Anyone know any issues with an 1150 front/rear swap onto a 400/450?

[donimo]

I can have shock mounts welded on by a coworker who is building an aluminum boat (I assume the swing is aluminum?)

I am doing this for 3 reasons:

1)better performing components overall (brakes/forks etc)

2)possible weight savings (alum swing minus monoshock bits)

3)looks (bigger rubber and dual brakes etc)

I am pretty sure the front should just bolt up, and I can find (somewhere) some adapters to use a bar instead of clip ons. The rear will be harder due to the disc/drum swap, but I assume it can be done

Am I crazy? Is it worth the effor for the reasons listed?

 

[Nessism]

You will be adding a LOT of weight with this mod so I'd pass.

 

[donimo]

oh, darn...

is it the forks?

I would love to get an alum swing and dual disc front setup (preferably with spoke rims) I will just keep slogging through the internets I guess.

 

[Nessism]

Why do you want all the weight of dual discs? A sub 400 lbs bike with 35 hp doesn't need killer brakes, and the extra weight will slow you down, not the other way around.

How about a braided stainless brake line and a more modern dual piston caliper? A mod like that will increase brake power without adding weight. For the rear you can try to fit some sort of aluminum swingarm but I doubt you will save any weight.

Good luck

 

[donimo]

Fine, stupid knowledge and wisdom win again...

I was just looking for ways to play with my bike, but upgrades that slow it down are silly.

The dual brakes was for looks mostly (it just seems to look "wrong" on the side with no brake).

I will see how the spoke wheel hunt goes which may help with this.

And I think it is 44hp, ha.

consider this post closed, thanks!

 

[hampshirehog]

consider this post closed, thanks!

Don't do that - keep it going. We all think you're mad for trying to upgrade a 400 when it would be cheaper to just buy a bigger bike but at the same time it's great. I've chucked loads of effort into small bikes over the years so I'm with you all the way on this one.

The alloy swinger will save you a bit of weight plus it's weight where you want to lose it. Definitely worth pursuing. I can't advise what would fit as I don't know the 400 well but I popped an alloy swinger off an unknown Kawasaki in one of my 550s so that might be an are worth looking at.

Your stock alloys are pretty light by the way. The first generation alloys for GSs were heavier than spoked but I'd guess yours are lighter.

 

[donimo]

Don't do that - keep it going. We all think you're mad for trying to upgrade a 400 when it would be cheaper to just buy a bigger bike but at the same time it's great. I've chucked loads of effort into small bikes over the years so I'm with you all the way on this one.

The alloy swinger will save you a bit of weight plus it's weight where you want to lose it. Definitely worth pursuing. I can't advise what would fit as I don't know the 400 well but I popped an alloy swinger off an unknown Kawasaki in one of my 550s so that might be an are worth looking at.

Your stock alloys are pretty light by the way. The first generation alloys for GSs were heavier than spoked but I'd guess yours are lighter.

Well, THIS post can close, doesn't mean I won't start another one ha ha.

I really don't like th look of my rims though, light or not, remind me too much of the ucky ones on similar year yamahas the "swirly" spokes. I like the ones on the 1150es. And I LOVE the way supermoto spoked 17"s look with the black rim and chrome spokes.

Are there any BIG single rotors and calipers I can use? I want me some bling dagnabbit!

And it isn't cheaper in the long run for me to go bigger, above 400cc is another $250 a year in just basic pink slip insurance, above 750cc is 500 more. My wife only lets me ride because a 400cc is cheaper than insuring a car. Call me whipped, we all know who rules the roost.

 

[gearhead13]

I have some 1100/750 wheels, brake parts along with other stuff if you are interested. Also set of 750 forks with dual calipers etc. LMK

 

[Billy Ricks]

You could always pull one rotor and caliper off the new stuff if you really want to do it. A fork off of an '88 GSXR750 with wheels to go with would work nice. The short length of the '88 fork should be a nice match for your bike. Being short would save a little weight. GSX600F parts would be a good match too.

 

[GregT]

If you can find them at the right price, GS500 wheels should be an easy swap - and I think a big GSXR floating disc bolts on which would work well with a 4 piston caliper.
The standard steel swingarm is actually lighter than any of the 750/1100 alloy arms.

Greg T

 

[donimo]

so say I could find the 1150 stuff for cheaper than I could get anything else for. Totally not worth it?

How much more weight are we talking? 10lbs, 20?

I would be gaining bigger forks, dual (and better) front brakes and a rear disc instead of drum. Also a greater choice/availibility of tires (18's are hard to find).

I would be adding weight is the bad part.

 

[donimo]

I assume welding shock mounts and getting the swing arm to fit isn't all of it?

Will the chain line up? How do you move the front sprocket, spacers I guess eh?

If anyone has a guess on the weight difference between a 450 front end and an 1150 front end it would help me decide, Don't want to take too long and miss out.

If I can't use it is this stuff easy to sell or am I stuck with it?

 

[Billy Ricks]

Take a look at newer GSF600, GS500, and SV650 components. Less weight gain, newer components, and plenty of them around for parts. You don't need the long forks off an 1150. Check out this thread. http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=142757
These mods would work well on your bike. A 3.5" wheel on the rear with a 140/70 radial might even fit your swingarm.

 

[donimo]

ok well, none of those parts are anywhere around me for less than 5-800 bucks, but I will just hold off and do cheaper ideas I think.

I may have found some spoke rims and may just go that route and just buy a different bike later, thanks

Don