GS1000 frame Difference

[Guest]

Hi guys. Other than measuring the gap for the swingarm how else do you tell the difference between the chain drive and shaft drive frames for a GS1000. Thanks
Wayne

[Steve]

I have not seen the two of them side by side to compare them at the same time, but the chain-drive swingarms mount with a bolt that goes all the way across the frame. The shaft-drive swingarms mount with separate bolts, so I imagine that the bearing area would be different.

If the serial number plate is still on the steering neck, look at the model designation. The shaft-drive frame should have a 1000G on there, a chain-drive will have something else after the 1000 or nothing.

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[bwringer]

The shaftie frame has tapered bearings on each side -- even if the swingarm is gone, the bearing races will likely still be in the frame.

[Steve]

The shaftie frame has tapered bearings on each side -- even if the swingarm is gone, the bearing races will likely still be in the frame.

Aren't there threads in the hole just beyond the bearings? Seems to me that is what the pivots thread into. The chain-drive bikes have an axle that goes all the way through and will have its own threads, so the hole would be smooth.

It's been a while since I have worked in that area, but that will be rectified in a few weeks when I get home, I need to change the output shaft seals on #2 son's 850 so the boys can take it on the road in their travels this summer.

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