Replace final drive for touring?

[stupiferodious]

Got a 1980 GS850G resurrection project pretty much done. Love riding the bike except for the gearing. 4000 RPM at 50 MPH does not lend itself to relaxed touring. Would replacing the final drive unit with a GS1000 or GS1100 unit bring down the revs?

[rustybronco]

A drive from a later GS1100GK will drop the R's a little. Personally I've been trying to see if the secondary gears from a GS1000G will fit.

http://thegsresources.com/_forum/showpost.php?p=1891810&postcount=2

[Brendan W]

Something not right - I'm closer to 60 at 4000. I think I remember reading something like 41xx revs at 60mph for most of the 850s.

[koolaid_kid]

Isn't there a thread here (or perhaps a document on BassCliff's website) that gives all the ratios available to the shaft drives?
Myself, I just go up one tooth on the countershaft and I am done.

[tkent02]

It's a little engine. Relax and wind it out.

[rustybronco]

Something not right - I'm closer to 60 at 4000. I think I remember reading something like 41xx revs at 60mph for most of the 850s.

His tach appears to be incorrect when compared to mine as well.

[blowerbike]

is there any identifying marks on a GK final drive?
i have what i think is a GK final drive for over 20 years.
i only parted out one shaft drive and it was a GK.
memory foggy~~~~

[Steve]

Should be doing about 56 mph (accordingn to GPS) at 4000 RPM.

Have seen that consistency with five different 850s, both G and GL models, and various years.

If your speedo is reading fast and you have the stock 90/90-19 tire on the front, you will be able to slow it down by installing a 100/90-19 tire.

Don't worry about the revs for touring use, the bike thrives on them.

My wife shot this over my shoulder ...






While chasing this motley crew:


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[Nessism]

is there any identifying marks on a GK final drive?
i have what i think is a GK final drive for over 20 years.
i only parted out one shaft drive and it was a GK.
memory foggy~~~~

All 1983+ 1100G bikes had the taller rear end ratio, not just the GK.

You can check the ratio by manually turning the input flange while watching the output.

No marks on the exterior as far as I've seen.

[sedelen]

Eric wanted me to post this for him, His GS1000G with a 2.66: 1 final drive ratio.

[Nessism]

Eric wanted me to post this for him, His GS1000G with a 2.66: 1 final drive ratio.

Where did he get the gears? There is no GS that uses that ratio.

[SqDancerLynn1]

THE GS 1000 secondary gear set WILL NOT fit the 850. I believe the GS1000/1100 are interchangeable not 100 % sure

[sedelen]

Where did he get the gears? There is no GS that uses that ratio.

That I do not know, perhaps he'll fess up. But I do believe him.

[hjfisk]

He's probably figuring it with a 17 in rear wheel as all the bikes that came with the 2.91 had 16" wheels

[Steve]

He's probably figuring it with a 17 in rear wheel as all the bikes that came with the 2.91 had 16" wheels

Using a different size tire does not change the final drive ratio.

Personally, I will just consider the source.

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