1981 GS850G camshaft questions.

[Guest]

Alright everyone I'm new to the forum and I've been searching for 1-2 hours on camshafts that are usable on my 81 850 and I haven't found much info. My big question is I've seen performance cams for the 750's but nothing for my 850. Are their cam available for my bike? Can you use 750 cams on a 850?

Thanks in advance.

[Nessism]

750/850/1000 = interchangeable cams

[Colt45]

Would 1000 cams make more power? Or should I just go With a set of performance cams?

[Nessism]

The OEM cams are similar to each other. The 750 cams have a little more duration and the 850 cams are timed for torque. You can get the specs from the factory service manuals if you want to look them up. Find Basscliff's website and download some manuals.

[bobgroger]

Would 1000 cams make more power? Or should I just go With a set of performance cams?

For what a set of aftermarket cams would cost you will get WAY more bang for the buck by swapping in a GS1100G motor. No replacement for displacement....

[Colt45]

Swapping in a gs1100 motor? Motor and a rear swing arm?

[bobgroger]

Swapping in a gs1100 motor? Motor and a rear swing arm?

GS1100G is shaft drive. A direct bolt-in.

[Nessism]

The larger 1100 carbs would be needed and (I think) the driveshaft. Not sure if the airbox boots will fit to the 1100 carbs either. And the exhaust.

There have been guys that put a 1000/1100 engine in their 850 so it's definitely doable, but there will be a little more involved than simply bolting in a different engine.

[thebrandonbeezy]

My 1000g air box has "850 1000 1100" stamped on it
Even a 1000 g would be a great option. As for cams 750 cams will be a pretty good low buck swap not much hp to gain but a little more smile per throttle for sure

[Steve]

The larger 1100 carbs would be needed and (I think) the driveshaft. Not sure if the airbox boots will fit to the 1100 carbs either. And the exhaust.

There have been guys that put a 1000/1100 engine in their 850 so it's definitely doable, but there will be a little more involved than simply bolting in a different engine.

Nessism hit most of the high points there.
The '80/'81 850G and 1000G used the same frame, so there is no problem with fit.
The '82/'83 850G and 1100G used the same frame, but it was different than the earlier frame.
The bolt holes in the collars on the exhaust flanges have different spacing between the 850 and the 1000/1100, so you will need the exhaust, as well.
I think most of the motor mounts will work, but there might be ONE that needs to go with the engine, I can't remember which one.
The driveshaft needs to follow the engine. The bolt spacing on the u-joint is a bit different. It is also different from the '80/'81 and '82/'83 850s. The newer 850 shaft might fit the 1000 shaft, but I'm not sure.
The airbox is the same, but you will need the proper boots to go to the carbs, as the 850 uses smaller carbs.
Some time during the '82 model year, the ignition system was changed. The centrifugal advance mechanism was replaced with electronic advance in the ignitor, so you might need to change the ignitor, too.

Or, you can just save a lot of time and money. Just put the money in the gas tank, one fill at a time, and go enjoy your 850 as-is.

.

[Colt45]

I'm thinking I'm just gonna jump up on camshafts. I like my 850 just want a little power. I already have a aftermarket exhaust and I made a custom air box with going threw and rejecting the carbs. I don't want to give all that up. Plus the motor has been pulled a couple years back and re gasketed.

[Steve]

... and I made a custom air box with going threw and rejecting the carbs. ...

Why would you want to "reject" the carbs?

.

[JTGS850GL]

Nessism hit most of the high points there.
The '80/'81 850G and 1000G used the same frame, so there is no problem with fit.
The '82/'83 850G and 1100G used the same frame, but it was different than the earlier frame.
The bolt holes in the collars on the exhaust flanges have different spacing between the 850 and the 1000/1100, so you will need the exhaust, as well.
I think most of the motor mounts will work, but there might be ONE that needs to go with the engine, I can't remember which one.
The driveshaft needs to follow the engine. The bolt spacing on the u-joint is a bit different. It is also different from the '80/'81 and '82/'83 850s. The newer 850 shaft might fit the 1000 shaft, but I'm not sure.
The airbox is the same, but you will need the proper boots to go to the carbs, as the 850 uses smaller carbs.
Some time during the '82 model year, the ignition system was changed. The centrifugal advance mechanism was replaced with electronic advance in the ignitor, so you might need to change the ignitor, too.

Or, you can just save a lot of time and money. Just put the money in the gas tank, one fill at a time, and go enjoy your 850 as-is.

.

The 82+ GS850 used the same driveshaft as the 1100G. 81 will need a new driveshaft to match an 1100G engine flange.

[Colt45]

Why would I reject the carbs? For the custom made air box and the custom exhaust. I don't like the factory air box or the factory exhaust that comes on the Suzuki gs.