Time to make it my own

[FreshStart]

So ive enjoyed riding my GS1100GK the way i received it. Its comfortable, sits high, and overall makes me feel like i'm 80yo and going to the farmers market. Not quite my style, knowing the muscle is between my legs isnt enough, i want it to look as fast as it is.

This is how she looked when i took her home, not bad but not good. At this point i was going to keep her the way she was. Well i had that near death the other day were as my rear fender hooked over the highway bar i got midEVIL (no spelling problem here!) on it with the sawzall and this is the end result

its looking better but i started digging in the parts been, specifically the chopper parts been and found a set of stainless steel struts for the rear, which got me thinking about my buddies KZ900 that has a drag bike look but still totally streetable. i guess that would be called pro street but im not sure since ive never been into racing bikes.

Basically i want to drop the rear 3 with the struts. Im unsure how that would affect the shaft drive. Would it improve hookup or hurt it. i know my comfort is going to go down but that doesnt matter much to me.

Next i want to lower the front 2, i plan on doing this by just dropping the forks in the trees. and then add a nice drag bar or superbike bar. Are there any benefits to either style as far as handling? I know my lean angle is going to drop substantially but that is suspension related and not really affected by handlebars.

So any thoughts? Also if anyone has any pictures of GSs done this style please lead me to them, i can find KZs up the wazoo done like this but no GSs and could use some inspiration.

 

[yank]

Put a stock seat ,cam cover and ride the snot out of her...

 

[FreshStart]

this is basically the direction im headed

 

[tkent02]

Lame .

 

[FreshStart]

Lame .

how so? everything im going to do will be removable if i decide to go back to stock, and im not going to put some rediculous paint on it

 

[cowboyup3371]

Too long and low personally. How many speed bumps do you really want to scrape with that thing? It would almost be unusable like that.

 

[FreshStart]

Too long and low personally. How many speed bumps do you really want to scrape with that thing? It would almost be unusable like that.

it wouldnt be that long since its a shaft drive i couldnt extend it, low i dont mind, no speedbumps here that would make snowplowing a beeatch. I know plenty of guys that ride kz900's this style effectively and dont seem to have problems. i just never see GSs done in this style and want one myself.

 

[Steve]

One thing to consider before you lower the back:

Yes, there is a universal joint in the driveshaft, but it's basically made to stay rather straight, as it's not a constant-velocity joint.

What that means is that when it's not in-line, the output will be speeding up and slowing down compared to the input, twice on every revolution.

That is going to play havoc with the splines in the final drive.

The straighter you can keep the driveshaft, the happier it will be.

.

 

[FreshStart]

One thing to consider before you lower the back:

Yes, there is a universal joint in the driveshaft, but it's basically made to stay rather straight, as it's not a constant-velocity joint.

What that means is that when it's not in-line, the output will be speeding up and slowing down compared to the input, twice on every revolution.

That is going to play havoc with the splines in the final drive.

The straighter you can keep the driveshaft, the happier it will be.

.

thank you this is the kind of feedback i was looking for.

 

[850 Combat]

I know someone who might want to buy the pipes and guage pods, if you don't want them. I also wouldn't worry about the comfort of drag bars. They work really well with rigid suspension I have heard.

 

[Truth]

I think you have a really comfortable, nice looking bike as it is.

 

[FreshStart]

I know someone who might want to buy the pipes and guage pods, if you don't want them. I also wouldn't worry about the comfort of drag bars. They work really well with rigid suspension I have heard.

probably would keep the guages but im still not decided on the pipe yet, of course a v&h megaphone would be the standard. id probably be willing to trade my set up for a 4 to 1 if he had one.

 

[Redneck]

Your bike make it yours, but it might be easier to do if you had a chain drive bike to build into. Could always look around and keep this one as a rider while you get the other one ready. The only reason mine is going through its transformation is because I had to replace the bottom gasket on the engine so I said what the heck. Mine will be pretty much stock except a few mods. Now the other 550 will be a complete chop.... modelled after a bike by Henryinva. His black 750 that came out oh so sweet.

Paul

 

[ddaniels]

Definitely looks better without that giant highway bar on there.

 

[Dave8338]

knowing the muscle is between my legs isnt enough...

Someone had to bring this back into this thread!

 

[FreshStart]

Your bike make it yours, but it might be easier to do if you had a chain drive bike to build into. Could always look around and keep this one as a rider while you get the other one ready. The only reason mine is going through its transformation is because I had to replace the bottom gasket on the engine so I said what the heck. Mine will be pretty much stock except a few mods. Now the other 550 will be a complete chop.... modelled after a bike by Henryinva. His black 750 that came out oh so sweet.

Paul

i know it would be easier but thats not my mantra, im a mod what ya got kind of guy. This is what ive got

 

[FreshStart]

Someone had to bring this back into this thread!

im bringing sexy back

 

[Big T]

Well, you might be a mod what ya got guy

But, it's still the wrong bike to do it to, mostly because of the shaft drive issues

Also, its bulk means it needs all the suspension travel it can get. Dropping the front 2" will probably leave you about 2" of fork travel, which will bottom out on every bump a speed

I ask, you are going to be riding farther than the nearest tavern, right?

 

[Dave8338]

Well, you might be a mod what ya got guy

But, it's still the wrong bike to do it to, (1) mostly because of the shaft drive issues

(2) Also, its bulk means it needs all the suspension travel it can get. Dropping the front 2" will probably leave you about 2" of fork travel, which will bottom out on every bump a speed

I ask, you are going to be riding farther than the nearest tavern, right?

(1) This can also work for you, as long as your not afraid to spend a few bucks. :-\\\

(2) Completely agree. Slam that GK motor into a 750 with an 1166 in it and send me the photos.

 

[Guest]

That is a nice looking ride the way it is, If you weren't so far away I'd offer you a trade, for the custom GS1100E in my avatar.