1980 GS1100e Front end swap

[johnnay]

Hi, here's my before pic:

[johnnay]

And here's a pic with the new front end installed (94 GSXR - thanks Katman!) - still have to figure out what gauges I'm going to use, and mount the new headlight (from a European naked FZ6 - nice!)

[Pharkmeh]

thx for the pics - always interested in seeing mods progress...:-D


lemme know how it rides m8...\\/

cheers

Phark

[johnnay]

Thought I'd provide an update on my bike, with some new pics. I've decided on a change of handlebars, as I didn't like how high the ones I had were. I bought a nice renthal KTM fatbar, and will use the orange as an accent colour to the bike, which will be either gloss or flat black.

Rode for half of last summer with the front radial and rear bias ply - better than both bias plys except in bumpy corners - the rear tends to roll over on the edge more than the front, which is unsettling. Have started on the rear monoshock conversion:



Will try to update more frequently...

[80GS1000]

Nice! Those handlebars look sweet! Have you designed the lower and upper monoshock mounts yet?

[johnnay]

No, have to mill the swingarm first so it fits - I think it's pretty important to keep the dust covers. I also have to decide whether to bush the stock swingarm pivot bolt, or enlarge the pivot holes in the frame....I'd like to go with the GSXR pivot bolt cos it's way cool, but it may be more trouble than it's worth.

[80GS1000]

No, have to mill the swingarm first so it fits - I think it's pretty important to keep the dust covers. I also have to decide whether to bush the stock swingarm pivot bolt, or enlarge the pivot holes in the frame....I'd like to go with the GSXR pivot bolt cos it's way cool, but it may be more trouble than it's worth.

So are you moving the swingarm needle bearings in the pivot inwards a few mm?

I figured that the GS swingarm didn't have dust covers, and the swingarm bearings lasted for years and years, so no harm no foul. That and the new bushing will cover up the bearings anyways.

Length and diameter between the two pivot bolts is pretty different as you know. IIRC, you'd have to shorten the Gixxer pivot bolt and widen the pivot bolt holes in your frame twice perfectly to make it fit.

Looking good, keep posting pics of your progress.

[johnnay]

I haven't pulled the swingarm bearings yet, but if the cups need to be deepened, I'll get that done too. As you said, the GSXR bolt would require even more fab work. I was wondering if I'd be able to cut out one of the existing frame bushings by using a hole cutter aligned with the other hole, then welding in a new, larger bushing and repeating the process for the other side. Or, cutting both out, and welding in the new bushing across the whole width of the frame and then cutting that down. as I said, it may be more trouble than it's worth. Prolly a lot easier to just get a bushing for the stock pivot bolt (and use a bolt from 83, as it's apparently shorter).

by the way, is that Spiegler top clamp for 7/8 bars, or 1 1/8? I have 1 1/8 bars and am modding my clamp, but would go for the Spiegler if it was the right size.

[80GS1000]

I haven't pulled the swingarm bearings yet, but if the cups need to be deepened, I'll get that done too. As you said, the GSXR bolt would require even more fab work. I was wondering if I'd be able to cut out one of the existing frame bushings by using a hole cutter aligned with the other hole, then welding in a new, larger bushing and repeating the process for the other side. Or, cutting both out, and welding in the new bushing across the whole width of the frame and then cutting that down. as I said, it may be more trouble than it's worth. Prolly a lot easier to just get a bushing for the stock pivot bolt (and use a bolt from 83, as it's apparently shorter).

by the way, is that Spiegler top clamp for 7/8 bars, or 1 1/8? I have 1 1/8 bars and am modding my clamp, but would go for the Spiegler if it was the right size.

The Spiegler/LSL kit is for 7/8" bars. With the kit, you get a very nicely machined top triple clamp, a set of 7/8" handlebars, and a set of braided stainless steel brake lines.

Which front end are you using again?

[johnnay]

94 GSXR - spiegler has a top clamp for it - too bad about the 7/8, though.

[80GS1000]

too bad about the 7/8, though.

What do you mean? You'd have to use a different set of bars?

[johnnay]

Yeah - the bars I have are schaweet - I'll just continue along my path of reinforcing and drilling the current top clamp. the only issue is that the current holes (from the clipon mounts) are too wide for these bars, so I have to drill two new holes a little closer together.

[johnnay]

Oops - the grinder slipped... were those shock mounts???:shock:

[johnnay]

Here's my Odyssey 535 - about the same size as what was in the bike, but can be mounted sideways. May exchange it for the PC310, which is even smaller (but for some reason more expensive...).

[johnnay]

Started cleaning up the removed tabs, mounts, etc.:-D