Well first things things first - this project hasn't happened yet. I've had a lot of changes with my job, as well as renovations, chewing up my time. I significantly overhauled my DR650 last winter, and didn't have time for much else.
(BTW, as you can see, I had to create a new ID on here).
ANYWAY.
I'm now working full-time for Rob Harris, editor-in-chief at the Canadian Motorcycle Guide (wwww.cmgonline.com).
He still has the half-completed 7/11 project in his garage, and said I can take it with me when I leave the office to return to part-time from home at the end of the summer. If I can get the thing running, we'll put the bike's story on our website. It's a bit of a legend with our site's readers - he started the project over ten years ago, and just never got around to finishing it.
He actually found the 1100 engine in a parts bike leaning against a back alley fence, asked the owner if he could have it, and was told yes. He got it to turn over, but never ran it before he installed it in the 750's frame.
This has led me to some serious thinking about this project in the last few days.
As long as that 1100 motor runs, half the hard work has been done already, if I want to go the 7/11 route. The 1100 engine is in the frame, and the lower motor mounts have been made (ALTHOUGH Harris says he thinks they're a bit flimsy, and could be re-made).
There are, however, several key things to complete.
1). I need to install the 1100 carbs. Since they won't mate to the GS750 airbox, that means I'll need to fit some pod filters and re-jet. This can be both good and bad - pod filters means more airflow and easier removal for adjustment, but it also means (I have been told) worse running in the rain and wind, and I'm the kind of guy who runs a lot in the rain and wind.
CAN ANYBODY GIVE ME ANY INSIGHT INTO THIS? How hard will it be to re-jet these carbs for pods (possibly K&N, or whatever else works best)? (I've rejetted carbs for thumpers before, never for an I4)
Will I need to make a bracket to hold the carbs in the frame, or will the engine's intake boots be enough to secure them? Will the bike run rough in poor weather conditions?
2). The bike has the front end off a GS650 (cleverly chosen for its double-disc front end). This would likely be too puny for the increased power of a 16-valve 1100 motor. Would a simple fork brace solve most of this problem, or should I also be on the lookout for a beefier front end to drop in (maybe a GS1000 front end?)? I assume I'll be able to swap out the triple trees from a GS1000 directly into the 750?
3). I've already asked this, but what possible complications will I have when fitting the 1100 wiring harness to the machine? Seems to me that as long as the headlight will plug in (more or less), everything else should be easy, as long as I can find a place to bolt the R/R, CDI, flasher box, etc. to the machine.
Of course, it would be a shame to do all this and find the 1100 motor needed transmission work, and I imagine that after not running for probably 12 years at this point, it likely should have the top end popped off to examine the bore for rust.
NOW TO COMPLICATE THINGS ....
I also have the option to buy an (allegedly) running '86 GS750 parts bike (no bodywork or seat, but everything else is there) for $600ish locally. The owner says he can get the bike running for me if I go to look at it.
Would it be wiser for me to put that motor in the bike instead? I assume that:
1). The engine should bolt right in.
2). The '70s-era GS750 frame I will be using would be much happier with the '86 750 engine than it would be with the 1100 engine.
3). The 750 engine should be easier on gas than the 1100 engine.
Furthermore -
1). I'm wondering if the '86 front end (and maybe even swingarm) will bolt on to the '70s era frame?
2). Will that '86 frame take the 1100 motor? I assume not.
I realize these are a lot of questions. However, I know that many guys on here have asked all these questions before, and figured them all out. I've used the search function quite a bit, but
Can anyone help me?
, wheels, 4-1 exhaust, etc. are all there.
