Is the swingarm on my '83 1100E stock?

[eldevigo]

I acquired a stock exhaust system off an '82 1100, on the understanding that it should fit on the '83.
After attempting to install it today, I learned that while the right-side pipe fits well, the left-side pipe runs into the lower mounting lug for the left-side shock on the rear swingarm and can't be lifted up into place to be bolted on.
I'm unsure whether this is an issue with the '82 exhaust being a different geometry, or if it's an issue with the swingarm itself.

I know that a PO replaced the front end (wheel, forks, and triple tree) with parts off a '96 Katana. The front wheel is a cast 3-spoke hub painted white, and the rear wheel matches which I assume means it's off the same katana. The guy didn't mention anything about the rear swingarm being replaced, but I suspect it may also be off the katana, which may be why i'm having problems fitting the stock exhaust.

Can anyone identify whether this is a stock GS swingarm or not?​

 

[Baatfam]

Looks stock....Here's mine:


Your chain looks like it needs attention.

 

[Nessism]

The problem may relate to the aftermarket shocks.

 

[eldevigo]

OK, I'm inclined to agree it looks like the same swingarm as y'all have. That's a relief, thanks guys!

Baatfam, you're right the chain needs a little TLC... I've put somewhere between 1 and 2 miles on this beast since I picked it up at the start of the summer, so it hasn't been at the top of my list yet
I should probably deal with it soon though, the rainy season is getting close. I need new tires too, i got it with a pair of run-out track tires that are gonna be very scary to be on in wet weather.

Nessism, I think you're on to something with the shocks. the ones on there are definitely aftermarket, and the mounting for them is machined aluminum. from Big Block's picture it looks like the stock shocks are much narrower.

I wonder if I could get away with just putting a short offsetting bracket between the exhaust hanger and the peg bracket hole to lower the tail end of the exhaust system an inch or two... I think that'd make it fit properly.
The exhaust headers would sit a little bit crooked in the engine block ports, but I have fresh gaskets that I think should be able to form to the angle.

 

[eldevigo]

definitely a much narrower lower lug!

 

[Rob S.]

Although the '82 and '83 11E are in many ways identical, they do have different passenger foot peg mounts. This may affect the exhaust. Swingarms and rear shocks are, I believe identical.

 

[LAB3]

A guy could always go to the Partzilla website and use the parts fische and compare various parts numbers to see if they're the same between those two years

Or you could go the "primitive Pete" route and use a hammer to make a dimple in the muffler to make it miss anything that's poking out too far.

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Or you could go the "primitive Pete" route and use a hammer to make a dimple in the muffler to make it miss anything that's poking out too far.

That's where I'm at. It can't need much of more a dimple. That aftermarket shock bottom and bolt can't protrude THAT much further than stock. I'm not sure what the best technique would be to deliberately and precisely place a dent in a chrome pipe without cracking the chrome, but the dimple is already in the right place, just needs to be a bit deeper. At least that's what it looks like to me. I'm not suggesting anyone take a hammer to their exhaust pipe. But that's probably what I would do.

 

[salty_monk]

You may find that the swingarm has been slightly “stretched” to fit that wheel/tyre combo as well.. it’s possible.
what wheel/tyre does it have on it? Assuming 4.5” wheel and a 160 profile tyre? That’s about the max without more work…

 

[eldevigo]

I'm not much of a tire knower and I haven't checked the spec. I'll try to get the numbers off it tomorrow.

I ended up just picking up a pair of 2" galvanized mending plates and used that to hang the pipes below the stock mounting holes. I'm a little concerned they might drag if i hit a corner *really* aggressively, but otherwise they look pretty good. I'll post pictures!

 

[salty_monk]

Are you sure you have the "E" exhaust and not the "G"? I mention because your fix is the same thing that had been done to my G when fitting 1000E Mufflers to it.

 

[bonanzadave]

I was in the camp that thought 82-83 were the same except the finish. 82 chrome - 83 black. looking at the rear foot peg / exhaust hanger casting its obvious those are different parts that makes me wonder if the mount point on the exhausts are different.

On a side note - I notice scratches on both swingarms in the pics, Mine has that too. ??? Is there that much swingarm flex? I've often thought that's where my high speed weave comes from. Yes, I have changed the swing arm bearings.......

Last one for the 82.

​

 

[eldevigo]

I'm not certain of that, I thought I was careful to get one off the E but I don't remember what the ebay listing said now haha

 

[eldevigo]

You may find that the swingarm has been slightly “stretched” to fit that wheel/tyre combo as well.. it’s possible.
what wheel/tyre does it have on it? Assuming 4.5” wheel and a 160 profile tyre? That’s about the max without more work…

yeah looks like it's a 160/60 on a 17 inch rim

 

[salty_monk]

It’s the width of rim rather than dia but a 160 would be stretched on a 5.5 rim so I guess high have the 4.5. It still may have new slightly stretched out to help with clearances.

 

[Rob S.]

Very little swing arm flex with the "built-up box section aluminum swing arm" on the '82 11E (the quotes are from the July '82 Cycle World review). And no high speed wobble (it's not one of the old Kawasaki 'Widow Makers').

I've never had mine over 120 mph, but even there she plays 'look Ma, no hands!' with no complaints.