1983 GS1100es Revival

[twerth]

I recently purchased a fair to nice ES, and I'm working to make it road ready. It runs great and it looks good from 30 feet, but the more I dig in, the more the neglect by POs becomes evident. Top of the list is a new gauge cluster, new rear tire, handle bars and some electrical gremlins. Also, the "plush" seat will eventually need to be recovered.

My gauges are totaled, and it turns out that this is a fairly rare model. I haven't been able to find the correct clocks, so I'll probably have to make something else work. One issue I'm running into is the turn signal indicator. My stock dash has two indicator lights, but the one I'm planning to use only has one. I'm assuming I'll need to install diodes in the wires running to the indicator light so both signals don't flash, but I'm afraid it's not that simple. Has anyone had experience with this? Any tips, tricks or wiring diagrams?

Also, my muffler has been cored and is EXTREMELY LOUD. It's an aftermarket 4-1 system, and there's no manufacturer information on it. Hoping someone can point me to a slip-on that might work. FYI it needs to have a 2-1/2" inlet.

My original intent was to keep the factory paint, but one side cover has been rattle canned, and there are a lot of broken tabs on the plastic parts. I think by the time I'm done, I'll need to completely repaint. I won't be able to match the factory white/blue (I'm not that good), but I've seen some silver bikes with red decals that look nice. May go that direction, but that's a ways down the road.

It looks like I can only attach one pic per post, so I'll start with this.

 

[dorkburger]

Good luck. 1100e panel tabs are notorious for breaking off and threads can be found here to repair them.
Also, if the exhaust is salvageable, a baffle can be fabricated, if you have access to a welder. I built one many years ago for a 1100e I owned.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ES-Picture-Thread&highlight=Es+picture+thread

Some paint info in this thread. If the 83es blue is the same as 84, there is a GM rattle can color that is a near perfect match.

 

[Guest]

My gauges are totaled, and it turns out that this is a fairly rare model. I haven't been able to find the correct clocks, so I'll probably have to make something else work.

I added a Trailtech Vapor to my 82 1100E and it works well after some teething troubles to get it sorted. It is pretty small and can be mounted almost anywhere to give you functional gauges. If you buy the dashboard surround piece it carries idiot lights and turn signals as well.

Also, my muffler has been cored and is EXTREMELY LOUD. It's an aftermarket 4-1 system, and there's no manufacturer information on it. Hoping someone can point me to a slip-on that might work. FYI it needs to have a 2-1/2" inlet.

If everything is in good shape then a baffle can be made to suit. Your system looks a lot like the Kerker 4-1 megaphone system, but the muffler portion looks a bit different. I have a Kerker canister 4-1 on my 1100E and it also uses a 2.5" tail pipe out of the collector. Most canisters/slip ons now use a 2" tail pipe, so you may have to get a muffler shop to make up an adapter to step down from 2.5" to 2".

That seat really is something, isn't it? I wonder what the bike did to p!ss off a PO that badly.


Mark

 

[Guest]

I used the wiring from my 82 in a set of 85 1150 clocks ...... tapped a wire from the coils to wire the tacho

probably the closest you'll get to ES

 

[glib]

My original intent was to keep the factory paint, but one side cover has been rattle canned, and there are a lot of broken tabs on the plastic parts. I think by the time I'm done, I'll need to completely repaint. I won't be able to match the factory white/blue (I'm not that good), but I've seen some silver bikes with red decals that look nice. May go that direction, but that's a ways down the road.

Diablo cycle has the decal kit to keep it original for $125.
http://www.diablocycle.com/GS1100ES-1983-White-and-Blue-Complete-Decal-Set-SGS-83-1100ES-CS.html

I have had my ES "scanned" so I can provide the formula for the white color. I can go back for the blue and provide it too.

The tabs are easy to repair with ABS glue just like you use for ABS pipe. You can reinforce with pieces or shavings of ABS to improve the strength.

Ive seen a few decent color change paint jobs on ES's but nothing improving on the original for me.

 

[Sandy]

You could try something like this from the ' 83 750. The only difference as far as I can figure out is the gear indicator. Probably easier to make it fit if in fact it's not a direct bolt on.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/951-1983-Su...ash=item5b3c74692a:g:978AAOSwxxVZhM7g&vxp=mtr

 

[Guest]

if you are not worried about a stock look on the gauges, I wired a cluster from a 90's era gixxer into my es, has a mech speedo and electronic tach, and looks like it belongs on the bike. Fabbed a bracket and massaged the wiring, but pretty easy overall.

 

[twerth]

Thanks for all the input fellas. Lots of good ideas. I haven't made a lot of progress over the last week other than pulling the tank and plastics off and doing a little cleaning. I've also got some parts ordered, one being a set of gauges (see pic below). These are off an 07 Kawasaki EX250 and seem to have pretty much everything I need. I'll lose my my gear indicator and oil temperature gauge, but most of the other idiot lights are there. It has a mechanical speedo and electronic tach just like my stock clocks, so it should just be a matter of getting the wiring sorted out. The major issue I have is that these say "Kawasaki" on the face of the fuel gauge. Ouch! Otherwise, it's a pretty nice and compact package.

Concerning my exhaust, I have a pair of baffles out of some Reinhardts (sp?) from my neighbor's Electra Glide. I can probably fab something up to make one of those fit, but my can is not in very good shape. I'll keep looking form something I can replace it with, but that might have to be plan B.

I ordered a seat cover off eBay, so I'll be taking care of that in the near future. The existing cover truly looks like they used LaZboy fabric. Ugly as hell and surely not water proof, but it is in pretty good shape. If anyone wants/likes it....

Still kicking around ideas for the paint scheme. Going back original is tempting, but that's probably the most expensive option. I used to work in a body shop, so I have tools and just barely enough skill to paint a bike. I'll post pics of some of my past projects a little later.

Thanks again!

 

[twerth]

Here's a shot of a KZ650 I did about a year ago. I probably have paint left over, so using these colors would really help my budget.

 

[twerth]

And here's a Virgo 920 from a couple of years ago. Turned out really sweet. I should have kept this one.

 

[twerth]

You could try something like this from the ' 83 750. The only difference as far as I can figure out is the gear indicator. Probably easier to make it fit if in fact it's not a direct bolt on.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/951-1983-Su...ash=item5b3c74692a:g:978AAOSwxxVZhM7g&vxp=mtr

Dang! If I can find one of those with a MPH speedometer, I may go ahead and snatch it up!

 

[Sandy]

Dang! If I can find one of those with a MPH speedometer, I may go ahead and snatch it up!

Yeah, didn't notice the kph. '83 - '86 700/750 had the same gauges so keep looking and something will come up.

 

[glib]

Still kicking around ideas for the paint scheme. Going back original is tempting, but that's probably the most expensive option. I used to work in a body shop, so I have tools and just barely enough skill to paint a bike. I'll post pics of some of my past projects a little later.

Thanks again!

Yea nah, you're skills are just fine. If you are going to do style mods then I can see changing the color scheme. I just haven't seen anyone take the two-tone anywhere better than the original. And the single color jobs seem to be missing something due to the lines of the bike.

 

[limeex2]

There are baffles to be found, just need a good long winter's night on the internet. Or try looking here...http://www.coneeng.com/

 

[twerth]

There's been a lot of travel for work lately, but I have been able to make a little progress. I've been able to work through most of the wiring issues other than installation of a different gauge cluster, but I should have that done by this weekend. I had to go with a different cluster (1984 GPZ750) due to interference with the speedometer cable and the fairing bracket. The GPZ unit is mounted up and fits nicely. No conflicts anywhere, lock to lock. It also looks more period correct than the one I was going to use.

The engine has been thoroughly cleaned and touched up (looks a ton better). I got a universal "MotoGP" style slip-on from eBay, complete with various baffle options. I'm running into some difficulty sourcing the right reducers and couplers to make it fit, but with a little luck that will be done this weekend as well. The bent drag bar has been replaced with a new superbike bend bar with new grips. There's a new rear tire leaning against the wall, but I'll probably wait until I get it back on the road to switch it out. And last but not least, I got rid of the La-Z-Boy seat cover and replaced it with "marine grade" vinyl (also looks a ton better).

The pic below is from about a week ago, so not completely current, but is proof that I'm actually doing something.

 

[twerth]

A couple of pics of the gauges installed and the recovered seat.

 

[twerth]

One photo per post.

 

[twerth]

And finally, the seat.

 

[bull958]

Those gauges look sweet in there. Did you get the voltmeter to work as well?

 

[twerth]

Yup, the volt meter works. Thanks for the comp.

For some reason, the back-lights don't work (maybe burned out bulbs), so I've got a little work to do there. Also, I haven't started it up yet, so I can't confirm the tach works. Otherwise everything seems to be good.