• 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.

Need Help - 1980 GS1100E - Bars & Light

  • Thread starter Thread starter 45ACP
  • Start date Start date
4

45ACP

Guest
Decided to just keep it stock for now.
 
Last edited:
If you remove the headlight housing the back of the instrument panel will be exposed to the elements. It isn't reallly a problem on my 80 750E because I have a Quicksilver fairing to help keep water out. If you change the headlight, you'll need to address this issue. For the seat, you should be able to find a different cover for the one you have, I think JC Whitney sells a replacement cover for it. I've heard decent reviews on them, although not ones for your model specifically.
 
45ACP said:
I have a 1980 GS1100E. I love the bike, but there are a couple things that I just can't seem to like.

1. The headlight. The square light drives me insane. I think it ruins the flow of the bike.
2. The bars. Again, they do nothing for the asthetics of the bike, I am thinking drag bars would look and feel much better.
3. The seat - I have an ugly aftermarket seat, and would like to go back to stock, or something like it. What years and models will fit the 1980?

I know these are 3 simple things to change, but what do you guys reccomend? What headlight and bars would you switch to? Money and time are pretty tight at the moment, so the easier and cheaper the better. Is there a company that makes a light that will bolt on after the old one is removed? Electrical and fabrication skills are two things I don't have. :-D

Thanks for any help and advice!
Click to expand...

I'm afraid I don't agree with your taste. I love the square headlight & bucket on my '80 GS1100E. I also had, many years ago, an '81 GS750E. I guess I always liked that square look. If you insist on replacing it with a round one, make sure you get a bucket large enough to tuck the wires in. Otherwise you may be disappointed by all the spaghetti hanging out.

Not sure if your bars are stock. It's too easy for a PO to have replaced them. But again, the stock bars are period correct, put the rider is a comfortable, upright position, with easy control access. I like the stock bars. There are many options out there. Here's one source. http://www.motorcycleproshop.com/acc.asp

The seat for your bike is only available for the '80/'81 GS1100E. The '80/'81 GS750E should also fit. Pass on any other seat. Watch on ebay for one in reasonable condition. You could get it re-covered, if necessary.

Meaning you no disrespect, of course. To each his own. I wish you good fortune in finding just the right options to make the bike your own.
 
Thanks for the tips. I may just leave the headlight alone, but to me it looks like a Jeep with square headlights :shock:. If it is going to open up a bag of worms I will let it go.

I would love to get a stock seat, the PO replaced it with a gawdy aftermarket seat that I can't stand. I will check ebay for a 80-81 stock seat and see what I can find.

The bars are still the factory bars. I like the look and feel of the straight bars, and will check out the different options.

If anyone has a set of bars they have had success with, please chime in.
Thanks all!
 
GS1100E Seat and Bars

GS1100E Seat and Bars

I have used set of drag bars I removed from an 1980 1100EThey are black and need to be painted.
I also have a couple seats ti fit your need and your budget.
You can PM me.
Thanks,
Del
 
45ACP said:
I have a 1980 GS1100E. I love the bike, but there are a couple things that I just can't seem to like.

1. The headlight. The square light drives me insane. I think it ruins the flow of the bike.
2. The bars. Again, they do nothing for the asthetics of the bike, I am thinking drag bars would look and feel much better.
3. The seat - I have an ugly aftermarket seat, and would like to go back to stock, or something like it. What years and models will fit the 1980?

I know these are 3 simple things to change, but what do you guys reccomend? What headlight and bars would you switch to? Money and time are pretty tight at the moment, so the easier and cheaper the better. Is there a company that makes a light that will bolt on after the old one is removed? Electrical and fabrication skills are two things I don't have. :-D

Thanks for any help and advice!
Click to expand...

GS100002.jpg


Different headlight, speedo,handlebars,tailpiece, and seat.
 
!980 Suzuki GS11100E

!980 Suzuki GS11100E

To 45ACP,

Here's what I changed on the bike above.The Headlight is from a mid 60's Honda w/ a speedo built into it.
The handlebars are drag bars, shortened 1 & 7/8ths of an inch at each end.
The tailpiece is from a an 80's Honda Interceptor.
The side cases have been reshaped and relocated about 1 & 1/2 inches back.
The seat has been shortened and narrowed at the back.
The possibilities are endless...
Good luck w/ the appearance modifications on your bike.
 
Last edited:
I really like the headlight! Does it also have a tach, or just the speedo? I am going to have to look into that headlight!

Oh, and great bike!
 
45ACP said:
I really like the headlight! Does it also have a tach, or just the speedo? I am going to have to look into that headlight!

Oh, and great bike!
Click to expand...

GS100005.jpg


Here's a nother pic of the headlight and handlebars.
No tach, I'm afraid, but I know that Suzuki had a speedo /tach/headlight
combo back in the early s60's.
I found the headlight/ speedo combo at my local swap meet/ flea market.
I paid $5.00 for it! Luckily, the speedo worked fine.
I had to have the speedo cable cut and reshaped at the end to fit into the headlight.

The dragbars are available at most motorcycleshops.
I did have to re-wire the whole bike, because the factory instrument cluster has a ton of check lights , fuel gauge, brake stuff, etc. and you can't bypass this electrical nightmare.
I don't particularly need to have all these lights to tell me what's wrong w/ the bike.
A simple safety check before each ride should suffice.

I have no welding skills or metal shop skill. I just used my imagination, a measuring tape,hack saw ,drill, lots of visual checking to see if it looks right.

I agree w/ you on the square headlight and the protruding instrument cluster. That stuff should be on a car!
Anyways...I would look at websites w/ older Japanes bikes and see what grabs your eye in regards to the headlight/speedo combo, plus it may spark some new ideas for you on how you want your bike to look
Or go to your local library and check out some motorcycle books.

H
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

drewandkellie
Cluster lighting bulbs
Replies
3
Views
95
drewandkellie
drewandkellie
E
GS1100E turn signal 3 wire
Replies
5
Views
129
rphillips
R
R
Paint code need help
Replies
3
Views
145
Richter Rox
R
A
1982 GS1100E - looking for float bowls, part number....
Replies
1
Views
80
Nessism
Nessism
E
Engine oil cooler- gs1100e 1982
Replies
7
Views
159
e23mike
E
Back
Top