GS1000 front end conversion/upgrade options?

[John Kat]

It was when I had a 96 Bandit 600 for a parts bike laying around. And I had a wrecked GS 500 also . So it was just a matter of mix and match to see what would fit and what wouldn't. I like putting together stuff like this I call them "Mutts"

Great
Let's say it's "mutts for nuts"

 

[Fjbj40]

The only thing I would say is that angle for the mono shock requires a gusset for strengthing, oh, and maybe a few holes to give it that Swiss cheese lightening effect.

How thick is that angle, 1/4 inch?

Looks really good, is that swing arm the same 1988 GSXR as the front forks?

Lots of GREAT info in this thread, it should become a sticky.

Daryl

By design, I set the swingarm in the same position as stock with no load.
I have the possibility of raising the rear by simply adding some spacers but I haven't tried so far.
My rear shock is an Ohlins rated slightly lower than for the GSXR 1100 K.
The rear tire is a Michelin Pilot 3 160/60-18 but I believe it's a little too large for a 4" wheel.
I'm not totally satisfied with this setup because the fork is too soft compared to the rear.
I raised the oil to 15W in the fork but now it's too harsh...
I believe the recipe is to go with tougher springs ( .95kg/mm) and RaceTech emulators...More dollars to go!

I know what you are going to say about the next picture....

 

[John Kat]

The only thing I would say is that angle for the mono shock requires a gusset for strengthing, oh, and maybe a few holes to give it that Swiss cheese lightening effect.

How thick is that angle, 1/4 inch?

Looks really good, is that swing arm the same 1988 GSXR as the front forks?

Lots of GREAT info in this thread, it should become a sticky.

Daryl

I would have guessed this answer
When you realize the force needed to fold this sheet of 6 mm metal, it kind of reassures you
No, the swingarm is from a GSXR 1100 K ( 1989).
It's not an easy adaptation as it is too wide to fit right into a GS 1000 frame

 

[jwhelan65]

I would have guessed this answer
When you realize the force needed to fold this sheet of 6 mm metal, it kind of reassures you
No, the swingarm is from a GSXR 1100 K ( 1989).
It's not an easy adaptation as it is too wide to fit right into a GS 1000 frame

John,

Your bike looks well proportioned and maintains the GS integrity nicely, Nice work. Wondering if you can you shoot a pic of your rearsets and give me the run down?

 

[Fjbj40]

Yes, quite a bit off force to bend that for sure! I have bent quite a bit of metal, aluminum though as I am an aircraft mechanic. For me I would still gusset it as I over engineer everything

Some more detailed pics of the rear sets and descriptions would be greatly appreciated.

This thread could turn into "The Ultimate GS1000 Upgrade" thread .

Cheers,
Daryl

I would have guessed this answer
When you realize the force needed to fold this sheet of 6 mm metal, it kind of reassures you
No, the swingarm is from a GSXR 1100 K ( 1989).
It's not an easy adaptation as it is too wide to fit right into a GS 1000 frame

 

[posplayr]

Yes, quite a bit off force to bend that for sure! I have bent quite a bit of metal, aluminum though as I am an aircraft mechanic. For me I would still gusset it as I over engineer everything

Some more detailed pics of the rear sets and descriptions would be greatly appreciated.

This thread could turn into "The Ultimate GS1000 Upgrade" thread .

Cheers,
Daryl

While the design is relying heavily on the strength of the 90 degree, it is a rather clean and simple design in terms of providing both a monoshock upper support and swingarm pivot frame brace with very simple construction.

I drew in a flat partial gusset that maintains the openness of the shock mount but does relieve quite a bit of the stress on the 90 degree angle.

I drew in a small upper gusset that probably doesn't add much.

 

[posplayr]

By design, I set the swingarm in the same position as stock with no load.
I have the possibility of raising the rear by simply adding some spacers but I haven't tried so far.
My rear shock is an Ohlins rated slightly lower than for the GSXR 1100 K.
The rear tire is a Michelin Pilot 3 160/60-18 but I believe it's a little too large for a 4" wheel.
I'm not totally satisfied with this setup because the fork is too soft compared to the rear.
I raised the oil to 15W in the fork but now it's too harsh...
I believe the recipe is to go with tougher springs ( .95kg/mm) and RaceTech emulators...More dollars to go!

I know what you are going to say about the next picture....

Nice you allowed for some adjustment in ride height. The Ohlins is a nice shock; is it also 89 GSXR 1100?

I'm running a 170/60-18 Dunlop Road smart and it is wearing nicely on my 4.5x18" 3 spoke. I bought a conversion once which had a 160/60-18 road pilot on a 4x18" wheel and I did not like the way to wore. The Dunlop seems to maintain a much better profile.

I also have the 88 GSXR 1100 forks, with what I believe are progressive springs and the race tech emulators and 15W oil. Once they are setup , I have no complaints. I also have a stiff 1/2" or so aftermarket fork brace.

Make sure you drill the holes in the proper spots on the damper rods. The PO that I got my forks from had not done so correctly and so I had to re disassemble and redrill after a bit of hard ridding.

 

[John Kat]

John,

Your bike looks well proportioned and maintains the GS integrity nicely, Nice work. Wondering if you can you shoot a pic of your rearsets and give me the run down?

Jwhelan, I'm using GSXR 1100 K rearsets.
Here are a few pictures but as my bike is not here for the moment, I can't do better.
I would say that the position is very good if you run with clip-ons.
For normal type bars they could be moved forward a little?

I'll send other pictures from a racing Kat using the same HW

 

[Guest]

Quick

Quick

Just a quick note. The front end on the first picci is from a Honda. CBR900? Or a 600. Alot more trouble to put on a GS than the GSXR fronts.
G

 

[John Kat]

Here's another example of rearsets on a racing Kat ( not mine)

And here's how you get more clearance even with 18" wheels!

 

[John Kat]

Nice you allowed for some adjustment in ride height. The Ohlins is a nice shock; is it also 89 GSXR 1100?

I'm running a 170/60-18 Dunlop Road smart and it is wearing nicely on my 4.5x18" 3 spoke. I bought a conversion once which had a 160/60-18 road pilot on a 4x18" wheel and I did not like the way to wore. The Dunlop seems to maintain a much better profile.

I also have the 88 GSXR 1100 forks, with what I believe are progressive springs and the race tech emulators and 15W oil. Once they are setup , I have no complaints. I also have a stiff 1/2" or so aftermarket fork brace.

Make sure you drill the holes in the proper spots on the damper rods. The PO that I got my forks from had not done so correctly and so I had to re disassemble and redrill after a bit of hard ridding.

Yes, the Ohlins is for a GSXR 1100 K.
I'm an absolute fan of the Michelin Pilot Road 3's for radial tires.
This is the first tire that wears evenly especially on the front
I like to carry a lot of entry speed in the turns ( despite my age...) and after 3 thousand km on average the front tires go into a triangular shape making the steering very heavy
It is quite difficult to find a proper radial tire for 4*18 rear wheel.
I was thinking about an Avon Storm 2 Ultra ?
Have you tried these?
Thanks for the tip on the forks!

 

[Guest]

GSXR 89/43mm/745mm/RSU/17"

Is this for both the GSXR750 and the GSXR1100?
Thanks!

 

[John Kat]

Is this for both the GSXR750 and the GSXR1100?
Thanks!

I would believe so but I can't garantee that

 

[Guest]

Thanks John!

 

[Chuck78]

I have this pic and seem to recall someone saying it was some mid 2000's katana front end but not sure.

that is actually diamondj's bike in the photo, and he runs vtr1000f Honda Superhawk forks. 41mm RSU 775 mm length adjustable preload and rebound cartridge forks, 20mm axle. Honda CBR600F2 wheels I believe, and possibly triple. I must note that using a triple off of one of these bike either requires an extreme frame elevation change to steepen your rake, or slight steepening of rake in conjunction with 17 inch wheels. 19" wheel will not do well at all with minimal offset modern triples. Steering will be horribly heavy will not do well at all with minimal offset modern triples. just wanted to update the info, I realize this is an old thread, but very useful info that I found using the search function.

 

[Chuck78]

89-90 GSXR1100K 43mm adjustable cartridge forks

89-90 GSXR1100K 43mm adjustable cartridge forks

I inquired with Racetech about not seeing any Gold Valve kits on their site for these 745mm tall 43mm tube 310mm brake fully adjustable rebound/compression/preload cartridge forks that look very similar to the newer ZRX1100 Forks with the compression adjustment below the brake mounts:

Subject: 1989-90 Suzuki GSXR1100 forks

Do you offer any Race Tech gold valve fork kits for the 1989-90 Suzuki GSXR1100 forks? In your product search, it says "RT Only." does this mean that you do not have any kits available for purchase, but RaceTech can perform a revalve but requires sending the fork to RaceTech?

Thank you for inquiring. Yes these forks 43mm forks use 23mm Cartridges & should be sent to Race Tech for revlaving service. I just setup one of these for an AHRMA Vintage Road Racer & it required a lot of parts shuffling. We have valves that work well but require some modifications & use of extra parts not included in the kits that would make end user install a confusing & difficult tech support issue. The stock valving is very crude & the rebound valving should be addressed when using stiffer spring rates as OEM setup will be overwhelmed otherwise. The Race Tech rebound Gold valve that is used here requires a custom piston band be used for fitment into the cartridge.

Best option is to send forks into us at RT, our labor charge is very reasonable: http://racetech.com/ProductSearch/2/Suzuki/GSX-R1100/1989-90

Send in fork service is turn key as the completed forks are returned ready to install on the motorcycle. Typical shop turnaround time is 10 days, please use the attached form when sending the forks in for service. We will contact you with details & to confirm what you wish upon inspection of the forks.

Thank you for choosing Race Tech!

Matthew Wiley
Race Tech Suspension
951-279-6655 RT ext# 108
mwiley@racetech.com

these would be the 17 inch wheel forks that come after the models with anti-dive devices but before the models that were all upside down forks, 2 years only. They are identifiable by the lack of anti-dive mechanisms and the presence of a casting knob below the caliper mounts with a compression adjuster screw, and top rebound adjuster screw inside of the spring preload adjuster.

 

[limeex2]

I am trying a complete front end off a 95 Triumph Sprint that is a parts bike.43mm fork. 800mm length. Bolted right up. Needed top bearing & extra washer for lock nut. Using Bandit rear, but could use some help with set up. Trying to use 14.25" shock

 

[Chuck78]

Twin shock conversion to swinger? Or monoshock conversion to frame? 14.25" sounds awful long for a momo, so I assume 14.25" twin shocks with welded on Clevis mounts like another member or more have done on the forum?

 

[limeex2]

Twin shock style. Getting clevis and other hardware from suzuki_katana.com. In a recent post people recommended using 14.25" vs 13" stock. So having to weld on a clevis at this point I could mount it where required. There was 2 reasons I wanted to try a longer shock. First being, in the thread that the general consensus was that a 14.25 shock greatly improved handling. I have a set of freshly rebuilt ZRX1200 shocks that I could use and would only require a lower shock mount which can be done locally. I want a set of Bi-Tubo's for the ZRX and I need a set of shocks any way.