a few questions about the Suzuki GS550 E and 550 L

[motoarch]

I have not contributed to this forum yet and I hate to have my first post be asking for help but here gos.

Im looking to build my first cafe and found a good deal on a 1979 GS 550 L. I would perfer to start with an E model but if there arent any major diffrences in the frame would the L model be ok to build on. Forks and shocks are easy enough to swap out my main focus is the frame geometery. I can do some cutting and welding but I dont want to have to modify the frame dramticly when I could start with one thats more or less what I want to start with.

So basicly is there any significant diffrence I should know between these models.

Thanks

 

[Erch]

You could always try asking around at: http://www.thegsresources.com/

 

[motoarch]

thank you

 

[Big R]

For future reference, if you look at both parts diagrams on bikebandit.com, you can see both frames by themselves.

 

[crazypj]

Biggest issue would be 16" rear wheel on L

 

[tWistedWheelz]

Frames are the exact same! And I could be wrong here, but I believe the forks are too! I know the rear shocks are different, the sidecover (trash anyway) are different, and the wheel sizes! Thats the biggie too, as the E models came with 18" front and rear, the L's came with staggered that had a 16" rear and a 19" front and some with a 17" rear and 19" front. Tanks were different and the seat, other than all that...they are damn near the same bike!

Now having said all that...I am building a GS425E that someone (dumbass) had started converting to an L, and I cannot find a good matching 18" front wheel.....very hard to come by and pricey when you do! I am sticking with the 19" front now, but I concider myself lucky as I still have the 18" rear....the dumbass must have never gotten around to that end! Anyway...my $.02 is to hold out and get a good starter bike that works easily for the style you want to build....especially if this is your first build. If you have plenty of fab skills, experience with building bikes, a firm understanding of suspension theory, and the tools to put it all together....welll then it does not matter what you start with really!

 

[crazypj]

http://www.suzukicycles.org/All-Suzuki/all_suzuki_models.html