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GS850 Head interchangeability

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anonymous
  • Start date Start date
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Anonymous

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Can heads off different model GS850s be interchanged?

Before I go and strip the old head off I need to make sure the one I've acquired will fit and that there arent hidden surprises like mismatched oils channels etc.

I've a GS850GX and all I know about the head in question is that it takes 32mm CVs but I don't have a model/year number. I was pretty certain when I bought the thing that it would fit but now the doubts are beginning to set in.
 
The 79 head is the only one that will not interchange, the cam cover was also changed during the 82 year
 
Thanks Lynn, thats what I thought, but I always start to doubt myself once I've spent the cash!
 
Heads on 850

Heads on 850

I have a '80 GS850G can I swap the heads with another GS to get some more power? :roll:
 
NO The 80 model got the bigger intake ports so you are good their.
Maybe change to GS750/1000 carbs (34mm) 850 uses 32mm & GS1000
cams ??
 
1000 Cams?

1000 Cams?

I can drop in GS 1000 cams and get more hp?? What are the GS750 carbs bigger than the GS850? If I did the 34mm carbs and cams what kind of power increases we looking at? Will 16V heads fit on the 8v engine?
 
The 850 was built as a work horse, the 32 mm carbs used on the 850 give it more low end torque. The 750/1000 are more preformance orentied - bigger carbs for a better top end with some sacrifice in low end power. I'm not sure which cams, I think the one to change is the exhaust cam.
16 valve head will not fit
 
Got enough torque need more mid-high power band.

Got enough torque need more mid-high power band.

Even with middle of teh road compresion, loaded up with my 216 lbs. my girl 160 lbs. and full saddle bags and hard case on teh back my GS850G has enough low end grunt. Pulls like a tractor, but need more passing and highway power. You think the larger carbs and exhaust cams would help this? :wink:
 
Read my sig for the mongrel engine powering my 1983 GS850GD...

With earlier heads, you just have to remember to get the right valve cover gasket. I just got a silicone valve cover gasket from:
http://realgaskets.com

$25 and I'll never need to buy another.
 
The GS850 power question comes up regularly.

The easiest and cheapest way is to simply drop in a GS1000G or GS1100G engine.
 
How much more

How much more

How much more power does a 1000 or 1100 have over my 850?
 
Frame changes

Frame changes

Are the frame and rear diff., swingarm the same on the GS850G and the 1100G?
 
I think you also need the shaft from the 1100G if you go that route. I think the 850 shaft doesn't bolt up to the 1100G.
 
My mods so far

My mods so far

Only mods i have done so far to my $300 '80 GS850G is I put a set of stock GS1100G pipes on it casue the four into pne sounded like poo, and was rotting out. I also put a K&N air filter on it. Do you think the 1100 pipes gave me some top end? :twisted:
 
I don't think their is much difference in the mufflers. You do need the drive shaft for an engine swap-- the part inside the swing arm that connects to the engine & you will need to modify the rear eng mount
 
How much HP!!

How much HP!!

Well how much HP am I going to get for the trouble?
 
A lot more. The GS1000 and 1100 have way more grunt than the 850, but then my 850 has a virtually open 4 into 1 pipe. It has lots of top end but it's a little flat at the low end. The bigger engines have a better spread of power.
 
I've never ridden a GS1000 or 1100, but no one should get the impression that a GS850 is at all underpowered.

The bike will happily blast down the interstate 2-up at 90MPH if that's your bag. You also have plenty of grunt (and "oof", and "uuurrggh" and and "mmph") for anything else you might want to do with a motorcycle, including humiliating squids and Hardleys at every opportunity.

You just don't have that OMFG, shaking-hands-with-Jesus, wobbly knees, involuntary incontinence, kind of power. 8O 8O

The bigger bikes weigh almost exactly the same, I think, but it seems to me that a lot more power would more easily overwhelm the frame and suspension. I already get some frame flex when I push it hard in the twistys.

With that said, I would welcome the chance to get even more corrupted by more power! :twisted: :twisted:

I think another factor is that the 1000 and 1100 engines are more commonly modified and thus better understood. With any of the G models, I think it would be a mistake to turn that smooth, torquey powerplant into a peaky, noisy screamer.
 
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