1983 GS1100E Cheap easy mods thread

[mriddle]

My 1983 GS1100E is mostly stock (used to be Jethro's) but the previous owner(s) have done some nice mods ..

Pingle fuel tap
1150 oil cooler
Paragon braided brake (6 line kit) lines
Dyna coils
Ricks stator and r/r
Sargent saddle cover
AGM battery
MDI rear shocks
Progressive fork springs
Custom rear sport luggage rack with removable back rest

Cruising Ebay .. I saw a set of 1150 carbs going cheap so I jumped.

Good idea ?

Any other ideas that are low budget but can be felt in the seat of the pants ?

 

[rapidray]

The 1150 carbs will be a good addition but 33 round slide or 36 flat slide smoothbores would make even more power & your existing pods will still work on any of the carbs I listed. Also, a set of Cam Motion G-4 cams will make good power too. Ray.

 

[mriddle]

Thanks Ray ..

Still running stock airbox and paper filter right now ..

Have a K&N replacement filter for it next oil change.

Also have some K&N pods new in box thinking about putting on with a little Yosh canister just for a change (no the stock black chrome pipes will never be for sale)

My riding ability is still very novice .. so I want to increment up slowy.

My budget is very small too

The 1150 carbs will be a good addition but 33 round slide or 36 flat slide smoothbores would make even more power & your existing pods will still work on any of the carbs I listed. Also, a set of Cam Motion G-4 cams will make good power too. Ray.

 

[crag antler]

Watch sticking that 4 into 1 on Mike.
I remember Jethro went back to the stock pipes after many times messing with the jetting when he ran pods and 4 into 1.

 

[mriddle]

I remember him telling me that too .. thanks.

I just want to get it out of my system .. but I will keep the stock carbs and pipes (as Jethro sold them to me) for a fallback.

Watch sticking that 4 into 1 on Mike.
I remember Jethro went back to the stock pipes after many times messing with the jetting when he ran pods and 4 into 1.

 

[Tarbash 27]

Sweet bike, I would just leave it alone.

 

[Mark M]

Any other ideas that are low budget but can be felt in the seat of the pants ?

1) Remove the anti-dive units from the brake circuit. Free and your forks instantly work better under braking.

2) Racetech cartridge emulators for the forks. IMO, they are the single greatest thing you can add to make the damper rod fork work well. Great value for the money. They will work fine with your PS springs.

3) Progressive Suspension shocks. I would recommend higher end ones, but are keeping to a budget and the PS ones are the best value going.

4) Pods and 4-1 pipe. Yes, you will have to rejet. They also completely alter the character of the bike, making it feel much sharper and sportier. More noise (both intake and exhaust) and slightly lower mileage, but a lot more fun in the end...

5) New rubber if the current tires are getting worn.

Since you say you are a novice rider, I would do all the handling things first, then the engine work. The bike already has decent power but better handling is always appreciated at any speed.

Mark

 

[mriddle]

Thanks Mark .. I have replaced tires once already and have a fresh set in the shed waiting for installation.

The noise won't bother me .. I can always go back.

My anti-dive hose started leaking recently so I have considered that mod.

Racetech is on the list too.

1) Remove the anti-dive units from the brake circuit. Free and your forks instantly work better under braking.

2) Racetech cartridge emulators for the forks. IMO, they are the single greatest thing you can add to make the damper rod fork work well. Great value for the money. They will work fine with your PS springs.

3) Progressive Suspension shocks. I would recommend higher end ones, but are keeping to a budget and the PS ones are the best value going.

4) Pods and 4-1 pipe. Yes, you will have to rejet. They also completely alter the character of the bike, making it feel much sharper and sportier. More noise (both intake and exhaust) and slightly lower mileage, but a lot more fun in the end...

5) New rubber if the current tires are getting worn.

Since you say you are a novice rider, I would do all the handling things first, then the engine work. The bike already has decent power but better handling is always appreciated at any speed.

Mark

 

[mriddle]

Thanks .. I won't do anything that is not reversible.

Sweet bike, I would just leave it alone.

 

[jwhelan65]

your bike

your bike

Awesome machine!! In my opinion one of the nicest looking GS's ever made. I would like to upgrade to the 1150 oil cooler on my 82, do you have any pics you could share....rebuilding the suspension on mine, but I sure do like the stocker look..takes me back to my high school days when I used to drool over these things!!

Great thread by the way

joe

 

[mriddle]

I agree .. one of the best examples of Suzuki .. love my 1100

When I was fortunate enough to get this bike from Jethro, it already had the 1150 oil cooler on it. .

I would be happy to snap some pics if you like, but it is a pretty simple upgrade from what I understand ..

 

[saffa]

those 4 into 1 pipes are rubbish . it wouldnt look good on there .....i think you should allow me to take it off your hands for nothing

 

[dpep]

Good thread, Mike. I have an 83 1100E that I am taking in the opposite direction--back to stock except for a luggage rack and probably a plexifaring for touring. I picked up a airbox on e-bay. It already has stock 4 into 2. Suspension is the one place I will need to go aftermarket.

I am going for low/mid range and gas mileage. My drag racing aspirations are many years gone now.

 

[Guest]

1150 cams will drop right in and be an improvement. Or if you get lucky on ebay you could go with an 1150 head...bigger intake valves. That with the cams and a jet kit would really wake her up.

 

[mriddle]

Bruce .. forgive my 2nd grade questions .. but you are thinking either 1150 cams in my engine as it is, with the 1150 carbs ..

or

1150 head, cams and carbs ?

1150 cams will drop right in and be an improvement. Or if you get lucky on ebay you could go with an 1150 head...bigger intake valves. That with the cams and a jet kit would really wake her up.

 

[mriddle]

I don't expect to ever drag race either ..

Just looking to tap into any hidden reserves with breaking mine

I will maintain complete reversiblity.

Looking forward to seeing yours done Don.

I want better shocks for now ... maybe more modern wheels and suspension some day.

Good thread, Mike. I have an 83 1100E that I am taking in the opposite direction--back to stock except for a luggage rack and probably a plexifaring for touring. I picked up a airbox on e-bay. It already has stock 4 into 2. Suspension is the one place I will need to go aftermarket.

I am going for low/mid range and gas mileage. My drag racing aspirations are many years gone now.

 

[Guest]

Bruce .. forgive my 2nd grade questions .. but you are thinking either 1150 cams in my engine as it is, with the 1150 carbs ..

or

1150 head, cams and carbs ?

any of the above! The cams will drop right in by themselves, but so will the 1150 head. Combine all three (head, cams, and jetted carbs), degree the cams, and you have just tapped into a bunch more power.

 

[mriddle]

Sounds interesting .. back to ebay

any of the above! The cams will drop right in by themselves, but so will the 1150 head. Combine all three (head, cams, and jetted carbs), degree the cams, and you have just tapped into a bunch more power.

 

[rapidray]

You guys all need to remember that the 1150 exhaust cam does NOT have a tach drive gear on it & you will lose your 1100 cable drive tach with an 1150 exhaust cam. Same goes for an 1150 head on an 1100 as the 1150 valve cover has no provision for a tach drive on it. Ray.

 

[Guest]

Did you already buy the carbs? Those will bolt on but I'm not sure about the airbox. I jetted a set for Posplayr on his 83 with .340 Web Cams and it runs great. You'll need to get a Dynojet stage 3 kit and I'll help you set it up with the pods. You'll like the power difference. Is the slip on a 4-1 or a dual with more air flow.