New Guy with an Old Bike

[Guest]

Hello!
I just picked up a 1983 GS1100es this afternoon and thought the smartest thing I could do would be to join a community of experts. I had a '77 GS750 several years ago, but this bike will be a fairly new experience for me. It needs some cosmetic and minor mechanical help, but seems to run strong and it shifts like it should. Should be a fun project.

One question to get the ball rolling. The lens on my gauge cluster is missing and the needles are broken off the tach and speedo. I checked ebay, and it looks like clocks for my bike are going to be hard to source. I did find an auction for gauges off a 1980 GS1100 (model not specified) and the description says it will fit my bike. It looks a little different, but it's the same basic shape and seems to have the same functions. Anyone know if this will cross over? If not, are there other models I should look at?

Once I dive in a little deeper, I'll start a build thread and post some progress photos. For now, here's how she looks on day one. Thanks.

[gsrick]

Welcome, nice bike. Looks velvety. I'm not sure about the 80-81 fitting as it was designed to fit with the rectangle head light. the 82 1100E is a direct fit, but will have the 80 mph speedo instead of the 140.

[GSXR7ED]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

What a beauty!!!!


Welcome!!!!!!

Sorry to hear about the lens on the instrument cluster. Not sure how difficult that would be to replace. Do post moar pics!

Lovely, lovely bike.


Ed

[glib]

You can still get the replacement lens. See pic. IMG_0299.jpg
Maybe someone that restores tachs can replace the needles.

(Hard to see but lens is listed as hood, meter #34150-49910).

[dorkburger]

Welcome, and cool ride. If I recall, the ES of that year has a far different cluster, more Katana - esque, and more importantly, an electronic tach.

[Sandy]

Unfortunately the instrument cluster for that model is a 1 year only piece and most likely impossible or at least very hard to find. However, the cluster off the 83 - 86 GS700/750 E/ES/EF models is near identical, share many common parts and probably readily available used off ebay. Someone here may even have a spare set, I do but it's been scavenged for parts already. I wouldn't be surprised if they were directly interchangeable. Only different I can see is the style of the gear indicator. The 750 version has a separate bulb and lens for each gear position while the 1100 has a single LED array for all gears. Nice bike by the way, I love the 1100ES.

[Redman]

Welcome to GSR.

Nice ES.
I will let others, with ES expereince, answer your question about the intstrumnets.

I see you list MO in your location.
Look in "meeting place", there is an upcomming rally in MO.

.

[twerth]

Thanks for all the input! Saved me from pulling the trigger on the 1980 gauges. I hadn't noticed that they had the 80 mph speedo. That would have been disappointing. With the guidance from the group, it sounds like I'll be able to make something work.

I guess the velvety seat really shows. It's in pretty good shape, so my initial thought was to dye it black. May need to find a new cover for it after all.

Since I'm limited to one picture per post, here's the other side:

[twerth]

Welcome to GSR.

I see you list MO in your location.
Look in "meeting place", there is an upcomming rally in MO.

.

Thanks for the heads up Redman. Unfortunately, Farmington is across the state from me, and my bike's a couple of months from ready. Maybe next year...

[Steve]

Unfortunately, Farmington is across the state from me, ...

Farmington is only 250 miles from you, which would make you one of the "locals".

Many of us have come from a bit farther away, including Chicago, Omaha and Dayton.

What else does your bike need besides instruments?

.

[twerth]

Farmington is only 250 miles from you, which would make you one of the "locals".

Many of us have come from a bit farther away, including Chicago, Omaha and Dayton.

What else does your bike need besides instruments?

.

Tires, battery, handle bars and some wiring gremlins. That's what I've identified so far, but I'm also concerned that people will make fun of my velvety seat.

[Dogma]

Tires, battery, handle bars and some wiring gremlins. That's what I've identified so far, but I'm also concerned that people will make fun of my velvety seat.

I will personally make sure you don't have the most ridiculous bike there. Anyhow, this isn't the sort of crowd that values you for your bike.

Is the seat waterproof?

[dorkburger]

It's an 83 1100es in nice shape. You're winning already. Seat is a minor detail. Get it running, safe, and reliable, then worry about the seat. A standard 83 and likely 82 1100e seat will fit, or you can look into a repop seat cover if your pan and foam is good.

[steve murdoch]

Tires, battery, handle bars and some wiring gremlins. That's what I've identified so far, but I'm also concerned that people will make fun of my velvety seat.

Just wear a matching velvety jacket and the fellas will leave you alone.

[twerth]

Thanks for the input, fellas. I've started pulling it apart and will start a build thread elsewhere. Biggest issue will still be sourcing a gauge cluster. Looks like I need something with a mechanical 140+mph speedo, electronic tach and small enough to fit in the fairing. So far, I'm not having a lot of luck. May need to go aftermarket.