Help me choose 1100e fork swap!

[Guest]

I have a lead on a ratty complete 1990 gsxr1100 front end that I can probably get for a couple hundred bucks in the next few days but I?m wondering if I should hold out for something else. I?ve done a bunch of research and it seems the late 90?s - 01 bandit rear end is the best so I?m wondering if I should just try to find a parts bike bandit to use all the susp and wheels off?

the old gsxr front ends seem pretty hard to find so if their is something newer and more common that would be way better. also don?t really mind if it is USD or standard. Actually kind of like the standard fork more because it?s more period correct. any suggestions would be very helpful.

 

[bonanzadave]

I have not seen him around these parts in a while but if you want a really sweet end project look up Joe aka jwhelan65

 

[GregT]

FWIW, the last right way up GSXR forks are probably better than the first models of upside downs.
Length is less of a problem too.

 

[ptegsotic]

I have not seen him around these parts in a while but if you want a really sweet end project look up Joe aka jwhelan65

He passed away. You'll find thread in Rest In Peace forum.

 

[bonanzadave]

I probably forgot that but as you mention it I'm saddened again by the loss of one of my fav GSRs members. Man did he build some awesome Bikes !!

 

[dorkburger]

Check oldskoolsuzuki.Info. they live and breathe modded bikes. In their archives is a fork swap chart.
Just be sure to RTFR (read the f***** rules) if you join. Its a great site, but they don't tolerate lazy posting.

 

[Guest]

Check oldskoolsuzuki.Info. they live and breathe modded bikes. In their archives is a fork swap chart.
Just be sure to RTFR (read the f***** rules) if you join. Its a great site, but they don't tolerate lazy posting.

Thank you, theirs some good stuff on there. according to a chart on there those 90 1100 forks are almost the shortest out out of everything on the chart. I?m almost thinking maybe hold out and buy a blown up bandit 1200 and have everything I need in one place.

 

[Guest]

Ok so gonna go check out a donor bandit 1200 tomorrow. Looks like I can get it for like $400 and whole front end and whole rear end is there.

 

[salty_monk]

For $400 if both ends are in good shape you should go that route....

 

[Guest]

For $400 if both ends are in good shape you should go that route....

Not really in good shape. they would need an overhaul but still cheap. I might be able to get a 92-96 gsxr1100 that sitting with it cheap too.

 

[Guest]

any reason you can’t just shorten the bandit steering stem that everyone says is too long and weld it back together?

 

[bobgroger]

any reason you can’t just shorten the bandit steering stem that everyone says is too long and weld it back together?

RF900 lower tree is plug and play. I had a friend machine 2 simple swing arm bushings. Takes a LOT of weight off. Chain guard is a bit difficult, they weren't expecting dual shocks.

http://network-pros.com/bike/80/112120.jpg

 

[Guest]

RF900 lower tree is plug and play. I had a friend machine 2 simple swing arm bushings. Takes a LOT of weight off. Chain guard is a bit difficult, they weren't expecting dual shocks.

http://network-pros.com/bike/80/112120.jpg

oh man that looks sweet! yeah I heard of rf900 lower. I’ll have to look into that. luckily my work has a lathe and my a friend has one too so I should be able to make spacers easy enough. did you do anything crazy with different sprocket carriers? Or just a offset countershaft sprocket. also how is that delkevic? I wanted that same exhaust.

 

[TxGSrider]

I swapped an 87 or 88 gsxr1100 fork/tree/wheel on mine. The good is that it's a pretty easy bolt on, had to drill 4 holes, 2 for stops and 2 to mount some angle so my gauges would bolt on. Also the 18" front rim looks very similar to my 1150 rear rim and I got better brakes. The bad is I had to use clip ons and they have to be mounted below the top tree. I ended up using Apex tall clip ons and they are pricey.

 

[bobgroger]

oh man that looks sweet! yeah I heard of rf900 lower. I?ll have to look into that. luckily my work has a lathe and my a friend has one too so I should be able to make spacers easy enough. did you do anything crazy with different sprocket carriers? Or just a offset countershaft sprocket. also how is that delkevic? I wanted that same exhaust.

I used a 3/8 offset 530 sprocket and the stock Bandit hub and some combination of Bandit\GS spacers. I used a 190 rear tire, I do not recommend it. The chain was slightly self clearancing . The Delkevic seems well made but discolors quickly. It is IIRC for an 82\83 and with the Bandit arm and 'Busa footpegs there is no place to mount the rear. I made a temporary bracket under the muffler clamp that seems to be permanent now.... Pretty loud even with the baffle in. But that is OK.

 

[bobgroger]

Forgot to mention the Gen1 Bandit front wheel has provisions for speedo drive. All Bandit parts including cable work.... I had a G2 Bandit, the GS rides much the same. More comfortable ergos.

 

[Guest]

Forgot to mention the Gen1 Bandit front wheel has provisions for speedo drive. All Bandit parts including cable work.... I had a G2 Bandit, the GS rides much the same. More comfortable ergos.

so picked up my bandit donor bike today. It’s a 96 I believe. I’m assuming similar year rf900 lower clamp and stem? Luckily there seems to be a lot on eBay for cheap so that nice to know. I’m also wonder if the stock bandit 4-1 will bolt on the gs1100 engine? I remember reading it does or needs light header flange modding to work. thanks for the help!

 

[salty_monk]

Rather than clip-ons you can sometimes drill the top plate & put some re-inforcing plates (big washers) underneath to fit something like these:

When I fitted a GSXR front end it was a straight bolt on but gauge & steerer stops were wildly different. I bolted new stops to the lower triple. For the rear I used a 5.5" but a 4.5" is much easier. I used a GS500 sprocket carrier from memory as it was narrower.

 

[Guest]

I'd love to do the Bandit swap too for an 83 1100E. So what years exactly? First gen Bandit right? Does it matter if its from a 750 or 1200? And then what year RF900 triple tree?

 

[bobgroger]

I'd love to do the Bandit swap too for an 83 1100E. So what years exactly? First gen Bandit right? Does it matter if its from a 750 or 1200? And then what year RF900 triple tree?

Bandit 1200 1996-2000 RF900 Triple all years IIRC. Use the Bandit wheels so the speedo works. You need a Gen 1 Bandit speedo cable. It's cool to see all this work getting done and I don't have to lift a finger....