1983 GS1100E - 530 Gearing for More Low End?

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  • Phaedrus
    • Jan 2026

    #1

    1983 GS1100E - 530 Gearing for More Low End?

    I'm interested in trying to get some more low end torque out of my GS1100. Converted to 530 before a long road trip, kept the gearing stock. At 65 mph she purrs along at ~4k rpms. She's got endless headroom that I can't use...

    Now that I'm settled again at home and doing mostly street and cruising highway 1, I want a little more umf.

    I've read a few ratio threads and they get pretty in-depth, seem to be slated towards the dragster crowd. I'm not looking to race. I just want a nice compromise between low end torque and comfortable highway cruising.

    Any suggestions?
  • Nessism
    Forum LongTimer
    GSResource Superstar
    Past Site Supporter
    Super Site Supporter
    • Mar 2006
    • 35783
    • Torrance, CA

    #2
    My suggestion is keep it stock.
    Ed

    To measure is to know.

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    Comment

    • rapidray
      Forum Guru
      GSResource Superstar
      • Oct 2006
      • 8195
      • So Cal

      #3
      A good compromise is to go 3 teeth up in the back. Going 1 smaller in the front is about the same change but isn't good for the chain to give it a sharper bend to make. Also, it is good for the "stock is best" guys to stay out of the Performance & Mods section since they rarely seem to have anything good to add.
      Ray.

      Comment

      • Phaedrus

        #4
        Originally posted by rapidray
        A good compromise is to go 3 teeth up in the back. Going 1 smaller in the front is about the same change but isn't good for the chain to give it a sharper bend to make. Also, it is good for the "stock is best" guys to stay out of the Performance & Mods section since they rarely seem to have anything good to add.
        Ray.
        Right on. Thanks for the suggestion. I'm running a 50T right now (I think...). I'll give 47 a shot, see what it feels like.

        Comment

        • astradaryl

          #5
          Could always do 3 up on the back as said above then if you still need more then drop one one the front. I've done +3/-1 on plenty of 1000cc supersport bikes and a 180mph bike will generally then bounce revs at around 160

          hope this helps happy riding

          Comment

          • ozman

            #6
            Originally posted by Phaedrus
            Right on. Thanks for the suggestion. I'm running a 50T right now (I think...). I'll give 47 a shot, see what it feels like.


            going the wrong way son !!! ....47t you are gearing the bike up.... if you want umf you need gear the bike down 53-54t will get you what you want

            ozman

            Comment

            • Phaedrus

              #7
              Originally posted by ozman
              going the wrong way son !!! ....47t you are gearing the bike up.... if you want umf you need gear the bike down 53-54t will get you what you want

              ozman
              Whoops! Thanks for catching that...

              z1 only seems to carry up to 52T for JTR816 rears... http://www.z1enterprises.com/ListIte...eywords=816+53 Where do I get my hands on some 53/54's?

              In fact, it looks like JT only makes up to 52T for the 816 series http://www.jtsprockets.com/catalogue/sprocket/JTR816
              Last edited by Guest; 01-10-2015, 04:23 PM.

              Comment

              • Guest

                #8
                What size is your counter shaft sprocket if your running a 50T rear?
                You would need to be running a 18T counter shaft sprocket to keep it close to stock gearing so you could easily go to a 17T or 16T on a 530 chain as the GSXR1100 came with a 15T counter shaft
                sprocket and it is not to tight of a bend for a 530 chain. In the 530 set up the closest gearing to stock GS1100/1150 is 17T front and 48T rear. I would suggest you go one tooth smaller on the front and see how you like it. especially if you have a 18T counter shaft sprocket on it now.
                Last edited by Guest; 01-10-2015, 07:56 PM.

                Comment

                • Phaedrus

                  #9
                  Originally posted by stetracer
                  What size is your counter shaft sprocket if your running a 50T rear?
                  You would need to be running a 18T counter shaft sprocket to keep it close to stock gearing so you could easily go to a 17T or 16T on a 530 chain as the GSXR1100 came with a 15T counter shaft
                  sprocket and it is not to tight of a bend for a 530 chain. In the 530 set up the closest gearing to stock GS1100/1150 is 17T front and 48T rear. I would suggest you go one tooth smaller on the front and see how you like it. especially if you have a 18T counter shaft sprocket on it now.
                  Cool. Thanks for the info. I'll probably try a -1 front to start and order a +2 rear at the same time. If the -1 isn't enough, I'll throw the +2 on.

                  Thanks for all of the guidance throughout this thread. I appreciate it.

                  Comment

                  • blowerbike
                    Forum Guru
                    GSResource Superstar
                    • Aug 2008
                    • 7057
                    • Ohio Closer to KY Than Cleveland

                    #10
                    look in the for sale section for a couple nice aluminum rear sprockets if interested..

                    Comment

                    • trevor
                      Forum LongTimer
                      Past Site Supporter
                      • Oct 2011
                      • 18669
                      • Victoria bc

                      #11
                      Originally posted by Phaedrus
                      I'm interested in trying to get some more low end torque out of my GS1100. Converted to 530 before a long road trip, kept the gearing stock. At 65 mph she purrs along at ~4k rpms. She's got endless headroom that I can't use...

                      Now that I'm settled again at home and doing mostly street and cruising highway 1, I want a little more umf.

                      I've read a few ratio threads and they get pretty in-depth, seem to be slated towards the dragster crowd. I'm not looking to race. I just want a nice compromise between low end torque and comfortable highway cruising.

                      Any suggestions?
                      Hmmm...I have the same bike and can't imagine wanting more bottom end. Mine does roll on wheelies as it is. I did go to the 530 conversion but kept the ratio the same as stock. But then again I do lots of high speed riding and like the rpm the way they are...
                      To each his own and I hope you find what you want.
                      No signature :(

                      Comment

                      • blowerbike
                        Forum Guru
                        GSResource Superstar
                        • Aug 2008
                        • 7057
                        • Ohio Closer to KY Than Cleveland

                        #12
                        Originally posted by rapidray
                        A good compromise is to go 3 teeth up in the back. Going 1 smaller in the front is about the same change but isn't good for the chain to give it a sharper bend to make. Also, it is good for the "stock is best" guys to stay out of the Performance & Mods section since they rarely seem to have anything good to add.
                        Ray.
                        i'm surprised a comment like this would impose a member to be blocked from posting.
                        i will start a thread in the GS motorcycle discussion area for confirmation from mods.
                        thank you

                        Comment

                        • Nessism
                          Forum LongTimer
                          GSResource Superstar
                          Past Site Supporter
                          Super Site Supporter
                          • Mar 2006
                          • 35783
                          • Torrance, CA

                          #13
                          Ray just texted me that he got slammed for his comment. It could have been more tactfully worded mind you, but I don't have a problem with what he said. I did not report him.
                          Ed

                          To measure is to know.

                          Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

                          Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

                          Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

                          KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

                          Comment

                          • trevor
                            Forum LongTimer
                            Past Site Supporter
                            • Oct 2011
                            • 18669
                            • Victoria bc

                            #14
                            Wow..he got blocked for that?? It was a little obnoxious that's for sure and uncalled for. Not sure if blocking him is right but the rules are not mine.
                            No signature :(

                            Comment

                            • blowerbike
                              Forum Guru
                              GSResource Superstar
                              • Aug 2008
                              • 7057
                              • Ohio Closer to KY Than Cleveland

                              #15

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