Editing Suzuki GS450GA
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|photo=Suzuki-gs450a-82.jpg | |photo=Suzuki-gs450a-82.jpg | ||
|aka = | |aka = | ||
|manufacturer = Suzuki | |manufacturer = [[Suzuki]] | ||
|parent_company = | |parent_company = | ||
|production = 1982 | |production = 1982 | ||
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|predecessor = | |predecessor = | ||
|successor = | |successor = | ||
|class = Standard | |class =[[Standard]] | ||
|engine = Four stroke, parallel twin cylinder, DOHC, 2 valves per cylinder. | |engine = Four stroke, parallel twin cylinder, DOHC, 2 valves per cylinder. | ||
|bore_stroke = | |bore_stroke = | ||
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|fuel_system = | |fuel_system = | ||
|ignition = Transistorized | |ignition = Transistorized | ||
|spark_plug = {{sparkplug|NGK B8ES}} '82-83, '85-88 | |spark_plug = {{sparkplug|NGK B8ES}} '82-83, '85-88 | ||
|battery = {{battery|YUASA YB12B-B2}} '82-83, '85-88 | |battery = {{battery|YUASA YB12B-B2}} '82-83, '85-88 | ||
|transmission = 2-speed [[automatic transmission|semi-automatic transmission]] | |transmission = 2-speed [[automatic transmission|semi-automatic transmission]] | ||
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|wet_weight = | |wet_weight = | ||
|fuel_capacity = 12 Liters / 3.2 US gal / 2.6 Imp gal | |fuel_capacity = 12 Liters / 3.2 US gal / 2.6 Imp gal | ||
|oil_capacity = | |oil_capacity = | ||
|fuel_consumption = | |fuel_consumption = | ||
|turning_radius = | |turning_radius = | ||
|related = | |related = | ||
|competition = | |competition = | ||
}} | }} | ||
The '''Suzuki GS450GA''' was a [[automatic]] [[motorcycle]] produced by [[Suzuki]] from 1982 to 1988. | The '''Suzuki GS450GA''' was a [[automatic]] [[motorcycle]] produced by [[Suzuki]] from 1982 to 1988. | ||
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forgotten or never seen. Anyone with a good crystal ball knows better, of | forgotten or never seen. Anyone with a good crystal ball knows better, of | ||
course, but never mind. | course, but never mind. | ||
By now an automatic transmission on a motorcycle is not earthshaking. A | By now an automatic transmission on a motorcycle is not earthshaking. A | ||
novelty, perhaps, but not really new. It's been about six years since Moto Guzzi | novelty, perhaps, but not really new. It's been about six years since Moto Guzzi | ||
came out with the V-1000 Convert, followed by | came out with the V-1000 Convert, followed by Husqvarna's self-shifter, the | ||
Honda 750 Automatic and the Honda CM400 Automatic. Now you can add Suzuki to the | |||
list of automatic motorcycles, with the | list of automatic motorcycles, with the GS450A. | ||
Like the other automatic transmission motorcycles (except the Husqvarna), the | Like the other automatic transmission motorcycles (except the Husqvarna), the | ||
Suzuki doesn't have an automatic transmission. It has a hydraulic torque | Suzuki doesn't have an automatic transmission. It has a hydraulic torque | ||
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teardrop gas tank and even such old-fashioned things as chromed fenders. It's a | teardrop gas tank and even such old-fashioned things as chromed fenders. It's a | ||
nice looking motorcycle. | nice looking motorcycle. | ||
In concept it is easy enough to pull out a multiplate wet clutch on the | In concept it is easy enough to pull out a multiplate wet clutch on the | ||
normal 450 Suzuki and substitute a hydraulic torque converter. It's even easier | normal 450 Suzuki and substitute a hydraulic torque converter. It's even easier | ||
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abilities of any backyard mechanic. This is an entirely new motorcycle sharing | abilities of any backyard mechanic. This is an entirely new motorcycle sharing | ||
fewer parts with its kin than would be expected. | fewer parts with its kin than would be expected. | ||
What has remained from the standard GS450 are the power-producing parts of | |||
What has remained from the standard | |||
the engine: cylinders, head, crankshaft, and all the connecting bits like cam | the engine: cylinders, head, crankshaft, and all the connecting bits like cam | ||
chain, gear-driven counterbalancer and chain tensioner. Because of the shaft | chain, gear-driven counterbalancer and chain tensioner. Because of the shaft | ||
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percent more from 4000 to 7000 rpm. That's the range where the torque converter | percent more from 4000 to 7000 rpm. That's the range where the torque converter | ||
engages, and the new cam timing makes it very engaging. | engages, and the new cam timing makes it very engaging. | ||
Crankcases on the Automatic incorporate room for the gears transmitting power | Crankcases on the Automatic incorporate room for the gears transmitting power | ||
to the shaft drive. Within the cases are a number of oil system refinements that | to the shaft drive. Within the cases are a number of oil system refinements that | ||
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impeller blades so torque is transmitted from the pump impeller to the turbine | impeller blades so torque is transmitted from the pump impeller to the turbine | ||
runner hard enough to spin the turbine and move the motorcycle. | runner hard enough to spin the turbine and move the motorcycle. | ||
Until the engine is spinning near its torque peak, some of the oil scooped | Until the engine is spinning near its torque peak, some of the oil scooped | ||
through the stator and hitting the turbine gets conducted back through the | through the stator and hitting the turbine gets conducted back through the | ||
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of the torque converter equals the torque of the engine wouldn't spin | of the torque converter equals the torque of the engine wouldn't spin | ||
any. That's the stall speed. | any. That's the stall speed. | ||
Suzuki is expecting about a third of the Automatic owners will be women. | Suzuki is expecting about a third of the Automatic owners will be women. | ||
Beginning riders of all kinds will make up most of the Automatic owners, and | Beginning riders of all kinds will make up most of the Automatic owners, and | ||
having a low seat height is important for ease of control, especially at the low | having a low seat height is important for ease of control, especially at the low | ||
speeds involved in learning to ride. | speeds involved in learning to ride. | ||
Beyond that, the Automatic is an easy motorcycle to ride. It starts instantly | Beyond that, the Automatic is an easy motorcycle to ride. It starts instantly | ||
with the choke lever on the left handgrip turned on. Suzuki has had carburetion | with the choke lever on the left handgrip turned on. Suzuki has had carburetion | ||
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With the choke still on and the bike cold it can be nudged into gear and ridden | With the choke still on and the bike cold it can be nudged into gear and ridden | ||
away without concern. | away without concern. | ||
Of course starting is handled with a button and electric motor. There is no | Of course starting is handled with a button and electric motor. There is no | ||
kickstarter. Ordinarily motorcycles without kickstarters can be bump started | kickstarter. Ordinarily motorcycles without kickstarters can be bump started | ||
when the battery goes dead (when, not if), but the Automatic doesn't allow for | when the battery goes dead (when, not if), but the Automatic doesn't allow for | ||
bump starting. When the battery goes the bike doesn't go. | bump starting. When the battery goes the bike doesn't go. | ||
The rest of the time the Automatic is marvelously easy to ride. Fire it up, | The rest of the time the Automatic is marvelously easy to ride. Fire it up, | ||
click it in gear and twist the throttle. As simple as that, it moves. Twist the | click it in gear and twist the throttle. As simple as that, it moves. Twist the | ||
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where it runs out of steam. In high, it won't keep up with other motorcycles | where it runs out of steam. In high, it won't keep up with other motorcycles | ||
ridden hard. Faster acceleration calls for low range. | ridden hard. Faster acceleration calls for low range. | ||
Low range in the Suzuki is the surprise. Medium small motorcycles with | Low range in the Suzuki is the surprise. Medium small motorcycles with | ||
automatic transmissions have been slow, and they feel especially sluggish. Not | automatic transmissions have been slow, and they feel especially sluggish. Not | ||
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range is good up to 50 mph. It will keep on accelerating up to about 60 in low, | range is good up to 50 mph. It will keep on accelerating up to about 60 in low, | ||
but high range works better. | but high range works better. | ||
One of the few shortcomings of the bike occurs when it is shifted from low to | One of the few shortcomings of the bike occurs when it is shifted from low to | ||
high range under hard acceleration. Remember that the torque converter is still | high range under hard acceleration. Remember that the torque converter is still | ||
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upshifts are noisy and require effort. Shift at 20 or 30 mph and it's relatively | upshifts are noisy and require effort. Shift at 20 or 30 mph and it's relatively | ||
quiet and easy, but motorcycle-like acceleration is missing. | quiet and easy, but motorcycle-like acceleration is missing. | ||
Another shortcoming of the bike is easier to fix. When Suzuki substituted the | Another shortcoming of the bike is easier to fix. When Suzuki substituted the | ||
torque converter for the clutch, the clutch lever remained. Only it's now | torque converter for the clutch, the clutch lever remained. Only it's now | ||
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a sore hand for the next week. The level can be removed easily, but it would b< | a sore hand for the next week. The level can be removed easily, but it would b< | ||
better if Suzuki mounted the parking brake lever somewhere else. It could b( on | better if Suzuki mounted the parking brake lever somewhere else. It could b( on | ||
the side of the bike or even on | the side of the bike or even on th< back brake pedal, or anywhere i wouldn't be | ||
confused for something it' not. | confused for something it' not. | ||
Like the other guys, the engineers at Suzuki are concerned that | Like the other guys, the engineers at Suzuki are concerned that | ||
riders might hurt themselves somehow. So in addition to the parking brake, the | riders might hurt themselves somehow. So in addition to the parking brake, the | ||
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another person could twist the throttle and send the bike lurching off its | another person could twist the throttle and send the bike lurching off its | ||
stand. | stand. | ||
Some maintenance chores on the Suzuki aren't easy to do. Removing the rear | Some maintenance chores on the Suzuki aren't easy to do. Removing the rear | ||
tire, for instance, could hardly be more work. Even though this bike has a shaft | tire, for instance, could hardly be more work. Even though this bike has a shaft | ||
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shocks have to be disconnected or the exhaust removed in order to pull the axle | shocks have to be disconnected or the exhaust removed in order to pull the axle | ||
and remove the rear wheel. | and remove the rear wheel. | ||
Even removing the seat requires unbolting, unlatching and sliding it off | Even removing the seat requires unbolting, unlatching and sliding it off | ||
hooks. There is no storage area anywhere under the seat like that found on the | hooks. There is no storage area anywhere under the seat like that found on the | ||
GS450E. | |||
Convenience and serviceability may not have improved, but the suspension has. | Convenience and serviceability may not have improved, but the suspension has. | ||
The original GS450 suspension was soft in front and firm in back, the | The original GS450 suspension was soft in front and firm in back, the | ||
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Automatic there's no need for triple discs, and the forks control front end dive | Automatic there's no need for triple discs, and the forks control front end dive | ||
well enough without anti-dive hardware. | well enough without anti-dive hardware. | ||
In a way, the whole bike is like that. It does its job without excess or | In a way, the whole bike is like that. It does its job without excess or | ||
without difficulty. There are few technical fads on this bike. Handlebars are | without difficulty. There are few technical fads on this bike. Handlebars are | ||
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automatically stepping up the effective gearing whenever the throttle is cranked | automatically stepping up the effective gearing whenever the throttle is cranked | ||
open. | open. | ||
Like other Suzukis, the operation of controls is unobtrusive. Nothing is | Like other Suzukis, the operation of controls is unobtrusive. Nothing is | ||
stiff or difficult to use. Vibration is minimal, though more than the standard | stiff or difficult to use. Vibration is minimal, though more than the standard | ||
transmission GS450, due in part to lower than normal gearing. | transmission GS450, due in part to lower than normal gearing. | ||
All of this makes the Suzuki GS450A more than a good beginner bike. After the | All of this makes the Suzuki GS450A more than a good beginner bike. After the | ||
beginner learns how to get the most performance out of the Automatic, he'll find | beginner learns how to get the most performance out of the Automatic, he'll find | ||
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== Photos == | == Photos == | ||
[[File:Suzuki-gs450a-82.jpg|600px|Suzuki GS450GA Automatic]] | |||
File:Suzuki-gs450a-82.jpg|600px|Suzuki GS450GA Automatic | [[File:Suzuki-GS-450A-82.jpg|600px|Suzuki GS450GA Automatic]] | ||
File:Suzuki-GS-450A-82.jpg|600px|Suzuki GS450GA Automatic | |||
{{Suzuki}} | {{Suzuki}} | ||
[[Category:Suzuki motorcycles]] | [[Category:Suzuki motorcycles]] | ||
[[Category:Automatic transmission motorcycles]] | [[Category:Automatic transmission motorcycles]] |