A few Bandit/Gixxer conversion questions...

[ValveGod]

So I had a decent little paragraph going about what I'm interested in but it didn't post and I don't really feel like typing it all out again. Basically, I've seen a few of the conversions on E bikes but my first bike was a GS850L and I'm more of a cruiser guy but get frustrated when the modern cruiser has to be a VTwin and not a good ole' 4. Of course I want more performance and some nice wheel options, etc. Anyways, this is more of a probing thread to see if a possible build would even be worth while on an L model bike. As far as I know all the GS's were pretty close cousins but I don't know all the dimensions and if a swap would be possible. Any constructive in put would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

My old GS, how I miss her.

 

[jwhelan65]

I have never seen it done with an "L" but if someone could pull it off it might be kind of cool to see, might look like a GS version of a V MAx..

 

[SqDancerLynn1]

The 850 is a do everything motorcycle. Rear wheel is VERY limited because of the drive shaft Cams and exhaust from the 1000 will fit with mods..
If you want balls out performance get a chain drive bike

 

[ValveGod]

The 850 is a do everything motorcycle. Rear wheel is VERY limited because of the drive shaft Cams and exhaust from the 1000 will fit with mods..
If you want balls out performance get a chain drive bike

I wasn't exactly saying it'd an 850 bike but an L bike for sure. My idea was to keep it chain drive. Much like a GS1000L. Just with the updated wheels, brakes, etc. I mentioned an 850 as a possible starter bike or 1100GL, just swapping out the parts such as the engine/swingarm and forks.

I have never seen it done with an "L" but if someone could pull it off it might be kind of cool to see, might look like a GS version of a V MAx..

Your thread is actually the one that first turned me onto possibly doing the project. That's why I was curious how similar the E bikes were from the L/GL's. From the little research I have done they are pretty similar, differing most in engine and tank/seat/cowl. The idea is a power-cruiser like they were originally built to be in the 80's.

 

[Flaming Chainsaws]

Salty_Monk is the guy that had me wanting to do modern suspension and wheels.

My bike is a 1980 Suzuki GS450L chain drive. Although it's not too much of an L anymore. I've been looking at getting a Katana 600 or a 1990's GSXR front end as they're pretty much a bolt on. I need to think about the rear end a little bit since I don't want to switch to a mono shock... Yes, I am willing to do this on a smaller bike.

Don't try this on a shaft drive though. You can get the front end done but the rear end will be tougher...

This will be a very interesting project. Are you planning on keeping the stock seat, gas tank, and stuff but only change out the suspension and wheels? That's cool! Go for it!

 

[ValveGod]

Salty_Monk is the guy that had me wanting to do modern suspension and wheels.

My bike is a 1980 Suzuki GS450L chain drive. Although it's not too much of an L anymore. I've been looking at getting a Katana 600 or a 1990's GSXR front end as they're pretty much a bolt on. I need to think about the rear end a little bit since I don't want to switch to a mono shock... Yes, I am willing to do this on a smaller bike.

Don't try this on a shaft drive though. You can get the front end done but the rear end will be tougher...

This will be a very interesting project. Are you planning on keeping the stock seat, gas tank, and stuff but only change out the suspension and wheels? That's cool! Go for it!

I was hoping the front end would be close enough to be a near bolt on. I'm used to my V65 Magna which isn't really relateable with any later Honda bikes. I could see it being much easier with a bike that was already chain drive. My plan would be keeping the original topside and going after the suspension/wheels/and I'd like to go after the engine, too. I know what you mean on the monoshock, they're cool but I'd like to stick with the outboard shocks. I know jwhelan65 mentions someone in his thread who welded slots for shocks on the Bandit swingarm.

 

[Flaming Chainsaws]

I was hoping the front end would be close enough to be a near bolt on. I'm used to my V65 Magna which isn't really relateable with any later Honda bikes. I could see it being much easier with a bike that was already chain drive. My plan would be keeping the original topside and going after the suspension/wheels/and I'd like to go after the engine, too. I know what you mean on the monoshock, they're cool but I'd like to stick with the outboard shocks. I know jwhelan65 mentions someone in his thread who welded slots for shocks on the Bandit swingarm.

Go for a ZRX1100 swing arm then. They used the twin shocks.

 

[Jason the terminator]

I was hoping the front end would be close enough to be a near bolt on. I'm used to my V65 Magna which isn't really relateable with any later Honda bikes. I could see it being much easier with a bike that was already chain drive. My plan would be keeping the original topside and going after the suspension/wheels/and I'd like to go after the engine, too. I know what you mean on the monoshock, they're cool but I'd like to stick with the outboard shocks. I know jwhelan65 mentions someone in his thread who welded slots for shocks on the Bandit swingarm.

Katman sells bandit swingarms but you can fit up to a 5.5" wide wheel in a stock aluminum swingarm from a 81-83 1100. Here are a couple to check out.

Posplayr's
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=135919&page=22

Jwhelan65's
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=155027&page=8

 

[FreshStart]

If you do get a shafty im pretty sure the rear wheel from a 91-94 gsx1100g will fit with little to no modification

 

[ValveGod]

If I started with a shafty, my intention wouldn't be to keep it as a shafty. I would even like to go as far as the engine. I've only seen carb'd Bandit swaps, anything look into an EFI Bandit?