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1980 or 1982 GS1100E--Which Would You Choose?

Be aware that the 82 may have a weak crank. Press fit journals and a small taper on the start clutch side.
 
Well, no doubt, both look great. Also the ugliest color for the 1st gen. and by far the prettiest color for the 2nd gen. Both look like awesome finds, Congrats, and will be watching the progress.
 
rphillips said:
Well, no doubt, both look great. Also the ugliest color for the 1st gen. and by far the prettiest color for the 2nd gen. Both look like awesome finds, Congrats, and will be watching the progress.
Click to expand...

That's funny, I really like the black with the red accents and have never been a fan of silver. :)
 
A little more info., here. The black bike was supposedly a 1980 with title. Well, hold on, not so fast. It's actually a 1981 and the title I have that was supposedly for it is in reality the title for the parts bike, which is an '82.
Here's a pic of it. DSC04220.jpg
Those are Fox Shox on the rear.
Ironically, this bike is the most cosmetically clean of the 3.
 
More goodies came with the deal. New seat cover for the '82, tank from and miscellaneous parts presumably from the parts bike and in the blue tub are the carbs for the parts bike. Disassembled but organized. DSC04228.jpg
 
Big Block said:
Jeez: Well, one of those 82's should sell easily. Is it a hassle get a title for the 81 in Ca? It sounds like you prefer the 81 and it does look pretty good after a seat replacement. The cranks wouldn't have made it this far if they were going to give a problem.
I wish you weren't 2 days away or I'd be interested in one of the 82's.
Click to expand...

It's possible to get a title but it is a hassle.
My thinking right now is to keep both '82s and sell the '81 as a parts bike.
This morning when I got back from my morning walk, I started tinkering on the '81. Removed the rear turn signal to keep for the '82 and while I was in there, I noticed abnormal wiring coming into the harness. Closer inspection revealed an aftermarket anti-theft alarm system. What a mess of over-engineered garbage! So, what went from a 5-minute job of removing a turn signal, turned into a 2-hour job of ridding the bike of the parasite alarm system.
Still not done, but getting there.
DSC04230.jpg
 
Side note, here's a Honda VF1000F Interceptor I'm working on for a gentleman. Every cam lobe and follower are junk. I found a cherry set on ebay from a V65 Sabre and am installing them.
I'm attempting to do the front cams while the engine is in the bike. Unfortunately, I'll have to remove the engine to do the rear, as the follower shafts pull out of the sides of the head, right into the frame tubes. Thanks, Honda. lol. DSC04231.jpg
 
No doubt, you're not alone, most folks like black bikes, especially the Harley guys. I'm the one almost alone as I'm one of the few that don't like black bikes. I prefer bright, happy, fast, colors over the dank, gloomy, sad, slower colors every time. The only GS1100E's that came in silver were the 1980 models that came in silver (Stardust Silver Metallic) but none of the 2nd gen GS1100E's were silver. I've heard many call your "82" color silver, but remember well in 1982 Suzuki called it Champagne. Since I've seen it called "Cool Beige Metallic", Copper Gold Metallic, and Champagne. Champagne is what I remember from back in "82" when us locals were trying to describe that new odd color. Very obvious in your picture, the difference in the silver wheels and swing arm and the beige or gold bodywork. tint in the
 
rphillips said:
No doubt, you're not alone, most folks like black bikes, especially the Harley guys. I'm the one almost alone as I'm one of the few that don't like black bikes. I prefer bright, happy, fast, colors over the dank, gloomy, sad, slower colors every time. The only GS1100E's that came in silver were the 1980 models that came in silver (Stardust Silver Metallic) but none of the 2nd gen GS1100E's were silver. I've heard many call your "82" color silver, but remember well in 1982 Suzuki called it Champagne. Since I've seen it called "Cool Beige Metallic", Copper Gold Metallic, and Champagne. Champagne is what I remember from back in "82" when us locals were trying to describe that new odd color. Very obvious in your picture, the difference in the silver wheels and swing arm and the beige or gold bodywork. tint in the
Click to expand...

I'm actually with you on the colors. I prefer bright, loud colors myself. Black, white, gray, silver I'm not a huge fan of. Really, the only reason I like the black bike better than the silv...ahem..Champagne...bike, is the red accents and gold GS1100 emblems. Looks good against the black. :)
 
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I currently have the black '81 up for sale here locally for $500 as a parts bike.
Since the '82s are pretty rough and not factory original, what do you guys think about painting the engine black? I will be going with the factory champagne color, or as close to it as possible.
I've always liked a black engine with aluminum accents.
 
Almost forever I'd thought Suzuki should have put the Champagne paint on the "83", with all that black stuff, eng., exhaust, handlebars, starter cover, shocks, mirrors, thought the contrast would be good. No, I finally saw one, and not near as nice looking as I'd thought it would be. Now thinking probably the "82" Maroon or the "83" Fire Eng. Red would look better with all that Black stuff from "83".... Do realize, just another opinion. There's probably somebody out there that has the opinion that hideous dank dark Blue with all that black looks good,.. Heck, on mine I can't tell where the body stops and the eng., exhaust, and all that other black stuff start, just looks like one big blob of darkness.
 
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