15 years of owning my GS

[dorkburger]

Thanks Bob.
Z1 replied to my email this morning. With the 45t rear sprocket, I can't keep the same ratio, which I'm not particularly concerned with. They said a 17t front will drop the engine speed a bit. They also said a 6mm spacer is required, but didn't note placement, so thanks for that. They also gave a link count so I might as well check my chain to confirm that it will work.
The notes also say that the locking tab may not be able to be used and to use red locktite on the nut. Was this the case for you? I'm assuming this was on your 1100e, which is basically the same as 1150.

[Baatfam]

It has been many years since I did the conversion, but I am fairly certain I did use the locking tab washer on the front sprocket.
I don't see why it wouldn't still work.

[dorkburger]

I'm a happy camper at the moment.
After counting my chain links I was two short of what Z1 recommend at 118. At that point I didn't know if 120 was a stock size they keep on hand or an exact number - so I punted and ordered a 16t front.... and a 15t, holding out great hope that the 16 would work. As it is, a stock geared 1150 can pretty easily start in second gear, and at times seems to be geared a bit highway un friendly, so dropping the front to 15 would have been a bit much, but the goal was to do as much as I can with parts on hand to get me thru the next season or two.
In a move of laziness that I am not ashamed of, I simply swapped over the sprocket carrier with the 530 sprocket from the parts bike, channeling the siprit of old and current car hot rodders that run 9" Ford rears with several differently geared center sections on hand for swaps.... The 16t sprocket works and the chain is long enough - yay.

Front sprocket with spacer.
http://GS by Glen Brenner, on Flickr

I dig the holey rear sprocket. Its aluminum, so I expect it to wear quicker. It will be interesting.
http://GS by Glen Brenner, on Flickr


This is the 630 front sprocket with its heavy wear on the inboard side. I looked thru old reciepts / notes and found that it has about 13k miles on it. On the other side, the black finish is just barely worn off at the bottom of the teeth.
http://GS by Glen Brenner, on Flickr

I may be back outside later to continue wrapping up some details - bleed the rear brake, lock the wheel in place, search for cutter pins......

[GSXR7ED]

That front sprocket looks tore up!

I can just imagine how great the new set-up works.

Thanks for posting!


Ed

[dorkburger]

That’s the whole misalignment issue that has sent me down this deep rabbit hole. Hopefully the swingarm helps, but it doesn’t seem to be the cure. Ironically, with 13k miles both sprockets have surprisingly little tooth wear, the teeth still look good, and aren’t beginning to point forward.
I just found cotter pins in the work van left over from an unused heater repair kit. Round two later....

[Baatfam]

Looks like the front sprocket lock washer worked fine....

[dorkburger]

Yep. Perfect for the lock washer.

.... and I was so close to finishing tonight..... but I need brake fluid.

[dorkburger]

Finally got out for a quick test ride last night and today. Not long enough to draw conclusions on the Ducati shock, but initial impressions are good. I thought the bike sat a bit higher when sitting on the bike in the garage, but once riding I didn't notice a difference at stops. Must've been the difference of in the garage with no gear and sneakers vs riding in gear and boots. I hit a couple of on / off ramps and it did feel better. More stable. I did find myself heading to the inside of the ramp and having to correct so something must've subtly changed. It was also my first ride since December so that bears some weight also. Time will tell.

It's much more... lively...with the gearing change, particularly in town and with engine braking. Definitely turns more rpm, and blows thru the gears quickly, but that was expected. It should be fun anywhere but on the highway, and even that wasn't too bad. 70 mph was at about 5000 rpm on my occasionally wonky tach.

It felt great to get out, even if for only a bit.

[red1100]

I’m curious about the 630/530 chain swap. What’s the benefit and is it worth the money and time?

[Sandy]

I’m curious about the 630/530 chain swap. What’s the benefit and is it worth the money and time?

The chain is lighter but on a 500lb motorcycle does that really matter. There are a few other benefits though. I converted mine after a trip where for some reason I had premature chain failure due to a defective 630 chain. Managed to limp home but had I had a 530 chain that is more readily available in most shops I would have had it changed. As for cost .....it really costs no more than replacing with the 630 stuff. Just wait until you're due for a chain and sprocket replacement, not something I'd run out change until then. For cross reference purposes if you're having trouble the GS650E sprockets are a direct swap. I used 50/18 to keep the stock ratio (real close) and stock diameter sprockets on my 1000. IIRC I think the chain was 116 links. Just remember that you will need a 6mm. spacer on the outboard side of the front sprocket. Nothing to do with sprocket alignment it's that otherwise he nut won't seat up against the narrower than stock sprocket spline area.

[dorkburger]

Well its been a bit....
Last year was my worst ever for time spent riding and to make things worse my insurance ran out last August. The first tine since I started riding streetbikes in '92.... With much going on, I never got my S together and the GS just sat. By the time late fall rolled around I figured it'd be smart to drain the carbs. Good thing, because the fuel was pretty funky. Hopefully l got it out in time....
As Winter dragged on the bike just sat some more, and I had no interest in touching it. We spent some long overdue time cleaning out the basement and whenever old bedding was discarded, it was tossed over the bike for covering to the point that by spring, a garage collapse probably wouldn't have damaged it.

A few weeks ago, I uncovered it. It was nice to see my old friend.

Last Saturday with f**k all to do, I began cleaning the garage and I came across the old Team Dinosaur mid panel that was tucked away which sent me into a fit of nostalgia mixed with low grade frustration.
The fairing, gauge cluster, and all of its trim have never fit just so due to its harsh past. Its always bothered me.

With no real plan in mind I pulled the parts bike fairing stay down. Despite the parts bike's outdoor storage, the stay was quite nice and not rusty. I gave it a wipe down and it actually shined. I spent a good chunk of last Sunday tinkering. Off came the fairing and related trim.
Off came the gauge cluster. It seems that its mounting bracket was bent possibly the cause of it sitting off center. I opened the cluster to remove the bent bracket and found a JB Weld repair that I have little recollection of. While that was open I removed a relic of the past - the low battery electrolyte warning bulb. I cleaned it up and reassembled it with the best of three brackets.

The spare stay seems to fit better and lined up nicely with its mounting holes. The bracket that supports the upper half was definitely bent and probably why the windscreen always listed to one side. Swapped that as well.
Before installing the fairing, I sprayed the inside black to cover the factory overspray, reason being that I may leave off or trim down the big ugly cover. Not quite sure yet though.

I've spent a bit of time each evening this week tinkering and fighting with damaged mid panel brackets trying to get them to allow proper mounting of the mid panels. When one of my good and matching candy alpine blue panels broke off a post a few years ago, I threw in the towel and just removed them and the brackets.
http://GS parts by Glen Brenner, on Flickr

http://GS parts by Glen Brenner, on Flickr

[Rob S.]

The chain is lighter but on a 500lb motorcycle does that really matter. There are a few other benefits though.

Isn't it that the engine torque is pulling a lighter load as much as the dead weight?

[Redman]

Well its been a bit.....

I've spent a bit of time each evening this week ......

.

Good to get back to it, eh.

[dorkburger]

Yes, it's a nice escape especially since there's some room in the garage now.

The lower bracket fitment is frustrating as I expected it would be, but the minsetat the moment is just put things down when they start to annoy me. Unfortunately the parts bike didn't have the lower brackets so I'm forced to deal with what I have.

[Charlie G]

Nice to see you posting here.....