GS1000E Skunk & 83GS750ES mods

[salty_monk]

So... help me make up my mind.

I have both bikes, pretty much stock apart from upgraded brakes on the skunk.

I have access to a set of the wider 1150 wheels.

I have access to a full 1150 front end incl brakes & rotors etc. The fork size is the same as the stock 750/1000 at 37mm.

I have bought a 1990 RSU GSXR front end complete with brakes etc but it's from a GSXR "slabby" that had already been converted to 17" wheels so it has 3 spoke 17" wheels with it.

So... do I fit the 1150 rear & stick with the stock front on the 750, fitting roadriders in a 100f 140r.

Fit the 1150 wheels F & R, fit a set of roadriders or a set of Avon radials I've found for those wheel sizes with the stock 750 forks.

Fot the 1150 front end & the wheels (not sure what if any benefit the 1150 gives other than brakes & I can fit some kind of twinpot brakes to the 750 front end anyway...)

Fit the GSXR front end & wheels to the 750 & don't put any 1150 stuff on it.

If the GSXR front end doesn't go on the 750 I'll put it on the skunk along with an 1100 swingarm I have for the rear.

Dan

[first timer]

the 83 750 would look right at home with the slaby stuff. check out billy ricks ride.

the 1000 with slabby stuff would be a little more street fighter in the english tradition.

if the skunk is in real nice shape, maybe just a suttel build using the 1150 stuff or better yet find a set of spokes and fit wider rims and your brakes to them. A un molested skunk looks real good.

[Big T]

Using the 17" wheels will give you the widest choice of tires, but the GSXR front end is a clip on set up, so you have to go radical on the riding position.

The best combination would be a Katana 600/750 front end with 17" wheel along with the aluminum swingarm and a 17" rear. You lose a bit of ground clearance, and you can drill the top clamp for standard bars for a standard riding position.

I don't think the 1150 front end offers much other than better tires, but only a bit as the fronts are limited in availability

[posplayr]

Dan

Hey when you figure it out let me know; I'll do what you do .

Jim

[salty_monk]

I do have a set of spokes... & yes the plan was to fit wider rims to them & drop them into the original skunk front end with a fork brace & the better brakes.

The fork tubes on my skunk aren't perfect though but you're right... I think it might be a shame to modify it more than it already is.

he GS750ES forks are in great shape - cosmetically this bike is pretty scrappy so modifying it doesn't really bother me too much, it won't be stock by the time I'm finished whatever I do....

Maybe the GSXR stuff is better suited to that. ahhh

[Billy Ricks]

You don't necessarily have to use clipons with the GSXR front end. You can drill a pilot hole straight up through the triple where the gauges mount. Use the rear set of mounting points for this. Then from the topside drill and tap for a set of handlebar mounts.

[salty_monk]

Yes, seen that done before. That would be my plan with the skunk, with the 750 I would use clipons as they're stock I guess....

What worries me about the 750 is the length. The GSXR forks are only 30.25". The stockers are 32". So I'll lose 1.75", gain 1/2" back in the wheel but then likely lose another 1" or so in tyre height with radials (can you confirm this?).
I guess if you don't use clipons ar fitted clipons under the top triple you would also gain about 1" as you could push the fork legs right down (stock 750 the clipons go on the fork tubes on top of the triple tree so actual length from top of triple is about 31").

I guess when I get some more of the parts I'll be able to get a better feel for some of this...

Dan

[Billy Ricks]

One thing to remember is the GSXR forks don't have as much travel as the GS stuff. And with a radial you can set the suspension up on the stiff side. The radial does a good job of soaking up the initial jolt on bumps.

I don't think you'll lose anywhere near an inch even with a 70 series tire.

[salty_monk]

Thanks Billy...

[first timer]

Check katman posts, I am pretty sure you can use honda 954 triples and they will buy you an extra 1" of length.

[Billy Ricks]

Check katman posts, I am pretty sure you can use honda 954 triples and they will buy you an extra 1" of length.

It's what I'm using and it's about 3/4". Trouble is his aren't inverted forks. They are like this only a little longer. These are '88 750.

[first timer]

It's what I'm using and it's about 3/4". Trouble is his aren't inverted forks. They are like this only a little longer. These are '88 750.

ahh so thats what the RSU mean.... brain fart

[salty_monk]

I can get a triple modified or some kind of adapter CNC'd at our facility in China so I'm not overly worried about making it work..... I have a few ideas of ways to do it.

Billy, what clearance do you have with your setup? Stock is 5.5"

Dan

[Billy Ricks]

I can get a triple modified or some kind of adapter CNC'd at our facility in China so I'm not overly worried about making it work..... I have a few ideas of ways to do it.

Billy, what clearance do you have with your setup? Stock is 5.5"

Dan

I couldn't say with the collector on my pipe as far as as stock number. With the '88 on my 700 the pipe would make contact. The '88 was the shortest of the bunch. Suzuki had Dunlop make a special tire for that front end that was more triangulated than most to make up for the length. The trouble is people had to fight to get the bike over and once you did it wanted to fall into turns. Even with the length I had to hit some horrible stuff to bottom out. This new fork probably gives me another 1 1/2" I didn't have before. It should be perfect for the 550 mod that is going on.

[83GS750E]

If you end up swapping out the forks from your 750es I'd be interested in the old ones. Let me know if you're planning on selling them.