Suzuki GS300L model history
1982—1984

I have tried to tell the Suzuki GS 300 L model history on this page as I know it. The page is still under contruction. I would be grateful of any contributions — sales brochures, magazine ads, magazine articles, pictures, specs, facts, corrections etc. Please scan the material in JPEG format (large enough that all the details are visible) and send them to me. Please tell me the source and the publication date if possible. If you send me pictures of your own bike, please follow these instructions.

Suzuki presented its lightweight cruiser GS300L in 1982. It looked like its larger sisters and had everything that appeared necessary for a genuine chopper: high bars, a broad step-seat, sissy bar, 16-inch rear wheel and lots of chrome. The small two-cylinder engine had an ultramodern TSSC cylinder head (twin Squirl Combustion Chamber) with 4 valves per cylinders, a balance shaft to reduce vibrations, a pointless ignition and naturally an electric starter. If the model had ever been available for the European market, the model would have been sold as GSX300L. It would have probably received a disc brake for the front wheel. The U.S. biker had to get along with drum brakes, which in view of the maximum power of approximately 30 bhp today appears a bit adventurous. The GS300L was not made for serious touring but for cruising and having fun with and for that it was quite good a bike. And it looked good. It came in two colors, black and red metallic. The model was initially equipped with Suzuki five-star light alloy wheels but apparently was later available with spoked (wire) wheels. Unfortunately I haven't got any official pictures of the later model years. The small cruiser was somewhat a success in USA. The model was built with only smaller changes until 1984.

1981 Suzuki year code: Z

GS 300 L 1982 Overall length: 2,020 mm (79.5 in) Overall width: 840 mm (33.1 in) Overall height: 1,100 mm (43.3 in) Wheelbase: 1,410 mm (55.5 in) Ground clearance: 140 mm (5.5 in) Engine type: Air-cooled 299 cc parallel twin, DOHC, 8 valves. Click on the image for larger format. Here's even larger picture.

GS 300 L 1982 Overall length: 2,020 mm (79.5 in) Overall width: 840 mm (33.1 in) Overall height: 1,100 mm (43.3 in) Wheelbase: 1,410 mm (55.5 in) Ground clearance: 140 mm (5.5 in) Engine type: Air-cooled 299 cc parallel twin, DOHC, 8 valves. Click on the image for larger format. Here's even larger picture.

1982 Suzuki GS300LZ specifications Source: Suzuki Service Manual DIMENSIONS AND DRY MASS Overall length: 2,020 mm (79.5 in) Overall width: 840 mm (33.1 in) Overall height: 1,100 mm (43.3 in) Wheelbase: 1,410 mm (55.5 in) Ground clearance: 140 mm (5.5 in) Dry mass: 159 kg (351 lbs) ENGINE Type: Four-stroke, air-cooled, DOHC Number of cylinders: 2 Bore x stroke: 62.0 x 49.6 mm Piston displacement: 299 cc Compression ratio: 8.9 : 1 Carburetor: Mikuni BS30SS, twin Air cleaner: Polyurethane foam element Starter system: Electric Lubrication system: Wet sump TRANSMISSION Clutch: Wet multi-plate type Transmission: 5-speed constant mesh Gearshjift pattern: 1-down, 4-up Primary reduction: 3.125 (75/24) Final reduction: 2.800 (42/15) Gear ratios Low 2.500 (30/12) 2nd 1.625 (26/16) 3rd 1.210 (23/19) 4th 1.000 (21/21 Top 0.863 (19/22) Crive Chain: Daido DID520UB or Takasago RK520SU, 108 links CHASSIS Front suspension: Telescopic, coil spring oil dampened Rear suspension: Swinging arm, oil dampened, spring 5-way adjustable Sttering angle: 42° (right & left) Caster: 62° 00' Trail: 104 mm Turning radius: 2.3 m Front brake: Internal expanding Rear brake: Internal expanding Front tire size: 3.60S18 4PR Rear tire size: 4.60S16 4PR Front tire pressure: 1.75 kg/cm2 (normal solo riding) Rear tire pressure: 2.00 kg/cm2 (normal solo riding) ELECTRICAL Ignition type: Transistorized Ignition timing: 15° B.T.D.C below at 1,650 r/min and 40° B.T.D.C above at 4,500 r/min Spark plug: NGK DR8ES or Nippon Denso X27ESR-U Battery: 12V 43.2 kC (12 Ah)/10 HR Generator: Three-phase A.C. generator Fuse: 15A CAPACITIES Fuel tank including reserve: 13.0 liter reserve: 2.0 liter Engine oil: 2,000 ml Front fork oil (each leg): 153 ml

Under construction. Please send me more information, pictures and brochure
scans of this model.




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