TCK's GS1100ESD Gixxer/Bandit mod thread...

[salty_monk]

4"x18 wide is best for 150/70-18 radial, (stock GSXR 86-87 1100)
4.5"x18 is best for 160/60-18 radial (stock GSXR 88 1100)
5.5"x17 is best for 180/55-17 radial Standard 2nd gen Gixxer

The radial ties don't tolerate rim/tire mismatch as well as bias tires.

Edit:


Like Billy Said

How does this affect tyre availability? I believe 160's are hard to get? Would a 150 fit the 4.5" & a 170 fit the 5.5"?

Dan

 

[Billy Ricks]

How does this affect tyre availability? I believe 160's are hard to get? Would a 150 fit the 4.5" & a 170 fit the 5.5"?

Dan

Shouldn't be a problem going down one size. That would be preferable to going up a size when it comes to radials. Watch Ebay for race take offs. I picked up a set of Michelin Power Pilots in a race compund for about $80 with about 90% of the tread left. The set was a 120 up front and a 160 in the rear. At that price I can afford to wear out a race compund tire a couple of times a year.

 

[mullesaurus]

Again, as I said quite a few times in my introduction to this thread: I WILL NOT ALTER THE FRAME PERMANENTLY IN ANY SHAPE OR FORM. This grinding is not at all necessary using either of the swingarms if you use the correct offset sprocket. Reading thru Kichigai's thread on this mod on this EXACT bike, he didnt have to grind anything, and instead of using a 5/8ths offset like everyone assumed and suggested, he tried a 13mm offset, and had a 1/4inch of clearance on each side without altering anything.

i have been wondering, does that 1/8" not make any significant difference lining up the sprockets? would it be a good idea to machine a bit off the sprocket carrier when using less offset? it seems the 13mm offset works well for kichigai. why does everyone run the 5/8" if the 1/2" is a better fit?

 

[rapidray]

i have been wondering, does that 1/8" not make any significant difference lining up the sprockets? would it be a good idea to machine a bit off the sprocket carrier when using less offset? it seems the 13mm offset works well for kichigai. why does everyone run the 5/8" if the 1/2" is a better fit?

MOSTLY because the 5/8 offset is a readily available, easy to get part. PLUS, it works & the PMFR offset is one of the nicest ones made. It also LOOKS nice! Most of us that drag race on small tire bikes use the 5/8 offset & they work great & support the output shaft very well. Ray.

 

[Nessism]

Hey Josh,

I know you want to have the mods be reversible but a little grinding to gain clearance doesn't sound like anything to be concern with. A GS1100 doesn't have exorbitant collectors value or anything, so no real worry from a value standpoint.

At any rate, sounds like a fun project. I agree with the others suggesting finding the value center of the project - so keeping the stock swingarm seems reasonable.

Enjoy and keep us posted on the project.

 

[TheCafeKid]

Hey Josh,

I know you want to have the mods be reversible but a little grinding to gain clearance doesn't sound like anything to be concern with. A GS1100 doesn't have exorbitant collectors value or anything, so no real worry from a value standpoint.

At any rate, sounds like a fun project. I agree with the others suggesting finding the value center of the project - so keeping the stock swingarm seems reasonable.

Enjoy and keep us posted on the project.

The value center of the project for me isnt a monetary thing. To me at this point, its performance vs performance, and using a proven method vs one that currently doenst have alot of info available... there are more on here to garner info from that have done the Bandit swingarm vs those who have used the modified stock arm and used HARDER to find 86-88 gixxer 1100 parts. The performance gain there isnt, in my opinion worth the amount of headache, searching for parts, and the "invisible" money spent on trial and error with a lesser known mod set up. I did that with the cafe, and spent an unreasonable amount of money trying this and that, vs using a tried and true method, and in the end, while im pretty happy with the turn out, the overall gains werent what i was hoping for. This set up that im going with has all the bugs worked out thru other people trying it, and finding better ways of doing things, and in the end, isnt THAT much more expensive than using other mod methods. The total price im looking at for the winter mods isnt JUST the suspension, i am including a total refurbish of the frame, some motor mods, and repaint.

And, while I agree the 1100 isnt that huge on the collector list now, the ES is a bit more rare than the EZ/ED and perhaps one day will have some collector value. It certainly will to me. Again, my plan is to use the ES as the test bed for the suspension mods this winter. I will ride it next season with that set up, and in the fall look for a basket case or a lil better 1100ED. I will use THAT bike to swap the susp mods to, and also be installing a 140ish end horsepower motor that i will be having built over the summer and fall of next year. Then, the ES will be getting the stock pipes and airbox put back on it, completely cleaned, and restored, and then semi-retired with matching numbers. No, they're not worth alot now, but im sure those who had Z1s, CBXs and the like didnt think they'd be worth alot to a collector one day either...

 

[Ironriot]

Hell yeah! A build thread. Dude there's been too many words and not enough pictures to make this a legit build thread i believe

 

[TheCafeKid]

Hell yeah! A build thread. Dude there's been too many words and not enough pictures to make this a legit build thread i believe

I need parts...that will take me a few months. Not gonna be cheap, but IMO well worth it. If you'd like to see pretty much what im goin for.. search for pics of Isleomans GS1100ED or Kichigai's GS1100ESD

 

[Guest]

Offsets?

Offsets?

When you put the GSXR 17" wheel in the swinger, use the GS11 sprocket carrier as it has less offset for the sprocket. I believe .200". Nearly much the difference between the 5/8" and 3/8" offset sprockets. Then when you use the 530 chain, you have more clearence. Just check to see how close it comes to the tire too. Maybe it can be machined down even further. Then you need even less offset in the sprocket. And more clearence to the frame. I have also heard that there is a difference between the '82 and '83 1000/1100 Katana frames with the chain running into the frame on the '82 1000 and there being enough clearence on the '83 1100. Oh, the 5.5 x 17 wheel pops right into the GS11 swinger. Maybe, the only mod might be to grind some of the bracing away from the from of the arm and this is so you have clearence to slide the wheel/tire forwards and take the chain off when you need to take the wheel out. Or, you can still go with a Bandit swinger or a GSXR 750 or 1100 arm. They are much the same just maybe the pivot width? Just watch the overall length. I may even have one of those if you want measurements or one.

 

[TheCafeKid]

When you put the GSXR 17" wheel in the swinger, use the GS11 sprocket carrier as it has less offset for the sprocket. I believe .200". Nearly much the difference between the 5/8" and 3/8" offset sprockets. Then when you use the 530 chain, you have more clearence. Just check to see how close it comes to the tire too. Maybe it can be machined down even further. Then you need even less offset in the sprocket. And more clearence to the frame. I have also heard that there is a difference between the '82 and '83 1000/1100 Katana frames with the chain running into the frame on the '82 1000 and there being enough clearence on the '83 1100. Oh, the 5.5 x 17 wheel pops right into the GS11 swinger. Maybe, the only mod might be to grind some of the bracing away from the from of the arm and this is so you have clearence to slide the wheel/tire forwards and take the chain off when you need to take the wheel out. Or, you can still go with a Bandit swinger or a GSXR 750 or 1100 arm. They are much the same just maybe the pivot width? Just watch the overall length. I may even have one of those if you want measurements or one.

The WHEEL may fit into the GS11 swinger, but you're going to have other problems, like the brake torque arm, as the gixxer uses an underslung caliper etc etc. Have to have it modified, and if im gonna do that, might as well use the bigger stiffer Bandit arm.... There is no problem that I am currently aware of with chain and frame issues with the 13mm offset, and 520 chain.

 

[Billy Ricks]

520 chain is the way to go. Some will argue you need 530 with liter class bikes, but the new 520 chains are plenty strong. The 520 Regina/Vortex combo I run now is the best wearing chain/sprocket combo I've ever had.

 

[TheCafeKid]

520 chain is the way to go. Some will argue you need 530 with liter class bikes, but the new 520 chains are plenty strong. The 520 Regina/Vortex combo I run now is the best wearing chain/sprocket combo I've ever had.

I thought the 'Busa rolled out the factory with a 520? Or is it 530? Either way, it definately douses the fire on the "630 on dragbikes" debate IMO. LOL

 

[mullesaurus]

520 chain is the way to go. Some will argue you need 530 with liter class bikes, but the new 520 chains are plenty strong. The 520 Regina/Vortex combo I run now is the best wearing chain/sprocket combo I've ever had.

are there 520 offset sprockets available?

 

[Billy Ricks]

are there 520 offset sprockets available?

You can go to JT sprockets website and check their drawings. Some of the GSX-Rs and Kawasakis have a different offset than the Suzuki sprockets. I'm having one made up through Katman with a 3/8" offset. They aren't cheap but you can get them with any number of teeth you want and any offset.

 

[tone]

You can go to JT sprockets website and check their drawings. Some of the GSX-Rs and Kawasakis have a different offset than the Suzuki sprockets

Hmm all the stock gsxr bandit & gsxf front sprockets are flat (no ofsett) the spacing is done by use of a thick washer behind the sprocket

the kawasaki's that i know of with ofsett sprockets that can be used on suzuki's are gpz1000rx & the early zx10's (9mm from memory) but i'm sure theres more available in 530 ..... also yam fzr600 use the same front sprocket as most gsxr's if you need a 15 tooth in 530 (no ofsett)

imo using a 5/8 ofsett front sprocket causes more problems than it solves, around 12 or 13mm is whats needed for every gs or gsx ive done (about a dozen to date) changing sprocket carriers helps alignment as some are thinner than others & along with a little machining doing this keeps the chain well away from the frame

 

[Guest]

Brake arm and spro's

Brake arm and spro's

Another thought is you could just shorten the caliper bracket to fit the smaller rotor then it would bolt to the GS arm but would still need a kink in the torque arm.
As to the offsets Spro's, I have had much better luck with the 3/8" offset ones as the 5/8' push the chain too far out. I think you can still get them from Kosman and PMFR has some though most are in the 530 size. I am thinking to go down to a 520 once my present stuff is shot and needs the replacement. Oh, If the 3/8" works, you just go with the flat one and a few washers as long as the splines are still engaged. Works well and the GSXR1000 stock sprocket work with 17 teeth.
Does this help?
GREG

 

[Billy Ricks]

Another thought is you could just shorten the caliper bracket to fit the smaller rotor then it would bolt to the GS arm but would still need a kink in the torque arm.
As to the offsets Spro's, I have had much better luck with the 3/8" offset ones as the 5/8' push the chain too far out. I think you can still get them from Kosman and PMFR has some though most are in the 530 size. I am thinking to go down to a 520 once my present stuff is shot and needs the replacement. Oh, If the 3/8" works, you just go with the flat one and a few washers as long as the splines are still engaged. Works well and the GSXR1000 stock sprocket work with 17 teeth.
Does this help?
GREG

I've tried spacers but you can only get about 1/16" behind the sprocket before you are off the splines. That's as far as getting the lock washer on the outoard side to catch the splines.

 

[jwhelan65]

A few issues

A few issues

A few things to consider on the rear, when fabbing the rear bushings on the Bandit swingarm be sure to allow for the replacement shocks. The originals springs do not extend down as far as the Ohlins or whatever brand you choose. I had to convert to a 520 to make it work with the 180 Bandit rear wheel. As you can see from the pics its tight with the 530 set up. The 520 allowed for proper front and rear wheel alignment by giving me a much needed 4mm of spacing.
My parts list:
98 Bandit rear
180 Bandit wheel and rear brake set up
520 chain
520 5/8" front offset
520 48T Supersprox
Ohlins shocks
Welded shock mounts
Going with a Pirelli Diablo 180 to save 1mm also

 

[tone]

I've tried spacers but you can only get about 1/16" behind the sprocket before you are off the splines. That's as far as getting the lock washer on the outoard side to catch the splines.

2 other options here ....

pin & weld 2 stock sprockets together with the teeth removed from the rear one & the centre of the front one dished or cut out completely gives you around 9mm of ofsett you can then space it out as normal or....

for a couple more mm on the spacing you can machine the back of the nut down this allows you to still get the locking part onto the thread

 

[tone]

do you have a chain runner on there as from the pic it looks like you have an issue with the chain chewing into the arm