GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: tialloydragon on December 13, 2009, 11:45:37 AM

Title: GS500 Engine Year Model Number
Post by: tialloydragon on December 13, 2009, 11:45:37 AM
Hi.  I just put a deposit down on a GS500 the seller built from the frame up. It's in great shape, runs like a champ, and is going to be delivered to me by the seller this coming thursday. I will be waiting for it with great anticipation, as it is my first motorcycle.

The frame is a 1990, but the engine is from another GS500 of an undetermined year. Consequently the VIN number on the frame is not going to reveal the year of the motorcycle.

I wanted to find out if there is an available resource link, or someone who knows what year GS500 coincides with an engine number of M501-139xx; or can, at the very least, give me a ballaprk number?

Thanks all in advance.

Andrew

::Edit:: Motorcycle was delivered last Thursday.  Apparently I left out the remaining portion of the engine number.  Perhaps with the rest of the engine number, someone may be able to shed some more insight on its year of origin.

The engine number on my GS500 is M501-139403-2600.

Thanks again in advance.
Title: Re: GS500 Engine Year Model Number
Post by: ineedanap on December 13, 2009, 03:42:34 PM
All I know is...

M means 400-499cc.  We're actually 487.

5 means parallel twin

the next two numbers sometimes mean what year of that model (example...05 would be fifth year of gs or 1994) manufactured, but on alot of suzukis 01 is just a number they throw on there that doesn't mean anything.  I'm pretty sure on the GS, most say 01.  

There's lots of super knowledgable people on here.  Hopefully someone can help you with the rest.  If not, there are some really subtle differences between years that you'd be able to see.  

Oh, and welcome to GStwin and congratulations on your first post.
Title: Re: GS500 Engine Year Model Number
Post by: tialloydragon on December 20, 2009, 07:59:56 PM
::bump::
Title: Re: GS500 Engine Year Model Number
Post by: jeremy_nash on December 21, 2009, 05:58:06 AM
the vin number on the frame dictates the year of the motorcycle, not the engine.  for example, my 89 has all the engine, etc from a 1995.  but since it is on a 1989 frame, it is a 1989 motorcycle
Title: Re: GS500 Engine Year Model Number
Post by: kml.krk on December 21, 2009, 09:20:42 AM
does the engine has oil cooler?
what color is the engine?

-oil cooler means 2004+
-black painted engine means (probably) 1989-1996, silver painted 1997-present  (this is based on observation and not any official info)

let us know what your findings are
Title: Re: GS500 Engine Year Model Number
Post by: werase643 on December 21, 2009, 03:46:40 PM
call the dealer
they have the info and can tell you what year it is