What is the weight of a complete 1983 GS1100e engine vs Bandit 1200 engine?

[maicojoe]

I?ve searched through over 300 posts with various keywords, no luck in finding accurate information.
I?m contemplating putting a Bandit 1200 engine into one of my 1983 GS1100e bikes, with modern Ohlins front and rear, Bandit swing arm modified for the twin shocks, modern 17? lightweight wheels with modern tires (180 rear), and modern big brakes. I know, everyone will say just get a modern bike or a Bandit and be done with it. I don?t like the looks of modern bikes, and I like the ergonomics and handling of a 1983 just fine. I have two 1983 GS1100e bikes, just the normal bolt-ons on both. But, I think it would be a much more fun bike if I could lose about 100 pounds off one of them, and add some modern suspension,tires, brakes, and add about another 50 HP over what they make now. They both Dyno exactly the same, 109hp at the wheel. So, I need to get accurate weights of various 1983 components, but I have a hunch the biggest weight savings would be in swapping the engines?

Thanks in advance, JN

[Cipher]

well the gs 1100 sposed to be 536 dry
bandit 474

no idea about the lumps

[Guest]

I’ve searched through over 300 posts with various keywords, no luck in finding accurate information.
I’m contemplating putting a Bandit 1200 engine into one of my 1983 GS1100e bikes, with modern Ohlins front and rear, Bandit swing arm modified for the twin shocks, modern 17” lightweight wheels with modern tires (180 rear), and modern big brakes. I know, everyone will say just get a modern bike or a Bandit and be done with it. I don’t like the looks of modern bikes, and I like the ergonomics and handling of a 1983 just fine. I have two 1983 GS1100e bikes, just the normal bolt-ons on both. But, I think it would be a much more fun bike if I could lose about 100 pounds off one of them, and add some modern suspension,tires, brakes, and add about another 50 HP over what they make now. They both Dyno exactly the same, 109hp at the wheel. So, I need to get accurate weights of various 1983 components, but I have a hunch the biggest weight savings would be in swapping the engines?

Thanks in advance, JN

Dunno about the weight of the engines respectively but I can say that modern wheels, forks, etc are a LOT lighter. My GS1000 weighs 435-440 +- 5 lbs wet and that's about a 120-125 lb weight savings over the listed wet weight of 562 pounds. (https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/mo...1000e%2078.htm) Like you I like the vibe/sound/feel of old school Suzukis but wanted modern wheels, tires, brakes, and handling.

If I were you, I'd first look into upgrading your suspension/brakes/wheels to shave weight and then into motor swaps or mods.

[headsbikesmopars]

I have read that the GS1100 16 valve engines weigh 193 lbs. I have never weighed one but I have installed many and they are heavy .

[rphillips]

It seems it would take a "lot" more than lighter forks & wheels to get 120# off of a GS1000, 120# is a lot, that's about 20% of the total bike's wgt. Also have R/R several GS1000 & 1100 engines, were heavy, but didn't really feel like nearly 200#, 35 yrs. ago, but probably would today. The wgt. wasn't the main problem, not having a good place to grab, lift, & hold on to the dang thing while shoving it back in there was a bigger problem for us. Seems odd that with all the folks around the GSR, nobody has put a GS1000 or 1100 eng. on a scale. Also answer to this orig. question would be pretty dang interesting.

[Guest]

It seems it would take a "lot" more than lighter forks & wheels to get 120# off of a GS1000, 120# is a lot, that's about 20% of the total bike's wgt.

The 435-440 +- 5 lbs wet comes from weighing the GS1000 wet with a full tank of gas, oil filled up etc ready to ride. I put the front wheel on the scale, then the rear wheel, and added the total.

Weight savings list includes:

Lighter 17" wheels/brake rotors/axles, swingarm, and triples/forks. Monoshock conversion removes half of the shock weight vs. a dual shock setup. Front fender is ABS plastic instead of metal.
Passenger pegs/brackets removed
Centerstand removed
GSXR AGM battery vs. the stock boat anchor lead acid battery
Stock 4 into 4 exhaust replaced with 10 lb. aftermarket 4-2-1 header and muffler
520 chain/sprocket conversion. The stock 630 chain is heavy!!
KOSO single gauge vs. stock gauge cluster
Airbox removed and replaced with pods - I think the RS34 carbs maybe lighter than the stock carbs too

It all adds up to some pretty significant weight savings.

[rphillips]

Na man, I wasn't questioning your post. You said etc. I figured the exh., center stand, & chain, that's almost normal for anything other than a hard core orig GS's. Yours is appx. 100 lb. lighter than my Bandit 1200's & to me they feel light. Yours has got'ta be a hoot to ride. Congrats on the build, sounds great.

[Guest]

Na man, I wasn't questioning your post. You said etc. I figured the exh., center stand, & chain, that's almost normal for anything other than a hard core orig GS's. Yours is appx. 100 lb. lighter than my Bandit 1200's & to me they feel light. Yours has got'ta be a hoot to ride. Congrats on the build, sounds great.

No worries man. I was trying to give the OP some ideas on how to put one of these classics on a diet! It really wakes them up. My 1000 feels pretty modern for a 40 year old bike. LOL

[bobgroger]

My 1100e with Gen 1 Bandit front and rear, while I have never weighed it, is MUCH lighter than my stock GS just pushing it around.

[dorkburger]

I've recently read the weight difference between the air and oil cooled lumps on a thread on OSS, but I couldn't find it as it wasn't the main topic.
It was pretty significant.
Regarding the wheels, I recently humped a fully dressed 1150 rear wheel into storage in the garage attic. It was shockingly heavy.

[maicojoe]

Thanks guys for the information. When I get back home from Alaska, I will weigh all three GS1100e bikes on scales. I have a couple pretty accurate 500 pound scales, put one under each wheel. Granted, they all three have aftermarket 4-1 exhausts, and pods. And the black 1983 bike has a complete 1984 GS1150 front end, including the 16? wheel. Then, just remove the engine outta the red 1983, and get to work. This all started when I acquired a new MTC GSXR big block or ?gorilla? block as the seller called it. I have a 2002 Bandit 1200 bike as a donor, so will just start with converting the swing arm to twin shock, but get a pair of Ohlins for the rear. For the front, will start with the stock Bandit complete front end. But, eventually, switch over to 43mm conventional Ohlins forks and modern brakes. And Bob, nice looking square light bike.... are you happy with how it rides? What are the actual wheel widths, and what tires are you using?

[wyly]

The dry weight of an 84 efe is if I recall 524 lbs. Weighing all the parts I've removed and replaced from my 84 efe my efe should now be about 480 lbs, I haven't done an accurate tally lately. I also added an estimated 20-25 hp, I figure my efe will perform quite well compared to a newer bandit. Even better when my overbore done.

[bobgroger]

The dry weight of an 84 efe is if I recall 524 lbs. Weighing all the parts I've removed and replaced from my 84 efe my efe should now be about 480 lbs, I haven't done an accurate tally lately. I also added an estimated 20-25 hp, I figure my efe will perform quite well compared to a newer bandit. Even better when my overbore done.

When I put Bandit forks, swingarm, and rims on my 1260e it made a very noticeable difference just in pushing it around. I think 50 pounds could be in the ballpark. It is a little scary to ride now, especially after getting off my stock one. Like you I didn't weigh the parts....

[bobgroger]

Thanks guys for the information. When I get back home from Alaska, I will weigh all three GS1100e bikes on scales. I have a couple pretty accurate 500 pound scales, put one under each wheel. Granted, they all three have aftermarket 4-1 exhausts, and pods. And the black 1983 bike has a complete 1984 GS1150 front end, including the 16? wheel. Then, just remove the engine outta the red 1983, and get to work. This all started when I acquired a new MTC GSXR big block or ?gorilla? block as the seller called it. I have a 2002 Bandit 1200 bike as a donor, so will just start with converting the swing arm to twin shock, but get a pair of Ohlins for the rear. For the front, will start with the stock Bandit complete front end. But, eventually, switch over to 43mm conventional Ohlins forks and modern brakes. And Bob, nice looking square light bike.... are you happy with how it rides? What are the actual wheel widths, and what tires are you using?

Joe, It rides well once I preloaded the fork bearings a bit more to tame the wobble. The wheels are stock G1 Bandit maybe 3" and 5.5", 120-70\17 and 190-50\17. 180-55\17 would have been a much better choice. I needed to shave some of the tire off with a 3/8 sprocket. Tires are Shinko 003 front, Shinko hook-up rear. Both are really light.

[wyly]

When I put Bandit forks, swingarm, and rims on my 1260e it made a very noticeable difference just in pushing it around. I think 50 pounds could be in the ballpark. It is a little scary to ride now, especially after getting off my stock one. Like you I didn't weigh the parts....

why is it scary to ride, twitchy handling? Vintage bikes often handle better when staying with oem tire sizes.

I have weighed my parts I just forget to write it down so I don't have a spot on tally, I may do that today. I know my forks are far heavier than bandit forks but I've converted them to RaceTech emulators so they're staying on. The wheels will be swapped out at some point for GSXR wheels so I expect a considerable weight saving there.