1983 GS1100E Clutch parts questions

[Grand Rouge]

So if I wanted to order oem, but avoid the thinner 83 stuff, would I be good ordering steels and fibers for an 82 bike?

Steels and fibers: The fibers as shown in above FbG link are the ones ya want...... 1983 had the thinner fibers due to the core.....that puts grooves in the basket. Some 1982's may have had those as well. BUT....the GS 1150.....same fibers and steels as the 1980 and 81 GS 1100 so safe and good to go. That said...are your steels in poor condition...or have you yet to open clutch up? They are really durable 9 fibers are what ya need.

[Grand Rouge]

Seems strange, FBG doesn't distinguish between the 2 thicknesses for the GS1100's just say use 9 plates that would indicate they are the same as earlier thicker plates. It got me wondering so looking I found that Suzuki went back to the thicker plates for the GS1150's. It seems the thinner plates were for "83" GS1100 chain dr. models only.... Who'd have thunk that???

Exactly. What do you think...with the (apparent) horse power and torque increase with the 1983 E model did the engineers figure an extra 10 percent increase in friction area (10 fibers not 9) was necessary? Well, overkill for sure....including some basket grooving. Went with tried and true in following years with the 1150. All good.

[Grand Rouge]

Thinking more about OEM plates. I now have an "83" (D) model bike with thinner plates. I have several older plates back there that are from earlier bikes, that will be the thicker plates. If I take my "83" clutch apart and find a couple, or 3, broken plates, can I just stick a couple, or 3 of those old, thicker, plates in there and be OK, or would it make the complete stack too thick (tall) to work properly on a stock bike? I know I have both older 1100 plates and GS1150 plates back there in the same pile, but never noticed the difference in thickness.

I am thinking you already know the answer... To ensure proper clutch pack height in spec, go with the 9 thicker fibers.

[Rob S.]

Exactly. What do you think...with the (apparent) horse power and torque increase with the 1983 E model...

I'm not aware of any power increase from '82 to '83. The welded crank (which '82 did not have) of course is better, but some have suggested the '82 11E is more powerful than the '83.

[rphillips]

I just found this rob. Per Cycle World Test Sept. 1983 Suzuki GS1100E. Valve lift was increased for 1983 and intake valve timing was advanced by moving the cam sprocket holes. Along with larger air box inlets and a less restrictive exhaust, those changes boosted the 1983 engines output to 108bhp @ 9000rpm., up from the 1982 version's 105bhp.... We'd done a lot of investigating back then, all we found was the "83" EX cam was slightly bigger (I bought and installed it in my "80"), and the air box inlet was changed, as it was every every yr. for the 1100E. We also found the valve seats were cut on different angles for the "82" Katana, I had the seats cut on my "80" to match them. Did all I could find to keep my GS1100 all stock Suzuki, including the stock Suzuki sprocket from an RE5 rotary, that geared it down 1 tooth.

[Rob S.]

Per the July 1982 Cycle World (I have it), the claimed '82 11E output was also 108 hp.

[rphillips]

Who you gon'na believe July "82" or Sept. "83" ? I have no clue. Rob, you shouldn't let it bother you that my "83" makes more power than your "82"... I'll just ease off my throttle a little to let you catch up.

[Grand Rouge]

Well...still a clutch fiber thread...but..... I have owned an 81 and an 82 1100E (both purchased new as well)..... both sold 15 years ago..... My 83, owned since new and in my garage right now.....was faster / quicker than the other two. No magazine editor stuff...straight up, 3 factory stock machines..same time same day rotated riders among machines quite often...street light to street light, drag strips, Westwood race track etc. That said, what does it matter?

[joequesmith]

Say 108ish for the 83 stock. My 94 GSXR was around 150 HP, same weight. I think my 06 GSXR was around 180 stock.

Consider the cost to build a 40 years old engine to make the same power a stock 15 year old bike can. Then there is the problem of getting parts. Makes no sense today to go this route.

I've never had my old GSs on a dyno but would guess they are around 200 HP based on ET and weight. There's hardly anything in the motors stock.

[Rob S.]

99.3 hp for my 11EZ.

Plus, it's painted '83 red.

[adam83]

So I compared the suzuki parts diagrams from the 81, 82, and 83 gs1100e, and the 84/85 gs1150e.

The 81, and 84/85 only list one part number, 21441-31D00. This is the thicker fiber

The 82/83 offer both the thicker fiber (21441-31D00) for the Z model, and the thinner fiber (21441-49210) for the D model.

I'm going with the thicker fibers as suggested. Unfortunately, they are $27 before tax and shipping! I'll wait to order until I have my clutch taken apart, so I can see which fibers I have and what condition they are in. I'm opening the case cover up to replace the gasket, and was just gonna replace the clutches and steels while I was in there for good measure, but at these prices I'm gonna have to see what I have first. If the bike still has the 10 disc setup, I'm gonna replace no matter what condition they are in

[rphillips]

Whatever works, I abused a lot of Suzuki clutches for several yrs. Luckily found very little trouble with wear of the plates, the hubs were what were known for problems. My only plate problems were from 1/2" chunks broke out, and missing, from them, or a crack, that won't be too obvious till you look close. You may want to notice, one end of the "dogs" should be flattened more than the other, flip them over to drive from the opposite end this time. not mandatory, just seems to make sense... Thinking you may be confused with the parts fiche. 82 (Z) and "83" (D) on same screen. The pic. for Z is the part used for "82", the pic for D is the part used for the "83" models... I think... Keep us updated.

[adam83]

So, while I'm in the case, I'm planning on replacing the oil seal on the pinion shaft.

Is it a good idea to replace the pinion bearings while I'm in there? (#27/28 in diagram)