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Newbie with questions about my recent purchase.

  • Thread starter Thread starter gwad19709
  • Start date Start date
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gwad19709

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Hello All My name is Mike and I'm from Cincinnati Oh. I grew up in the late 70's early 80's hanging on the fence at the local pool watching the big Gs,KZ,and CBX's go by. My first purchase was a 77 kz1000a Dragbike three years ago...Love it. I know you guys are ready to kick me out of this forum right now! LOL. Hold on just a minute..last week I picked up another of my big three. A 1983 GS1100E Get this for $400.00 bucks. Runs, all electronics work and it doesn't look half bad either. The cosmetics are the easy part for me the mechanical side, lets just say I'm still learning. The catch is The bike only runs on full choke and has a huge miss. I suspect the lions share of the miss is in the carbs. I have good spark on all cyl but I ran a compression test on it last night, heres what I found. Numbering the cyls one thru four starting on the left side of the bike I found 110psi, 150psi,120psi, 150psi. The manual says no more than a 28psi differential. Is this devastating news or could it run decent at these levels? Id love to smooth it out a bit enjoy for the summer and rebuild over the winter. Any help would be appreciated Thanks in advance!
 
Welcome! These guys know more about these Suzuki's then I do but yes, a bike that runs only on full choke is starved of fuel and has clogged yets. Total teardown and rebuild is in order and full electrical testing, cleaning is next. Those compression numbers are fine, get the bike fixed and start riding!
 
I'm not a mechanic, just an '82 11e owner who still loves and used to own a big Z. I don't think those compression numbers alone would prevent the bike from running smoothly and pulling good.

In case you didn't know it, the '83 11e is a very desirable bike.
 
First things first, when was the last time the valve clearances taken? Probably don't know do you? Also, never trust what a PO says. What I am saying is check valves 1st then perhaps a complete carb dipping process.

Others will be along shortly with links to all the info you will find necessary to make this bike run great.

Good luck and congrats on such a nice find and welcome to the GSR.......

Larry
 
I read a stickey about valve clearances, adjusting timing, cleaning carbs and getting jet sizes. It looks like I have a ton of work to do! I really know nothing about the bike the po's info seemed a bit sketchy at best. I have to assume the bike was rode hard and put away wet. Rob s. stated the 1100 e was a very desirable bike...what would separate it from the rest? I'll try to get a picture up I cant wait to get in the garage!
 
attachment.php
I finally was able to upload a pic of the new bike I think its a thing of beauty!
 

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Really a super nice looking bike. Did the PO not know what he had there, I mean to just give it away for $400.

I'd say you just hit a mini lottery. Nice score.
 
It runs poorly and has a few oil leaks. I met the guy at a yardsale I was having. He noticed my KZ and mentioned his GS we exchanged #'s and three days later I pulled in his driveway. Right off I noticed a new Harley and a for sale sign in the yard...A.) not into metric go fast bikes anymore. B) Trying to downsize for the move. I used those plus the problems with the bike to bring it home! I cant stop staring at it...Just pulled the carbs yesterday I need to get o rings and jets. I have the gs1100e with Vance and Hines 4into1 (packing intact) and Vance and Hines pods No other mods that I know about. Any advice on jet size?
 
Lord know I could use some help! Right now I'm trying to identify which carbs I have so I can get some parts also trying to figure out which tool to purchase to help adjust the valves. I figure the valve adjusting is going to be a chore since there are soooo many.
Steve said:
Let me know if you need some help, I am just up the road from you.

.
Click to expand...
 
gwad19709 said:
...Rob s. stated the 1100 e was a very desirable bike...what would separate it from the rest?
Click to expand...

The next year it became the 1150. The previous 1100Es ('81, '82) didn't have a welded crank, and the crank had a small tapered end. Meaning the '83 is the only 1100 with the super-strong, bullet-proof crank.

The "E" is the sport model. The shaft driven ones ("G", "GK") had only 8 valves.

I have the '82 (painted to look like yours), but I wish it had the '83 crank in it.
 
Steve is the "GS Super Hero" of the Mid West. He is really good at what he does, and loves to do it. If you can get him to come by and help you get it dialed in, you will be golden AND you can learn a lot in the process...

Have to say that it sounds like the guy threw that 4 into 1 and pods on it and can't figure out why it's running so lean. Hence the blueing on the header. Keep sweet talking Steve. He will get that beauty singing again...
 
Rebuilt the carbs..runs without chock on now still runs kinda crappy. I am ready to adjust the valves. I am following the valve adjusting guide above its great except it isnt real clear as to where the #1 piston is. I assume 1234 from left side of bike to right also how do I identify the intake vs the exhaust valves. Sorry for the knuckleheadery! LOL.
 
what a deal!! you got yourself a nice looking bike there. the 83 had a stronger crank. nicer pegs than the 82, nicer rear peg brackets, nicer wheels, the black engine . lots of little refinements make it a little nicer to look at. imo of course.
 
Last edited:
intake valves are closer to the carbs. exhaust valves are closer to the exhaust pipes.
 
Four hundred dollars......NICE! And no hate on the Kawi. Most here appreciate vintage machines in general.
Mike, welcome aboard. An 83 1100e is what got me hooked on old GSs back in the early 90s.
 
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