• Required reading for all forum users!!!

    Welcome!
    Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.

    A note to new registrants...
    All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.

    A Special Note about Email accounts!
    DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.

    A note to old forum members...
    I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.

    Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.

    Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...

  • Returning Visitors

    If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.

    If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.

Forks, bearings and brakes - 1100 front on a 750

P

portdave

Forum Mentor
Past Site Supporter
First off I would like to thanks all of you for your sharing of information. Especially posplayr and Tarbash 27 recently. I have had this bike for about 6 months and I have worked on it a lot and ridden it alot. Enjoying both.

I have done alot of reading and searching before I ask these questions.

Front suspension

I am now tearing into the forks. I have had a slight wobble at all speeds but especially on curves with some bumps like a RR track.

The PO put a front end from an 83 1100. (ED as best as I can tell from searching the microfiche)

I got the forks all apart finally and I am in the process of cleaning them etc. Got some progressive springs to put in. I thought they were progressive in there but this model had progressive wound springs from the factory. The PS springs are thicker and wound differently.

My main questions are as follows:

I felt some notchiness on the head so I proceeded to take that apart as well. The head bearings were the original type with ball bearings in a tray. I thought it was supposed to be tapered roller bearings? I already knocked out the races with a big RR spike.

It also looks like the PO had the underneath part of the upper triple tree machined larger to accept the collar on the adjuster. Not sure what this adjuster is from as again from the microfiche it looks like it should be a flat piece.

I need to order the stem bearings. Should I just get the tapered set from all bearings for the 83? What other mod will I have to do?

I want to do this right so I am open to suggestions. Another set of triples?

Brakes

I was going to replace the brake pads (round type) but noticed some corrosion near the piston. I have the extra set of calipers that have the square pads. I think these were from the 1100. Any problem with using them instead? Anyone need any EBC round pads?

One last question - What is better about the 1100 front end as opposed to using another 37mm type setup from an 850 or something else. It seems like the extra things like anti-dive and air are disabled once you put progressive spings in.

Thanks for the thoughts and sorry so long.....

David
 
Sq pads & round pads used different sized disks. The 850 forks are longer than the 750 and ? 1100 I have heard are shorter
I would get tripple replacement tree ass. that has roller brgs & fitment for dual disks. Then contact www.allballsracing.com to get the correct type brgs to convert your 750 to the tapered brgs
 
Ok, if your lower stem was machined so the lower part where the bearing sits on, is the same size as the rest, use tapered roller bearings for a GS750. If your lower stem is not machined, like mine. The lower part where the bearing sits is thicker than the rest of the stem. I got a special tapered roller bearing with a bigger inner diameter but same sized outer diameter to fitmy gs750. This might sound confusing. Basically, the gs1100 stock lower tapered bearing is mucher bigger than a gs750 stock lower taper bearing and will not fit.
 
SqDancerLynn1 said:
Sq pads & round pads used different sized disks. The 850 forks are longer than the 750 and ? 1100 I have heard are shorter
I would get tripple replacement tree ass. that has roller brgs & fitment for dual disks. Then contact www.allballsracing.com to get the correct type brgs to convert your 750 to the tapered brgs
Click to expand...

Thanks.

I have the dual disk already. My bike is a 750E. I already have put on some drilled rotors. I guess I will have to see if the other calipers work with what I have.

I will get in touch with all balls. I looked up the parts already but I may have to take some measurements. I saw the modification on their website but I wasnt' sure what I needed to do since I had triples on their from the 83 already with the larger opening for the 37 mm.

Kinda feel like I am playing detective.....
 
portdave said:
Thanks.

I have the dual disk already. My bike is a 750E. I already have put on some drilled rotors. I guess I will have to see if the other calipers work with what I have.

I will get in touch with all balls. I looked up the parts already but I may have to take some measurements. I saw the modification on their website but I wasnt' sure what I needed to do since I had triples on their from the 83 already with the larger opening for the 37 mm.

Kinda feel like I am playing detective.....
Click to expand...

I put those newer style calipers on the older GSes whenever I can find them, they stop better and squeal less, they fit the same.
I'll take the round pads if you still have them, I have one GS that still has the round type calipers.
 
Tarbash 27 said:
Ok, if your lower stem was machined so the lower part where the bearing sits on, is the same size as the rest, use tapered roller bearings for a GS750. If your lower stem is not machined, like mine. The lower part where the bearing sits is thicker than the rest of the stem. I got a special tapered roller bearing with a bigger inner diameter but same sized outer diameter to fitmy gs750. This might sound confusing. Basically, the gs1100 stock lower tapered bearing is mucher bigger than a gs750 stock lower taper bearing and will not fit.
Click to expand...

Matt,

I am a little confused with the whole thing. It looks like the lower part of the stem used to be a little larger. I can feel a slight ridge on the lower inch or so. Up near the top of the stem near the threads it is smaller for about 2 inches.

I have a local guy that has lots of parts. I may try and look at another triple and compare. Just not sure why the one I had didn't have tapered bearing on there with the 1100 front end already installed.

Are the races the same?

I may just have to call them and see...

Thanks again.

David
 
tkent02 said:
I put those newer style calipers on the older GSes whenever I can find them, they stop better and squeal less, they fit the same.
I'll take the round pads if you still have them, I have one GS that still has the round type calipers.
Click to expand...

Thanks. That helps alot. I will get some new square pads and then I will be in touch. You can email me your info. davidportanova at hotmail dot com

I got them from Z1. I will be calling them probably Monday.

I need to get the head bearings figured out first.
 
Are you running a gs1100e lower triple clamp in the first place? Do you have a picture of it?
 
Tarbash 27 said:
Are you running a gs1100e lower triple clamp in the first place? Do you have a picture of it?
Click to expand...

I think so....

It has the opening for the larger tubes. I have a leftover upper triple from the PO and that has a smaller opening.

I am working on the pics. I never tried to post pics here. I just signed up with photobucket and I am uploading as we speak.

I just sent you an email. photobucket is taking awhile.....


David
 
Last edited:
Pics of stem and triples etc.

Pics of stem and triples etc.

Here is one of the underneath of the upper triple tree.
suzukisteeringstem002.jpg


Here is one of the lower triple and stem with the races and bearing cup all slid down on the stem except for the very top one.
suzukisteeringstem007.jpg



Forks in progress

suzukisteeringstem004.jpg

Another shot of tree
suzukisteeringstem009.jpg




Thanks.
 
Last edited:
another pic

another pic

Tree with the races and bearing cups and adjuster with collar. Fits in machined upper.

suzukisteeringstem008.jpg

Thanks so much.
David
 
Your upper clamp comes that way, it may look machined but that upper lock nut is suppose to fit there, thats how it comes. Your lower stem has been machined. The lower inch should have been fatter for the stock gs1100e bearing. Since its machined down, a gs750 tapered roller bearing kit will fit just fine.
 
Thanks Matt. I will get a set ordered from all balls. I really appreciate your time and help. Merry Christmas.

David
 
FYI. Tighten that big bearing nut before you tighten the fork clamp bolts on the tree. That may be obvious to you but I made the mistake of trying to adjust that nut without loosening the fork pinch bolts. That dont work...:o
 
bonanzadave said:
FYI. Tighten that big bearing nut before you tighten the fork clamp bolts on the tree. That may be obvious to you but I made the mistake of trying to adjust that nut without loosening the fork pinch bolts. That dont work...:o
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reminder. Always nice to have people looking out for you.;)

I hope to be able to ride this again before the year is out......Just depends on the parts.
 
Tarbash 27 said:
The lower inch should have been fatter for the stock gs1100e bearing. Since its machined down, a gs750 tapered roller bearing kit will fit just fine.
Click to expand...

Its tough to tell but does his lower stem look wider at the bottom ?

Heres mine.....

Steeringstem.jpg
 
bonanzadave said:
Its tough to tell but does his lower stem look wider at the bottom ?
Click to expand...

Dave,

Does look like yours is a little wider (see my pics in above threads) but I am gonna go by my friends and borrow his calipers.

I just called allballs. The guy I spoke to was really great. He gave me a few options and part numbers but said I could call back with the measurements of the stem at the top and at the bottom and he would get me what I need.

Thanks for your help.....
 
portdave said:
(see my pics in above threads)
Click to expand...

Thats what I was looking at and the more I look at it the straighter it gets. Its just hard to believe That someone machined that down. So does that mean you have a modified 1100E stem with the 750 bearings on it ? Those caliper measurements will be valuable and its great someone at Allballs can help you. I would measure the frame neck just for fun in case the guy asks.

I wanted to try their fork seals but it dont look like they have them for 1100s
 
bonanzadave said:
Thats what I was looking at and the more I look at it the straighter it gets. Its just hard to believe That someone machined that down. So does that mean you have a modified 1100E stem with the 750 bearings on it ? Those caliper measurements will be valuable and its great someone at Allballs can help you. I would measure the frame neck just for fun in case the guy asks.

I wanted to try their fork seals but it dont look like they have them for 1100s
Click to expand...

Got the kids to bed and went out and used the caliper.

Bottom of stem is 26.9 mm
Top of stem above shoulder is 24.9 mm
Opening for the races on the head is 47.9 mm
From shoulder on stem to top of stem is 48 mm
Total height of stem is 216 mm


So I am going to order the kit for the 750 as Matt said. The only thing I not sure about is the height. Since the ball bearings that were in there are not as high as the tapered bearings that I will be getting. Not sure how this will effect the stacking of everything. We will see.....:)
 
update

update

bonanzadave said:
I wanted to try their fork seals but it dont look like they have them for 1100s
Click to expand...

Just got off the phone with them. They are so helpful. I am ordering the GS750 kit. They don't have the fork seal kit for the GS1100. He said they just never did a die for it. It probably has a different OD then some of the other 37mm forks.

I will check with Z1 or get it from Suzuki. I just don't want to wait too long. My seals are okay but while I have it all apart I will replace it.

Thanks again.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top