Is the 1980 16 valve GS1100L Hard to Find?

[RustyTank]

tel:2643067[/URL]"]2643067[/URL]]In the quarter mile, a half second is a world of difference.

I take your point Rob, I’m just coming at it from a street riding perspective. To me a half second faster doesn’t mean jack sh!t.

[RustyTank]

Wait, there was also a GS1000L?

You can tell I'm gettin into the L's

[RichDesmond]

A specific, one year model of a 40 year old bike is going to be hard to find, no avoiding that. It'll just be a matter of luck running across one.

Shaft adds about 40-50lbs, and also costs HP, those two right angle turns in the driveline come with a price. If you rode an '80 16V chain drive back to back with an '81 8V shaft drive I'm sure you would find the difference noticeable.

That said, either bike makes plenty of power for any real world use, and I bet you'd get equal amounts of enjoyment out of them.

[RustyTank]

A specific, one year model of a 40 year old bike is going to be hard to find, no avoiding that. It'll just be a matter of luck running across one.

Shaft adds about 40-50lbs, and also costs HP, those two right angle turns in the driveline come with a price. If you rode an '80 16V chain drive back to back with an '81 8V shaft drive I'm sure you would find the difference noticeable.

That said, either bike makes plenty of power for any real world use, and I bet you'd get equal amounts of enjoyment out of them.

There it is

Thanks Rich. I've thought about it over the last 24 hours and I think your right.

[rphillips]

For me, the noticeable diff. in power from 8V to 16V & chain vs shaft wouldn't be as big of a deal as riding an "L" model. I'm sure they're OK for some folks, but they just never fit me, it seems they put my knees too close to my nose

[Eli69]

I actually seem to own a 1980 GS1100L. I didn't realize that it was an oddity. I've been working on it on and off for a couple years now and have not gotten it running yet. And it is a 16 valve chain drive. For some reason I always thought it was an 82.

[RustyTank]

For me, the noticeable diff. in power from 8V to 16V & chain vs shaft wouldn't be as big of a deal as riding an "L" model. I'm sure they're OK for some folks, but they just never fit me, it seems they put my knees too close to my nose

I haven't been on one yet so I can't speak from experience but for some reason, and for the first time, that riding position your referring to is beginning to appeal to me. Not that the other, standard position isn't...I'm just up for given the L a shot.

[RustyTank]

I actually seem to own a 1980 GS1100L. I didn't realize that it was an oddity. I've been working on it on and off for a couple years now and have not gotten it running yet. And it is a 16 valve chain drive. For some reason I always thought it was an 82.

HA! Well happy birthday...errr whatever congratulatory response is appropriate upon such a revelation

[Nessism]

Forum long-timer Chef (Bill) has one and has enjoyed it quite a bit. He's a good sized boy and rode the heck out of it with various configurations of hopped up engines. Assuming the L riding position fits you the only negative I can think of is the rather small gas tank.

[Rob S.]

Peppermint Pattie has one, and is no longer able to ride it. (Or is it Gramma Peppermint?) There's a picture of her on it, with extra chrome.

Rphillips - before you blame the L, have you considered it might be your nose at fault?

[Steve]

I'll admit I didn't know that Suzuki went to the 8-valve engine for the rest of the GS1100L run. Learn something every day, I guess.

Yes and No.
They didn't really "go to the 8-valve" for the rest of the run. You have to look at the rest of the model designation.
The "rest" of the Ls were actually GLs, even though the G did not appear on the side cover. With that "G" in the model, it's a shafty. The first shaft-driven GS was the '79 850. It was followed in '80 by the 1000G, along with a couple of Ls, the GS850GL and the GS1000GL. The '80 850GL and 1000GL were also one-year models, sort of. The '81 L models of both bikes were re-styled and the new look continued through the '83 models. In '82, the 1000G (and GL) grew to 1100G and GL.

... I'm trying to figure out whether, when looking for an 1100L, it's even worth looking for an 80 model, and what the pros and cons are between the 1980 and the later years. ...

In my opinion, the 'pro' of the '80 1100L was the 16-valve head. The 'con' was the chain drive.
The 'pro' of the later years (sticking to the L models) was the shaft drive. They ALL had the 'con' of smaller gas tanks and uncomfortable handlebars and seats.

Wait, there was also a GS1000L? You can tell I'm gettin into the L's

As mentioned above, yes there was, but it was a GL. 8-valve head shafty.

.

[rphillips]

NO Rob, dang it, it's evident you have trouble comprehending what you read!!! GO read my post again, it never mentioned my nose was too close to my knees. Could be the placement of the foot pegs on the "L", or my legs may put my knees too close to my nose, but the nose has nothing to do with it.

[storm 64]

Can't argue with that. The nose knows. 🤔

[RustyTank]

Well, I'm pretty sure that when it comes time for me to start lookin for an 1100L I've got the right group of people around to help me out. Thanks for the great info. This is a fun thread, super informative.

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Funny, most folks seem to turn their nose down at the L styling, opting to change to straighter bars and a flatter seat. I guess there is some love for the L after all.