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Is the 1980 16 valve GS1100L Hard to Find?

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    Is the 1980 16 valve GS1100L Hard to Find?

    Hey guys. I'm no where near being in a position to purchase one right now, but I've recently become very intrigued with the GS1100L.
    I'm curious if anyone has any idea if the 1980, 16 valve version is a difficult one to come by? As I understand it they were a one year make.
    Last edited by RustyTank; 03-04-2021, 08:04 PM.
    Ryan

    1979 GS850G - currently undergoing a major overhaul
    1986 GSX-R750 - I'm figuring it out

    #2
    The 1980 GS1100L was in fact only built for the 1980 model year. Suzuki built GS1100L s for 1981, 1982, and 1983 as well, according to the model information tab on the GSR home page.
    Expecting the Spanish Inquisition
    1981 GS850G: the Ratzuki
    1981 GS1100E

    Comment


      #3
      Originally posted by zuluwiz View Post
      The 1980 GS1100L was in fact only built for the 1980 model year. Suzuki built GS1100L s for 1981, 1982, and 1983 as well, according to the model information tab on the GSR home page.
      Right. Zuluwiz, I just took a look at the chart you referenced. I'm talking specifically about the GS1100L with the TSCC, 16 valve engine.

      Last edited by RustyTank; 03-04-2021, 06:17 PM.
      Ryan

      1979 GS850G - currently undergoing a major overhaul
      1986 GSX-R750 - I'm figuring it out

      Comment


        #4
        Originally posted by RustyTank View Post
        Right. I'm talking specifically about the 16 valve, TSCC engine GS1100L.
        You are correct, sir. Later L models had the 8 valve engine, which was just an enlarged version of the previous liter bike. 1980 was also the only year an L model had chain drive.
        1982 GS1100E V&H "SS" exhaust, APE pods, 1150 oil cooler, 140 speedo, 99.3 rear wheel HP, black engine, '83 red

        2016 XL883L sigpic Two-tone blue and white. Almost 42 hp! Status: destroyed, now owned by the insurance company. The hole in my memory starts an hour before the accident and ends 24 hours after.

        Comment


          #5
          Originally posted by Rob S. View Post
          You are correct, sir. Later L models had the 8 valve engine, which was just an enlarged version of the previous liter bike. 1980 was also the only year an L model had chain drive.
          I'm curious what the differences in performance are between the 16 valve, TSCC engine and the 8 valve shafty? I read that the 16 valve engine produced about 10 more HP. Any other pros to that engine or are both engines close enough in performance that it's negligible?
          Last edited by RustyTank; 03-04-2021, 08:06 PM.
          Ryan

          1979 GS850G - currently undergoing a major overhaul
          1986 GSX-R750 - I'm figuring it out

          Comment


            #6
            I'll admit I didn't know that Suzuki went to the 8-valve engine for the rest of the GS1100L run. Learn something every day, I guess.
            Expecting the Spanish Inquisition
            1981 GS850G: the Ratzuki
            1981 GS1100E

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by zuluwiz View Post
              I'll admit I didn't know that Suzuki went to the 8-valve engine for the rest of the GS1100L run. Learn something every day, I guess.
              I learn something new every time I log into this site
              Ryan

              1979 GS850G - currently undergoing a major overhaul
              1986 GSX-R750 - I'm figuring it out

              Comment


                #8
                The 16V engine is a performance engine. The 1100 8V came out in 1982 and was more torque oriented. It's also a much heavier bike due to the shaft drive.
                Ed

                To measure is to know.

                Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

                Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

                Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

                KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by Nessism View Post
                  The 16V engine is a performance engine.
                  To get into the weeds a bit, do you mean that the 16 valve, chain drive engine was more designed for high performance and high speed vs the 8 valve was more designed to...oh I don't know be a smooth tourer? I'm trying to understand what you mean by "performance engine".


                  And can anyone tell me why on some websites it's referred to as a GSX and not a GS? Is it a regional difference?
                  Last edited by RustyTank; 03-04-2021, 08:28 PM.
                  Ryan

                  1979 GS850G - currently undergoing a major overhaul
                  1986 GSX-R750 - I'm figuring it out

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by Nessism View Post
                    It's also a much heavier bike due to the shaft drive.
                    What is "much heavier"? Like 50lbs? 100lbs? I'm havin a hard time finding the info on the difference between the chain drive and the shaft drive versions.
                    Ryan

                    1979 GS850G - currently undergoing a major overhaul
                    1986 GSX-R750 - I'm figuring it out

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Suzuki's claim for the GS1000 was 90 HP. For the 11E, it was 108. Of course the claim is less than the rear wheel, real world number. The 11E was only 5 pounds heavier than the 1000E.
                      1982 GS1100E V&H "SS" exhaust, APE pods, 1150 oil cooler, 140 speedo, 99.3 rear wheel HP, black engine, '83 red

                      2016 XL883L sigpic Two-tone blue and white. Almost 42 hp! Status: destroyed, now owned by the insurance company. The hole in my memory starts an hour before the accident and ends 24 hours after.

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Originally posted by Rob S. View Post
                        Suzuki's claim for the GS1000 was 90 HP. For the 11E, it was 108. Of course the claim is less than the rear wheel, real world number. The 11E was only 5 pounds heavier than the 1000E.
                        That's interesting info Rob. Thanks.

                        I guess from my perspective, I'm trying to figure out whether, when looking for an 1100L, it's even worth looking for an 80 model, and what the pros and cons are between the 1980 and the later years. It sounds like the 1980 engine is gonna have better "performance", which I imagine means more torque, faster engine, etc. The shaft drives are gonna be a bit heavier...if that even makes a difference on a bike that big anyway...and make slightly less power...again, I'm not sure that makes much difference, I'm no HP snob. They seem like super nice touring bikes. I'd love to ride one.
                        Last edited by RustyTank; 03-04-2021, 09:12 PM.
                        Ryan

                        1979 GS850G - currently undergoing a major overhaul
                        1986 GSX-R750 - I'm figuring it out

                        Comment


                          #13
                          The thing is, not only is the 16 valve (TSCC) a higher performance* engine, non were available with shaft drive.

                          *11E vs. 1000E (chain vs. chain), at least a half second better in the quarter mile, and 142 vs. 136 top speed.

                          The restyling in '82 not only produced a much better look, but a considerably lower seat height.
                          1982 GS1100E V&H "SS" exhaust, APE pods, 1150 oil cooler, 140 speedo, 99.3 rear wheel HP, black engine, '83 red

                          2016 XL883L sigpic Two-tone blue and white. Almost 42 hp! Status: destroyed, now owned by the insurance company. The hole in my memory starts an hour before the accident and ends 24 hours after.

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Originally posted by Rob S. View Post
                            The restyling in '82 not only produced a much better look, but a considerably lower seat height.
                            I'm sure that's all in the eye of the beholder but I hear what you're sayin Rob. I do like the idea of the shaft drive vs. the chain.


                            Originally posted by Rob S. View Post
                            11E vs. 1000E (chain vs. chain), at least a half second better in the quarter mile, and 142 vs. 136 top speed.
                            That difference is interesting. It doesn't seem like much.
                            Ryan

                            1979 GS850G - currently undergoing a major overhaul
                            1986 GSX-R750 - I'm figuring it out

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Originally posted by Rob S. View Post
                              ...11E vs. 1000E (chain vs. chain), at least a half second better in the quarter mile.
                              Originally posted by RustyTank View Post
                              That difference is interesting. It doesn't seem like much.
                              In the quarter mile, a half second is a world of difference.
                              1982 GS1100E V&H "SS" exhaust, APE pods, 1150 oil cooler, 140 speedo, 99.3 rear wheel HP, black engine, '83 red

                              2016 XL883L sigpic Two-tone blue and white. Almost 42 hp! Status: destroyed, now owned by the insurance company. The hole in my memory starts an hour before the accident and ends 24 hours after.

                              Comment

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