You are moving fast with this project! Fitting a new seat cover is pretty easy. I have also made several seat covers myself, using a plain sewing machine.
These bikes by Suzuki are absolutely fantastic...The light nimble handling of a 500 or 550 and the engine performance of a 750. And no one knows about these bikes! Most people, even enthusiast are like Wow didn't know Suzuki ever built such a bike. What a sweet spot too...Again very light and nimble yet very powerful, I had no idea they could get into the high 12 seconds in the quarter mile. I also love the conservative styling. I just bought an 81 GS650E which is the cheaper version and chain drive, but what a great bike. After I rebuilt the carbs and put new tires on it, it's become my favorite bike to ride my daily rider. That is saying something because I have a 2021 V7 Moto Guzzi in the garage and an 81 GL1100 Goldwing as well.
I've had no experience with either bike but based on that lack of experience I would think the chain drive model would be the one to have, not that Jon's shafty isn't a sweet little bike itself. The common color seemed to be a silver gray, with blue pinstripes.
The sound! I forgot to mention the sound…You can tell the Suzuki was very aggressive going after the Big Three! They put a lot of thought into these bikes. The sound of that powerful inline 4 is truly amazing!
I really like the G model tail light piece and the seat grab handle over my E model…I do like my E model tail piece so much better than the rear lights from the past. Great videos Jon!!
I would have done the seat too lol. But that will tie it up nicely. I'm still watching the video. Wife called me on her way to work. Not much damage from hurricane. No damage at our house. 👍🏼
Suzuki did a lot of effort and was proud on the combustion chamber design, on the GS650G. I think they called it "twin dome". Hans Muth, formerly of BMW, did some of the design, especially on the GS650M Katana.
Certainly agree that adding preload to the front fork springs would help stabilize the bike under braking and acceleration. 12 psi of air pressure seems like a lot but if it works, ok! I don't know how you're able to synch the carbs so well. Your vacuum gauges seem to be too steady. I've used mercury in a tube, weights in a tube(factory carb synching system) and vacuum gauges but there always seems to be a bit of variance when the bike is idling. Maybe I'm not patient enough but I just chill and enjoy the moment when the engine is running smooth at idle and at speed. Always enjoy your videos!
I've had two shaft drive bikes, a '76 XS750 triple which was a pig for handling. The shaft drive would jack the back end up and down in the corners as I came on and off throttle, and that would change my line in the corner. The other bike was an '81 XJ650 Seca which was a sweet and nimble little bike that loved to dive deep into a corner, and was always laughing at me, and daring me to go faster and lean deeper in the corners. Where on this spectrum does this little shaft drive Suzuki fall?
@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 I suppose that by the beginning of the '80's they had shaft drive figured out, in terms of it's affect on the handling. Makes you wonder why they stopped using shafts in sporty bikes after that.
Few shafties can be as bad as the Honda VT500, which had a habit of skipping the back end around roundabouts, and when going round bends especially uphill on accelleration.
Why did you need to send the seat off to get it recovered? I renovated an old GT550 and replaced the old seat cover with a new one that I ordered back in 1983 and fitted it with the minimal of tools. Just time, and a little patience is all it takes, and saves you money.
Right on. I wanted the seat to look professional, I have not recovered one before, I didn't have the time, and I found a reputable shop that installed it quickly and for a reasonable price. Maybe next time! Cheers
It’s me again and I have another problem with the Suzi. After installing new points and condensers the two inner cylinders stopped firing, when I took the cover off I could see very little spark then none at all. Help, anyone?
Superb videos! Thank you. Your review of the GS650G persuaded me to buy one I'd seen advertised!😀
You're welcome, Chris! They are fun bikes. Cheers!
My first bike is a 1981, love the feel of the GS650G line.
Right on, Pete! They are nice machines. Cheers!
You are moving fast with this project! Fitting a new seat cover is pretty easy. I have also made several seat covers myself, using a plain sewing machine.
Nice! I should pick up that skill at some point.
These bikes by Suzuki are absolutely fantastic...The light nimble handling of a 500 or 550 and the engine performance of a 750. And no one knows about these bikes! Most people, even enthusiast are like Wow didn't know Suzuki ever built such a bike. What a sweet spot too...Again very light and nimble yet very powerful, I had no idea they could get into the high 12 seconds in the quarter mile. I also love the conservative styling. I just bought an 81 GS650E which is the cheaper version and chain drive, but what a great bike. After I rebuilt the carbs and put new tires on it, it's become my favorite bike to ride my daily rider. That is saying something because I have a 2021 V7 Moto Guzzi in the garage and an 81 GL1100 Goldwing as well.
Right on! Until I saw one for sale last year, I had no idea they existed. I've seen lots of the GS650L models, but not the GS650G or GS650E. Cheers!
I've had no experience with either bike but based on that lack of experience I would think the chain drive model would be the one to have, not that Jon's shafty isn't a sweet little bike itself. The common color seemed to be a silver gray, with blue pinstripes.
The sound! I forgot to mention the sound…You can tell the Suzuki was very aggressive going after the Big Three! They put a lot of thought into these bikes. The sound of that powerful inline 4 is truly amazing!
Very true!
@@peterwilson8039 It depends on what you want. The Suzuki shaft drive is desirable to me.
Very clean, enjoyed the video Jon and RIDE SAFE OUT THERE!
Thanks Henry!
I really like the G model tail light piece and the seat grab handle over my E model…I do like my E model tail piece so much better than the rear lights from the past. Great videos Jon!!
Right on, thanks!
Beautiful bike 😮
Thanks! Suzuki did a great job with the styling.
Bike looks great! Looks new! Great job Jon. I don't remember that particular model. But I like it.
Thanks, Vince! I wasn't aware of this model either until I saw one for sale last year. I should be getting the seat back this week. Cheers!
I would have done the seat too lol. But that will tie it up nicely. I'm still watching the video. Wife called me on her way to work. Not much damage from hurricane. No damage at our house. 👍🏼
@@1vincej1 That's great to hear! The seat is getting covered currently.
Suzuki did a lot of effort and was proud on the combustion chamber design, on the GS650G. I think they called it "twin dome". Hans Muth, formerly of BMW, did some of the design, especially on the GS650M Katana.
I can see that. At one point I owned a SZ1000 Katana myself.
A Yamaha Radian vs Suzuki GS 650 comparo would be quite exciting .
If you know anyone local with a nice Radian I could test, please let me know!
Pls, always include at least a short ride in videos... 😊
*ur always leaving us wanting more
Right on! The ride review is coming soon!
Certainly agree that adding preload to the front fork springs would help stabilize the bike under braking and acceleration. 12 psi of air pressure seems like a lot but if it works, ok! I don't know how you're able to synch the carbs so well. Your vacuum gauges seem to be too steady. I've used mercury in a tube, weights in a tube(factory carb synching system) and vacuum gauges but there always seems to be a bit of variance when the bike is idling. Maybe I'm not patient enough but I just chill and enjoy the moment when the engine is running smooth at idle and at speed. Always enjoy your videos!
I'm patient & precise when working on the bikes, including when I synchronize the carbs. I guess it's the engineer in me🤓.
Hopefully you did up those pinch bolts on the upper triple !!
Yes, I did. Cheers!
I've had two shaft drive bikes, a '76 XS750 triple which was a pig for handling. The shaft drive would jack the back end up and down in the corners as I came on and off throttle, and that would change my line in the corner. The other bike was an '81 XJ650 Seca which was a sweet and nimble little bike that loved to dive deep into a corner, and was always laughing at me, and daring me to go faster and lean deeper in the corners. Where on this spectrum does this little shaft drive Suzuki fall?
Very much toward the Seca end of the spectrum.
@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 I suppose that by the beginning of the '80's they had shaft drive figured out, in terms of it's affect on the handling. Makes you wonder why they stopped using shafts in sporty bikes after that.
@@peterwilson8039Weight. Chain drive is much lighter than shaft drive. The advent of good O-ring chains reduced the maintenance and there we go.
@@peterwilson8039 It does. I miss the shaft-drive mid-range bikes.
Few shafties can be as bad as the Honda VT500, which had a habit of skipping the back end around roundabouts, and when going round bends especially uphill on accelleration.
Why did you need to send the seat off to get it recovered? I renovated an old GT550 and
replaced the old seat cover with a new one that I ordered back in 1983 and fitted it with
the minimal of tools. Just time, and a little patience is all it takes, and saves you money.
Right on. I wanted the seat to look professional, I have not recovered one before, I didn't have the time, and I found a reputable shop that installed it quickly and for a reasonable price. Maybe next time! Cheers
It’s me again and I have another problem with the Suzi. After installing new points and condensers the two inner cylinders stopped firing, when I took the cover off I could see very little spark then none at all. Help, anyone?
Did you set your gap and timing?