to clean them well.

Amos

[katanamann550]

Gs550m(x)'81, (z)'82, (d)'83

The GS550EM Katana was produced in 81/82/93 (GS550EMX/Z/D).
Frame numbers started with GS550EM.

The GS650G Katana was a shaft driven bike. Actually all 650's were "G" types (shaft driven), except for the chain driven GS650E.
It was produced in 81, 82 and 83. Frame numbers started with GS650.

"Frame numbers started with GS550EM"?
The only year these bikes were shipped over here was 1982, which they were given the "z" designation which corresponds to the year of the bike. You have that part right but, there is no "E" in respect to this model specifically labelled on this frame. No where on the frame sticker does it say "GS550EM(z)" all it says on mine is "GS550Mz" My S/N Starts with "JS1GN73AX&^%$#" felt like I had to make that clear. Not try to undermind anyone or hijack this thread...I just done my homework on my bike. Cheers