Suzuki · Suzuki GS air-cooled four (GS400-GS1100 1976-1988)

GS850G / GS1000G / GS1100G (shaft)

Library entry covers 1979-1986

22 factory 40 guideline

Published source

Suzuki GS1100G Service Manual, Periodic Maintenance Schedule, section 2-1 (PDF p.17)

Factory workshop manual. Covers 1982 GS1100GZ (US/EPA chart).

Open the source

62 items for a 1979 model, grouped by interval the way a factory chart is laid out.

How this bike is built (what the schedule is based on)

Engine cycle: Four-stroke
Engine lubrication: Wet sump (oil in crankcase)
Oil filtration: Replaceable cartridge or spin-on filter
Valve gear: Overhead cam, shim adjusted (incl. desmo)
Ignition: Electronic (CDI / transistor / ECU)
Charging: Alternator / stator with rectifier
Battery: Wet cell (flooded lead-acid, needs topping up)
Fuel system: Two or more carburetors
Cooling: Air / oil cooled
Primary drive: Gear or chain inside engine, shares engine oil
Gearbox oil: Shares engine oil
Clutch control: Hand lever, cable
Final drive: Shaft
Front suspension: Telescopic fork
Rear suspension: Swingarm, twin shocks
Front brake: Disc, hydraulic
Rear brake: Disc, hydraulic
Wheels: Cast / alloy, tubeless
Sidecar: No sidecar

Maintenance schedule

1979 Suzuki GS850G / GS1000G / GS1100G (shaft)

On the road: every 200 mi

1 item

Check engine oil level

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Each fuel stop on old machines. Dry sump: check the tank hot, engine idling or just stopped, per your manual.

On the road: every 300 mi

2 items

Check lights, horn, brake light switches

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline
Check tire pressures

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

On the road: every 500 mi

1 item

Walk-around: check nuts and bolts for vibration loosening

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Old machines shake things loose: exhaust nuts, mudguard stays, footrests, tank mounts, battery strap.

On the road: every 1,000 mi

1 item

Check road kit: plugs, points file, master link, tube patches, wire, tape

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Every 2,000 mi or 12 months

2 items

Grease swingarm pivot

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Lubricate control cables and lever pivots

Controls and cables

Guideline

Every 3,000 mi or 12 months

9 items

Check engine mounting bolts and plates

Engine

Guideline
Check throttle cable(s) free play and return

Fuel and air

Guideline
Clean fuel tap filter / sediment bowl

Fuel and air

Guideline
Synchronize carburetors

Fuel and air

Guideline
Adjust clutch pushrod / clutch adjuster

Primary and gearbox

Guideline
Check steering damper (friction or hydraulic)

Front end

Guideline
Check footrests, pegs, rear brake and gear lever pivots

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Grease and check center / side stand and springs

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Check wheel bearings for play

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Every 3,728 mi or 12 months

15 items

Change engine oil

Engine

Factory

Manual: Engine oil and oil filter: replace. Factory: R at 4000/7500/11000/15000 mi columns; first at 600 mi. p.17
Chassis bolts and nuts: tighten

Engine

Factory

Factory: T at every column, first at 600 mi. p.17
Check and adjust valve clearances

Engine

Factory

Manual: Tappet clearances: inspect. Factory: I at every column, first at 600 mi. p.17
Check cylinder head bolt torque

Engine

Factory

Manual: Cylinder head nuts & exhaust pipe bolts: tighten. Factory: T at every column, first at 600 mi. p.17
Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs

Engine

Factory

Manual: Spark plugs: clean. Factory: C at 4000 and 11000 mi, R at 7500 and 15000 mi. p.17
Replace oil filter

Engine

Factory

Manual: Engine oil and oil filter: replace. Factory: replaced with the oil. p.17
Carburetor idle rpm: inspect

Fuel and air

Factory

Factory: I at every column, first at 600 mi. p.17
Clean / inspect air filter

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Air cleaner element: clean. Factory: C at every column from 4000 mi. p.17
Fuel line: inspect

Fuel and air

Factory

Factory: I at every column, first at 600 mi. p.17
Check battery electrolyte, top up with distilled water

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Manual: Battery (specific gravity of electrolyte): inspect. Factory: I at 4000/7500/11000/15000 mi columns. p.17
Adjust clutch free play, lubricate cable and lever pivot

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Clutch: inspect. Factory: I at every column, first at 600 mi. p.17
Check steering head bearing adjustment

Front end

Factory

Manual: Steering stem: inspect. Factory: I at every column, first at 600 mi. p.17
Brake hoses: inspect

Brakes

Factory

Factory: I at every column, first at 600 mi. p.17
Check brake pads and discs

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Brakes: inspect. Factory: I at every column, first at 600 mi. p.17
Inspect tire tread, sidewalls and date codes

Wheels and tires

Factory

Manual: Tires: inspect. Factory: I at every column, first at 600 mi. p.17

Every 6,000 mi or 12 months

6 items

Clean carburetor float bowl(s), check float level and jets

Fuel and air

Guideline

Ethanol fuel varnishes old carbs quickly in storage.
Check charging voltage and regulator / cut-out

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Check final drive for leaks and bearing play

Final drive

Guideline
Check swingarm bushes for play

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Inspect rear shocks for leaks and damping

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Lubricate speedometer / tachometer cables, check drive

Controls and cables

Guideline

A dry speedo cable whips the needle and eventually kills the instrument.

Every 6,000 mi or 2 years

2 items

Check engine breather and oil return

Engine

Guideline
Check valve clearances (shim adjusted)

Engine

Guideline

Every 7,456 mi or 2 years

2 items

Replace spark plugs

Engine

Factory

Manual: Spark plugs: replace. Factory: R at 7500 and 15000 mi (12000/24000 km). p.17
Inspect fork seals, stanchions and fork boots

Front end

Factory

Manual: Front fork: inspect. Factory: I at 7500 and 15000 mi columns only. p.17

Every 7,500 mi

1 item

Change final drive (rear drive) oil

Final drive

Factory

Manual: Secondary and final gear oil: change. Factory: initial 600 mi (1000 km), thereafter every 7500 mi (12000 km). p.17

Every 10,000 mi or 2 years

2 items

Compression test (or leak-down)

Engine

Guideline
Change fork oil

Front end

Guideline

Some early telescopic forks are grease filled or use very small oil quantities. Check your manual.

Every 12,000 mi or 2 years

1 item

Replace air filter element

Fuel and air

Guideline

Every 15,000 mi or 5 years

1 item

Inspect clutch plates and springs

Primary and gearbox

Guideline

Every 20,000 mi or 4 years

3 items

Lubricate drive shaft splines / check U-joint

Final drive

Guideline
Repack / replace steering head bearings

Front end

Guideline

Many old machines use loose balls in cups and cones. Taper roller conversions are common.
Repack / replace wheel bearings

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Cup-and-cone and taper roller hubs need periodic repacking and adjustment.

Every 25,000 mi or 6 years

1 item

Replace swingarm bushes / bearings

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 30,000 mi or 6 years

1 item

Rebuild forks: seals, bushes, springs

Front end

Guideline

Every 6 months

2 items

Clean battery terminals, check charge and strap

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Front fork: check air pressure

Front end

Factory

Factory: check air pressure every 6 months. p.17

Every 12 months

1 item

Check speedometer / odometer against a known distance

Controls and cables

Guideline

Old speedos drift with tire size and drive wear. Use phone GPS over a measured 10 miles / km.

Every 2 years

4 items

Inspect fuel tank for rust, sealer failure, leaks

Fuel and air

Guideline
Inspect wiring, bullet connectors and ground points

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Inspect frame, welds and lugs for cracks

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Replace brake fluid

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Brake fluid: change. Factory: change every two years. p.17

Every 4 years

3 items

Replace fuel lines

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Fuel line: replace. Factory: replace every four years. p.17
Inspect brake hoses; replace old rubber

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Brake hoses: replace. Factory: replace every four years. p.17
Rebuild calipers and master cylinders (seals)

Brakes

Guideline

Every 6 years

1 item

Replace tires on age (regardless of tread)

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Guideline lines: Intervals here are general guidelines for the machine's era and layout, compiled for this app. They are not factory manual figures. Check your workshop manual, and edit any interval in the bike's Schedule tab.