1983 GS1100 GK ignition questions

[chef1366]

Get the Dyna S and Dynojet kit.
I'll get you the crank bolt, bolt end and the advance.
Boom, you're in business.

[POE_333]

BOOM! Back from the bar! so let me get this straight...? How much is a good mech advance unit? new? used? And by that measure, wouldn't is be better to get to just get a Dyna (upsold) 2000 unit instead of buying the new/used mechanical adv which is an older generation of technology anyway? Can't you program the 2K model? If not, the next model up should be programmable yes? If that be the case, why wouldn't I spring for the extra cash to be able to make those changes pn the whim? I'm not so opposed to spending the money for functionm, but I'd just rather not spend cash without reasoning. Opinions?

[Nessism]

If you'd "rather not spend cash without reasoning", fix the real problem which is the carburation, not the ignition. Get the jet kit since you are going to need that regardless. Dump the money into the ignition afterwords if the problem persists. The factory ignition parts are high quality and rarely fail. In fact, you can pick up a used ignitor from an 850/1100 for far less money than even a Dyna S.

[chef1366]

The Dyna 2000 is programable. You can set the advance and I do believe a rev limiter.
The mechanical advance will advance the motor the same as the 2000 which is all you need for the street.

[doctorgonzo]

Gonna break down and put a 2000 on the E, but for general use, the S is all you need.

[POE_333]

Well with as many articles as I've read about the ignition going out, I figured I'd nip that problem in the bud before it potentially stranded me somewhere (most likely in some back woods town where people had more kids then teeth and no cell phone service lol- Just so nobody is offended.. I live in one of those towns.. but I DO have cell phone service.. LMAO! ) Beside the the horror stories I've read about, the coils and the leads are showing their age. I'm needing to replace some things anyway- no sense buying some "ok" replacement parts, just to buy the "WEEEEE!!" replacement parts later. Thoughts?

[Nessism]

Well with as many articles as I've read about the ignition going out, I figured I'd nip that problem in the bud before it potentially stranded me somewhere (most likely in some back woods town where people had more kids then teeth and no cell phone service lol- Just so nobody is offended.. I live in one of those towns.. but I DO have cell phone service.. LMAO! ) Beside the the horror stories I've read about, the coils and the leads are showing their age. I'm needing to replace some things anyway- no sense buying some "ok" replacement parts, just to buy the "WEEEEE!!" replacement parts later. Thoughts?

My thought is that you are not listening to me so I'm going to shut up now. If you go ahead and change the ignition please sell me that old, tired, sure to fail in the near future in the middle of nowhere ignitor of yours. I recently sold off my spare so someone could get their bike on the road and would like to replace it in the spares box.

[POE_333]

LOL! no no.. I've just got questions. I suppose it's more my nature to just wonder.. Being new to the luxury that is GS, all I can do is read the articles and converse with the educated to get the best idea of which direction I should take. Believe with no err that I'm listening quite intently. The jet kit is the very first on the agenda. But in the near future, I'm just looking to make it better (IF the Dyna system would make it better)

[Nessism]

LOL! no no.. I've just got questions. I suppose it's more my nature to just wonder.. Being new to the luxury that is GS, all I can do is read the articles and converse with the educated to get the best idea of which direction I should take. Believe with no err that I'm listening quite intently. The jet kit is the very first on the agenda. But in the near future, I'm just looking to make it better (IF the Dyna system would make it better)

I'm a grumpy old engineer type that worked for a Japanese auto maker for 21 years, and my preference is to stay with the OE parts unless given a significant reason to change. My strong preference it toward stock airboxs and exhausts too, but it seems I'm in the minority on this issue since pods and headers are like crack to most motorcyclists.

If you are one of those people that enjoys spending money on your bike I'd go for the Dyna S myself. If you are more conservative, get yourself a spare ignitor and carry it in your tote bag just in case (although you are not likely to ever need it). Used ignitors can be had for about $35 in the for sale forum here and on ebay if you wait for the right deal. My opinion is that the stock system is a proven commodity but the Dyna parts are not, at least not to the extent of the stock parts which typically go forever.

Good luck.

[POE_333]

My thought is that you are not listening to me so I'm going to shut up now. If you go ahead and change the ignition please sell me that old, tired, sure to fail in the near future in the middle of nowhere ignitor of yours. I recently sold off my spare so someone could get their bike on the road and would like to replace it in the spares box.

So as per my nature, let me state my question.. lol.. I'm going to guess that you are in agreement with chef1366 about the Dynojet kit,yes? If this be the case, they don't offer a kit specifically for the GS1100GK (as I can see).. they offer one for the 16 valve which, alas, I have not, and one that doesn't specify how many valves it is designed for, so I am to assume that it is made for the 8 valve, correct? Forgive my ignorance to the varieties of GS's... I'm not sure how to confirm that I would buy the appropriate kit without asking someone in the know. Teach me oh great Poobah!! lol.. jk man.

[kingofvenus]

If you'd "rather not spend cash without reasoning", fix the real problem which is the carburation, not the ignition. Get the jet kit since you are going to need that regardless. Dump the money into the ignition afterwords if the problem persists. The factory ignition parts are high quality and rarely fail. In fact, you can pick up a used ignitor from an 850/1100 for far less money than even a Dyna S.

I'm changing my 850's harness out for one from an '85 700 that i got for 21 bucks (w/shipping) off ebay that had the ignitor included. ('83 850's used the same ignitor as the 700's)

[POE_333]

No worries Mr Grinch.. lol.. jk.. I'm an RF and geoseismic engineer myself.. I'm ok with spending money on my bike SO LONG as it has purpose and function. The air box I had was TRASHED to say the least, and having faster access to the K&Ns, I opted to go with that. I think it looks better anyway. I keep asking about the programmable modules because I drive 62 miles each way to and from work each day, so fuel economy is under my scrutiny. However, I'd also like the ability to bump up the performance while taking my wife to Austin with a full load and perhaps a minitrailor for camping. So that's why I'm keeping up with the appearant resistance to stock. lol.. So, thereagain, I just like to keep myself in the know and get as wide a genre of observations as possible. That's all.

[Nessism]

Those Dynajet kits are primarily for bikes with pods and a header so not sure they are going to be a direct bolt in anyway. Kit 3103 is for the 1000/1100 shaft drive bikes - don't worry about the years listed, this is the kit you need. http://www.dynojet.com/pdf/3103.pdf

If you like to play around that Dyna 2000 is the way to go. You could play with the advance curve and try to maximize fuel economy although you will never increase it enough to cover the costs of the unit.

Good luck.

[POE_333]

Let me correct myself, as I misspoke earlier. The jetkit I am seeing is for a year that encompasses my year bike, but 16v and mine is an 8 valve ( so I understand it) The other kit is offered for an 1100 that is not made for my year.. and I fit for frikkin or what?

lol GUIDANCE! I NEED GUIDANCE! hahaha

[Nessism]

I'm changing my 850's harness out for one from an '85 700 that i got for 21 bucks (w/shipping) off ebay that had the ignitor included. ('83 850's used the same ignitor as the 700's)

The 850 has self canceling turn signals, which means it takes a different LH hand control. Not sure a 700 harness is the best choice although everything can be adapted with enough work.