What the "L" means

[Steve]

Yep, I didn't really mention that, but there's one tooth difference in the 850G vs 850GL fifth gear, so they end up about the same RPM/MPH-wise and performance-wise.

Now that I think about it, I don't know whether the 1000G/GL and 1100G/GL have the same difference. I guess if anyone cares deeply enough, (I sure don't) they can go trawling through the fiches to find out.

Some time ago, I saw a chart posted here that showed all the shafty ratios, and I saved it.
It has one column that shows engine RPM at 70 MPH.

The '80 850L and 1000L had 17" rear wheel, so there was no difference in speed.

'79-'82 850G = 5021 RPM
'81-'82 850GL = 5016 RPM

'80-'81 1000G = 4449 RPM
'81 1000GL = 4445 RPM

The '82 1100G got the taller gear that was on the L, which dropped the RPM to 4273.
Due to its smaller rear wheel, the 1100GL remained at the previous 4445 RPM.

The '83 1100GK and 1100GL got a taller final drive which lowered RPM to 4186.

Very subtle differences through the years, but most are compatible.

.

[GSXR7ED]

Oh, Steve...the technical things you read to know. That’s why working on hospital equipment is the right job for you.

Ed

****

[Steve]

It took a while (many, many different jobs) before I found my niche, but I like it.

.

[Wingsconsin]

To L or not to L -- That is the question...

because you won't need to buy anything after you've found the perfect bike? I understand.

I love the L. Only thing I don't like about the L is the teeny tank. Seriously. A hundred miles is about my max, and even then I get nervous around eighty miles.

I love my L bars. People always say the thing about wrist angle, but it fits me like a glove, I swear. I might change the angle of the bars by an inch, but naw, I like the bars.

The seat is low, and my legs do get a little restless. But with a small tank, that's okay

Ls are also full of chrome. And they don't have that little storage trunk at the taillight like the Es.

Yes - Yes - Yes

My L is a great little bike.
The handlebars are fine for me- I DID adjust them to an angle I like -
But they are adjustable -
I changed the seat to a custom - it makes me a little taller (higher seat) and that stretches my legs out a bit.

The ONLY thing is the smallish tank -
Every 135 +/- miles I have to get fuel - that is annoying to me as my other bike is a Goldwing with a range of 225 easy and I have seen 250 on a tank may times.

When I was on my trip last year (2500 miles in 6 days) I carried a 1 gallon tank in the side case -
I used it once because I was too lazy, wet, and tired to make another stop for fuel along the way to the motel
I just emptied it into the tank and kept going . Unless I was going out west I would not worry about it - fuel stops are plentiful

So -- I resto-modified the L out of the bike and it is a fun bike to commute with
And finding a good G model around here proved near impossible while I had my choice of several Ls

[thkbaron]

dang you get 135 out of your tank? That's impressive. I doubt I would even get 100

[Wingsconsin]

dang you get 135 out of your tank? That's impressive. I doubt I would even get 100

125 to 135 to REServe - then I start looking for fuel.
I get about 35 to 42 MPG at reasonable speeds (under 65)
At 75-80 that drops a lot and I go to reserve at around 100 miles.
At Reserve I put in about 3.5 gallons - and I think I have another .75 gallon of usable fuel left over--
I have seen 150 miles on a tank - but that is a lot easier to do when one is carrying an extra gallon in the side case

[eight]

If my pos ever runs I also have plenty of fuel stops here also. And I figure rotate the bars downward in the clamps if my wrists object. I think ideally I would want a bend halfway between low bars and L bars.

I'm guessing its best to stop rotating when the end of bar hits the tank in a turn..

[jsandidge]

In my case, the L stands for Love It! Of course, I did change the bars, added floorboards, and painted over some of the chrome.

[bobgroger]

Don't forget the '80 "L" was 16 valve and chain drive. Every bit as fast as the 1100e....

[Tom R]

The 19/16 tire sizes makes for more interesting handling at the track on the L’s....
though I think the original 17” tires had a lower profile than the 16”; so the overall diameter wasn’t that different.

[eight]

at the track on the L’s....

Wait whaaaat? You lost me with this part..

[oldGSfan]

Hmm. At least it's not an 'ED'.....

[Rob S.]

Hmm. At least it's not an 'ED'.....

??? A 1983 1100E is arguably the best of the early '80's air cooled Superbikes. My EZ is painted to look like an ED.

[oldGSfan]

Just a joke, this thread being 'what does the L mean', I saw the 'ED' on another thread and the abbreviation made me chuckle, being an old geezer.

??? A 1983 1100E is arguably the best of the early '80's air cooled Superbikes. My EZ is painted to look like an ED.

[Tom R]

Wait whaaaat? You lost me with this part..

Just because it’s an L doesn’t mean it’s exempt from track days. FF48555E-A663-4ED2-A195-D1556A138387.jpg