Shaft drive converted to chain..?

[Ross]

Yes shiznizbiz, that is a GSX1100G. That is what I have. Nobody switched anything over on this bike. The GSX1100G comes bone stock with the 89-89 GSX-R 1100 slingshot motor. The only thing Suzuki did, was install the cams in advanced +4 degrees. That moved the power band and torque peaks down from 12,000 to 8000. The motor stock redlined @ 10,500 and makes peak HP about 8000 and peak torque about 7600 They drop a half point off the CR, and went from the 40mm to 36mm BST's. Stock #'s rated at 100 HP at 8000. I put a tuned Jardine pipe on it, open the air box face and made a adapter for an open element K&N filter. Then went back and changed the pilots, the needles and mains. Now it will pull right on past 10,500 as before it went flat real fast after 9400. I also am using the 89 R ignition box. Which gives me 2 degrees more advance under 4500 and about 2 degrees more retard after 8600. Maybe 24HP maybe...I can tell ya right now, the biggest seat of the pants increase was the carb work. They had it choked off real good. Once it was allowed to rev up by backing the time off a little at the top end, It wanted a lot more fuel. It went from a 120 main to a 135, pilots went from 30's to 32.5 and the needles I dont even remember what I ended up with. I was going by length and taper at certain spots to correct where it felt soft. The original needles had a single groove. They were made out of aluminum. the ones I have in there now are the same length needles over all, but the last half is very aggressive in the taper. They are set in the second slot from the top, Or, about .050 lower in the slide as compared to the spot on the original single grove. I love the bike, It is just turning way too many RPM at cruising speed. I think Suzuki did this because being unfaired, and because of the upright seating position anything over a 110mph, it's trying to rip you off the bike. So with that in mind they opted for gas millage and gearing. In stock form the advertised 137MPH top end is reached with no effort at all. I have had this one to 140MPH+ by speedo indication. It was still pulling @10.700

 

[81GS750]

I'm too familiar with shaft driven bikes, but could he possibly swap the engine for a chain drive engine and also change the swingarm to match? Or is there a difference in the frame that would prevent this? By the way, where do you live that you can SAFELY ride your motorcycle to and fro at speeds of 137MPH or even 155MPH. I understand that you race, but I doubt your reaction time is quick enough to avoid that idiot who decides to change lanes without looking. I'm sure you may dodge one or two close calls, but luck only lasts so long!

 

[Pete Logan]

A GS125 - pokes out about 12BHP (but it does appear to manufacture its own fuel...)

We have the GN version of that bike (mechanically the same, just styling differences). You forgot to mention it's a real hooligan once you get over 8000rpm

 

[mighty13d]

I've come to a conclusion. You should just buy a 1st gen Bandit. Similar body lines and stock power and chain drive. That'd simplify things quite a bit. You wouldn't be disappointed. Plus you lose less power with a chain so you can make the same or even a little less power and still be putting more down to the road. There is also a ton of options for a bandit.

Yeah it's late and I'm tired so I'm totally not helping with what you want to do. I just felt like sharing. It's at least an idea to toy around with.

 

[Ross]

mighty13d, I cam across this bike by accident. I got it very very cheap, so a weeks worth of working on it and tweaking things here and there. I have found faith!! I really do like this bike. So thats when I started looking around. I came to the same conclusion..I would LOVE a 1200 Bandit. But What I would like and what I can cover are like most other peeps..........not the same.. Yea up until 3 months ago, I wouldnt have gave a bandit a thought, for a run around bike. I just had no idea what an awesome power plant the 4 valve motor is. Yea I have rode new busas and others, but i didnt own them, and surely cant afford them. so why get to excited while riding one. I didnt like the busa anyway.. a heavy pig with way too much power. As for the Q 81 gs750 asked. If I could convert this bike to a chain I would and still might. I would need a complete swing arm made for it, I dont think there is anything that would be long enough to start with. I would find a rear wheel that I wanted, and then make the swinger to mate up to that. It would be pretty easy. Im already scanning for some Chrome moly tubing for the appl. The old bean is workin..

 

[Guest]

Gears

Gears

You may be able to swap in the top gear set from the GSXR1100 onto your shafts. Also, Maybe, there are some taller rear dive units you could graft onto the swinger. Maybe the M109 has soemthing? Or look at some Kawi's or Yami's. Maybe, get the rear wheel widened to an 18" and then you gain at least an inch in tire diameter. Also, the rear unit's ratio is 32/12.
I may have the rest of the ratios stashed someplace. And misplaced.
Hope it helps.
G

 

[Ross]

Yes that does, thank you. It turns out the transmission mainshafts do not interchange. So it stays a shaft drive. No to reduce the ratio. I have the 1982 1100GK dismantled and the rear hub is sitting there without the wheel. Im going to look at it awhile and maybe even break the GSX down for a peek., hmmmm???? I just had an idea..

 

[Guest]

Rear

Rear

The GK rear unit has a 34/11ratio. That would gear you even shorter. I was saying swap the GSXR gears onto the G's shafts. Then you would have a little taller set. Just a little bigger jump to top instead.
G

 

[Rickg5106]

Just as an aside and proof that it can be done. I know a guy that was taking Yamaha Vision motors and converting them to chain drive for dirt track motors. The heads flowed better and made more and better HP than the XR harleys (lower case intended) and you can't get parts and motors for the RS Hondas an more. Bump the CC's up to 750 and rework the output shaft with an outboard bearing but they were going on custom built frames so the chassis conversion was not an issue.
Seem to remember that some motors couldn't do this because the output shaft turned the wrong way but that doesn't make sense and don't remember the details.
Rick

 

[Ross]

Sure it does Rick. If the output shaft for the trans was in front of the out drive it would turn one way. If it was in back it would turn the opposite . On a side note, not trying to get (racerray) all bungered up again, but the XR 750 Harley will make a 135 HP with no problem. That is pretty stout considering it's a 1971 motor.

 

[Guest]

135 hp xr750??

135 hp xr750??

I would say only on Nitro.
A note. The chain drive conversion has long been the hot ticket for the Yami V-Max. So, really it all depends on how much you want to spend.
G

 

[Rickg5106]

yes but generally, except on the mile and then they twingel them, around 105 hp is about all that's usable. Much more than that and you can't hook it up reliably. That's why the current class of 1000cc bike are kind of a joke, fun to watch, and I am a big fan of flat track but they don't go much faster than the old 750 class. Just can't get it on the ground.
And XR's don't make that much HP for very long. They get real unreliable up there.

 

[Ross]

Well that may be true. A 135HP was a number from a factory race bike. Randy, Jay, and Scott, all had the mega dollar factory bikes. I went with Dan and Randy (Goss) over to Randys after work to work on the car one day. (we all work at cars & Concepts together) We get out to Randy's and Dan says hey come here,.. Randy had about 7 old XR750 race bikes in the back garage. I asked him what are you gonna do with all those..? and he said
"ahh I dont know,.. Scott comes by once in awhile and gets parts he needs. I dont know why he has about 50 of them out back of his place." That was back in about 88. The XR 750 's even the magesium motored ones werent really being looked at as a bike to collect. Randy said they were making a 132- 135 HP. In good tune. Im sure longevity wasnt an issue for them because they were tore down after every race anyway. They all grew up together, out there in Brighton/Fowlerville. I think Jay is the oldest. But between the three of them I think there are over 20 AMA Grand National Championships.

 

[Rickg5106]

Most of my info on XR's comes from Babe DeMay who was the guy that was doing the Vision thing.
Yes, the XR's got tore down after every race and sometimes during the weekend as well. The RS Honda's, on the other hand, where about as maintenence free as a race motor could be. The joke was if it ain't leaking something and it was running right, change the oil and spark plugs, send it to the line.
But then the AMA ****ed Honda off with the rules changes trying to keep the harley's in the mix and by the time they figured out they did something wrong, and "The Rolling Thunder Show" wasn't the draw it once was, nobody made a 750 twin anymore so they had to make the "Supertracker" class to try and get the other OEM's back racing with their 1000cc motors. So Honda, Yamaha, Ducati and others come back to flattrack racing and all have to detune the motors cause the extra HP doesn't do them any good.
I have ridden the ice with Scotty once in awhile, or should I say I am on the lake at the same time he is, (and in his way).
I have seen him show up with an XR set up for the mile with a brand spankin new set of Byron Muloso (sp?) studed up Kenda's. Set up something about the size of the Springfield Mile, pin the throttle until the tires start spiting screws or chunking the knobs, ride it into the trailer and go home.
If you time it right, you can have him pass you just before the corner and get a real good seat to watch him pitch it in at 130 mph, full lock slide, feet on the pegs, steering with body english. WOW!

 

[Ross]

So then I assume you still live in Mi...? and you would be talking about "tip up Town" Lake Huron, or Whitmore lake right there off of 23 and ??? ahh hell an old age brain fart.. nope dont have it. I have learned over the years not to try and find it,.. it just goes deeper into the "I dont have a clue" hole in my head. Years ago, maybe 89 - 91 or 92, I used to take my Briggs open kart up to tip up town. I must brag and say, I didnt reailze how well it worked. untill I got there. It would run a little under 100pmh with thew right gear and conditions. I didnt have to lift through the corners. The only things that could run with me were the real oval race sleds, and some of the guys with the Quadzilla RM500 powered quads. They would run off and leave me at the 1/2 way mark on the straights, but they would have to lift going into the corner. I left it pegged and pitched it. 1 year, it was about 12 below, and with the wind chill about - 38. I ran 3 gallons of aklky out of it, and I never lifted. it took about what seemed like 20 minutes. I remember I was cranking on that tilotson carb high end jet screw for about 4 full turns till it came clean!! When I ran out and coasted to the side. My pipe was hanging by the clamp. It melted right off at the block. the exhaust valve was welded right into the guide. I never knew it cuz all the other noise, and helmet I had on. The first year up I went my helmet and face shield was ruined. The Coldcutter screws comming off of those quadzillas peeled the fiberglass and paint off. I was right level with their tires. The next year I showed up with an aluminum nose cone, I rivited a squeegy to the top. I pre cut about 20 strips 1/4 strip of lexan that I could slide into the grove of the squeegy. They were about 2 inches tall, and acted as a deflector. There were a couple of those quadzillas that would run right with the bad ass sleds. They were scary fast.!! I dont know how they could hang on. I know how hard a good 120mph sled pulls, and you can plant your self in those, you have to hang on with a quad. I miss the ice man that was a lot of fun.. :clap: I have ran out on Whitmore lake a bunch, and Kensington too, we may have cussed each other once or twice..LOL..
Oh yea I was going to say, I saw one of the new Supertrackers as you called them. It was a chrome moly champion frame, set up for a TL1000.!! I dont think the bike was more than 280lbs. As much as I like to go fast. I looked at that thing and was scared.. I have rode good TL's with pipes and some tuning (power comander) they are very very fast. The only V-twin that ever out ran my RC51 was a TL. I could not imagine running one like that at mile track. Like you said you would never get it hook up.

 

[Rickg5106]

Never been to Houghton, have rode Whitmore a couple of times. Used to ride some little pothole in Ypsi untill they started building houses around it. Have done quite a bit on Cass Lake. Can't for the life of me remember the name of the lake I caught Scotty on but it was up near Flint. I was with Danny Butler and he drove so I don't think I could find it again if I wanted to.