Shaft drive converted to chain..?

[tom203]

Its a 1993 GSX1100G 91- 93 US. Up to 1996 in Europe.

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/suzu/suzuki_gsx1100g%2091.htm

It uses the 87-89 slingshot GSXR 1100 engine.
Rapidray again, you like others are making comments to me about something I said to someone who has now deleted his post. Did you see the posting I commented on..?

I don't know who else saw the post you "commented on", but I did. To my way of thinking, if you ask for someones's advice, the chances are pretty good that you'll get an opinion. Apparently, this displeased you. All sorts of questions get asked here, so you have to be tolerant - there's little point in being negative.

[hampshirehog]

Ross,
Take Ray up on his offer.

I will be HAPPY to race you for some cash with my SLOWEST GS. Ray.

Ray, I'll scupper your chances - I'll give you my little sister's bike (sitting in my garage at the moment for a few fixes). Better off riding your pushbike mate - it's one of these....



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

Seriously. Ross, your bike is a beast of a thing but it'll be a lot of work to convert it to chain drive. They do suffer from the rear suspension going off after a while and when they do that they get real nasty.

[Ross]

I agree Tom. The negative stuff does nothing for anyone.
Im waitng on some info on the part number cross reference.
hampshirehog, I think Mr. raceray was making reference to my comment to the deleted post, and he wants to make sure I know his slowest GS is still faster than my sporty. Fact is,.. if it isnt a good drag bike. He may be very ****ed off with the results.
BTW, Rustyjeep. My RG500 has a cassette transmission. They are a PITA.

[shiznizbiz]

does your engine look like this one? More specifically, the rear of the crankcase on the left side.
If so, your bike has a secondary drive unit bolted into the back. Youd need a whole rear end from a chain drive(swing arm, wheel and all). I dont know what would bolt in to your frame.
And youd more than likely need a whole crankcase and bottom end for your motor since the majority of suzuki's shaft drive crankcases are designed specifically for the shaft drive needs. (like the secondary drive gear location) The transmission will be totally different as well. I think its a safe to say, it would be very complicated to change a shaft drive engine into a chain drive engine. I have a feeling you were either, lied to when you bought this bike, or your very misinformed of the engine. It may have been that someone swapped all the gsxr's goodies from the crankcase up onto the gsx's crankcase so that it would be a shaftie. But im not sure of how realistic of a swap it may be. I dont know. I dont have that experience with that motor. I may me totally wrong but i think i may be somewhat right.

[Hammered]

Actully, a shafty albeit with a great deal of effort and cash, can be converted to chain. Just as the old yamas ran a shaft final to make their bike shafties. Youd have to build or find a suitable yoke to gear final drive. And with that adding length to the drive, youd more than likey have to stretch the swinger, but since youd be converting to a chain, youd also be swapping the swinger out. With all the benefits a shaftie provides to those of us slower types, they present barriers for those of you with "A Need For Speed!" (in big booming voice) Best shot as already stated would be to pick up a different ride already chain driven for the effort and funds required. And this comes from a guys who thinks stock anything sucks.

Oh and dont let any of these guys sweat you. Some people feel it their duty to impress their ideas on anyone who listens.

[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..

[gmansyz]

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..

[gmansyz]

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.