Engine ID

[81GS750]

So I was looking over my newly acquired 83 GS1100ES and in the process of ordering new gaskets I know I will need. When I looked up the parts fiche it shows the 83 1100 to have the valve cover with the square end caps.

The bike I have has the later model valve cover with the 8 chrome bolts and TSCC in raised letters. Bike Bandit shows a fiche for an 83 GS1150ES that has the same cover as mine but not an 1100 with that cover.

I looked at suzukicycles.org and their pics all show 83 1100's to have the older style valve covers. No mention of an 83 1150 though.

The engine # is GS110X 167480. That would tell me that it's an 1100 correct?

I'm thinking this engine might have come from a later model GS, but would like to know what year. Or, was 83 an odd ball year for the big GS line?

Any input would be appreciated.

Some pics.

[TeamDar]

What you appear to have is a set of GS1100 cases with a GS1150 head. Look at the cylinders in the front at the bottom towards the dyno cover for a cast in number plate. That will tell you what size the jugs are.

[sharpy]

Can you post some pics of the whole engine (both sides) and we can tell you if its a full on efe. Alt and points covers are differant. Has it got 8mm bolt heads on all the lower covers?

[81GS750]

All other covers have 8mm bolts. Casting on jugs looks to be 1074, so the jugs are correct for the bike, internal parts is another question. It does have Accel coils and wires on it, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything.

The story behind the bike goes like this: The original owner was buddies with and worked for Jim Hall (Chaparral Cars) in Midland. He supposedly did some engine work to it, but kept it as a street bike with occasional trips to the drag strip. The second owner bought it about 9 years ago and took it to Motorcycle Performance in Odessa to get it running again then disappeared. I bought it from the owner of Motorcycle Performance who has had it for the last 9 years. The rims are made by Akront in Spain, and the rear wheel is mounted with a 170 tire. Also, the rear rim has screws through the lip of the rim into the bead of the tire.

[81GS750]

What you appear to have is a set of GS1100 cases with a GS1150 head. Look at the cylinders in the front at the bottom towards the dyno cover for a cast in number plate. That will tell you what size the jugs are.

If this is the case, is it a good thing or bad thing? Any way to tell if the cams are stock?

[TeamDar]

The 1150 head is an upgrade from the 1100 with 1mm larger intake valves, bigger ports, and a better sealing valve cover gasket. To install this head on a 1100 bottom required changing some of the cylinder studs. To check for performance cams you need to remove the valve cover. I would bet that it has 1150 cams in there.

[sharpy]

Basically the 1150 cams are like stage1 cams compared to a stock 1100 cam. That was the general opinon when they cam out.

[81GS750]

Good to hear, thanks for the help guys!!