High cruise rpm, what do I have?

[salty_monk]

Or a 1000 engine....

From memory the 5100 at 70 sounds somewhat close to what my 1100G used to run.

[Kwikrnu]

If it was a 1000, the first character in the engine code should be a T as they only displaced 997 CC's correct?

And it was mistaken as to the displacement range for the U engine code. The range is 1000-1099 cc.

Salty Monk, are you speaking of the 1100 G in your signature? If yours was turning as fast as mine is did you ever have to go into the secondary? I was just wondering if maybe you verified gearing if you were in there. There's definitely something up that's not allowing my bike to align with this gear chart.

[Rob S.]

From the July 1982 Cycle World test of the new, very different 11E:

"Engine speed at 60 mph: 3811."

I have the following in my (bought at least third hand in 2013) personal 11E notes:

4300 rpm at 60 mph

5000 rpm at 70 mph

Now here's what may be a factor from the mag article:

"Speedometer error:

30 mph indicated, 29 actual &

60 indicated, 58 actual."

We've all known that manufacturers speedos are optimistic, in fact I'm a little surprised that 60 on the dial is as fast as 58. That might account for some of your "high rpm." BTW, it says mine is, at stock, geared for 142 mph.

[bwringer]

Let me offer another viewpoint: this is a feature, not a bug.


Why are you worried about this? There's absolutely nothing to worry about here.

This "problem" is not a problem in any way, shape, or form whatsoever.

You have a GS that runs great. Go forth and ride, and be happy.

It is very possible, in fact it's certain, that the speedo and tach are not completely accurate. They were never precision instruments, and the passage of nearly four decades has not improved them. It doesn't make much difference, other than you should probably ride around with a GPS or a speedo app on your phone for a bit to learn the speedo discrepancy so you can mentally correct.

One of the most common questions new shaftie owners have is "How can I lower RPM on the highway?". The answer is "you don't". The engine is designed to spin, it loves to spin, and so the onus is on you to change your thinking and stop chugging and lugging around like a little old lady on a Harley.

In sum, grip it and rip it dude!

Yes, people change final drives around sometimes (not the secondary gears in the engine), but this makes a very very minor difference and is usually disappointing to those seeking a lower RPM experience for whatever unfathomable reason. That just isn't what the bike is.

[alke46]

What he said. I was thinking it but decided to stay out of it.

Bwringer is telling you how it needs to be done.

[Rob S.]

What they said: it's completely normal, there's nothing wrong with your bike's revs at speed.

[Nessism]

If you put a dot of grease or paint on your rear tire and then (while sitting on the bike) roll it out 2 or 3 revolutions and measure the distance travelled I can double check the calculations in that table. Different tires have different diameters so the rpm numbers may be somewhat off based on that.

[1948man]

If it was a 1000, the first character in the engine code should be a T as they only displaced 997 CC's correct?

And it was mistaken as to the displacement range for the U engine code. The range is 1000-1099 cc.

Salty Monk, are you speaking of the 1100 G in your signature? If yours was turning as fast as mine is did you ever have to go into the secondary? I was just wondering if maybe you verified gearing if you were in there. There's definitely something up that's not allowing my bike to align with this gear chart.

My '83 1100G hits about 4000 rpm at 70 mph. I agree with you that it seems impossible to be that far off with a different final drive or anything like that. It must be speedo or tach error or something that's been swapped in from a different sized GS bike. I think Salty monk meant to say his "1000G" not 1100G.

[Nessism]

I was pretty sure, but i just looked again. No markings on the cylinder. Had a few kz's that had them, but none here. The only numbets are on the case by the oil fill plug. U701- designates a 1000-1100 cc engine. Mine is supposed to displace 1074 cc, correct?
.

You might want to look again. There is a little cutout in the fins at the very base of the cylinder in the front of one of the outside cylinders where the displacement is cast into the block.

[Rob S.]

I know my 11E has "1074" stamped on the front of the engine. I've also seen the 4 valve listed as 1075 cc.

But your two valve is a completely different motor, an enlarged version of the old "1000".

[Kwikrnu]

Hello, all
Just wanted to check in. Life got in the way for a couple of days but it's off to the garage tomorrow to check tach calibration. I'll get the rollout measurements then, too. And I looked AGAIN (gets tougher to get down there every year) and the front of #1 cylinder is marked 1074 cc.