bodywork diff between gs1100E and non E models

[JayCarver]

I'll start by say Hi because I'm new here.

I have always wanted to restore a gs1100e to add some old school to the garage. However in my area(north Canada) I can never find any of the E models, or if I do find one someone eles has already restored it.

Anyways my question, what are the diff between the E models and the others?

I found a 82 gs1100 but is a few hours drive away from me and the person that is selling it is not a bike person and they dont know the model. The price is good so I might just buy it anyways.

Can the tank and bodywork from a E model go on a non E model without modification?

Any diff in the motors and drive train.(I know the G model is shaft drive)

Thanks in advance for any replys.

[recycled64]

Research!!

Have you tried www.Suzukicycles.org? It's kind of Euro-centric, but it helps. Welcome to the nut-house!!

[JayCarver]

Yeah I had a look there before, it says there are 4 models in 1982.

I wouldn't think that is a Katana or the touring model so then there is only the G(shaft drive model) and the E model. The site says there may be other models though?

Does anyone know if there was a Non E model that isn't one of the above?

[dr_fosg8]

Well for 1982 there were two chain drive 1100's the Katana and the "E". The others were shaft drive, "G", "GL", and "GK". The katana and the e were 16 valve engines and all the shaft drive bikes were 8 valve engines.

[koolaid_kid]

The Katana and the E model had a chain. The GK and G and GL all had shafts.
The Katana and E had black rectangular cam end covers. The others had chrome round end covers. If it has a chain, it is an E. It MIGHT be a katana, in which case you had better run, not walk, to the seller and pay his price. Odds are it is a shaftie. (Yawn)
Nothing is interchangeable between the E and the shafties AFAIK, except perhaps the battery.

[Mysuzyq]

Welcome! It might be wise to ask for a pic at least, before driving a few hours to have a look....or email the seller a few 1100 pics from the gallery here, so he can identify the bike he has. The non E bikes will not accept E bodywork, and will most likely be shaft driven, unless it happens to be a Katana or an ES. Nothing wrong with the shafties, but if it's an E you're after.......

[JayCarver]

Thanks alot guys, I will call and ask if it is chain driven, they should be able to tell me that much, if it is then i'll make the drive.

Thanks again for your help guys.

[JayCarver]

Been doing some more research and I have a couple more questions.

Are the engines in the Katana and the E models the same. I know that there both 16 valve but are there different versions of the 16v in 1982?

I'm thinking I may be in luck on this one because the guy said that it was too "crutch rocket" like for his taste so he changed the handle bars and some other small stuff but he said that he kept all the original parts.

I'm gonna call him tonight and ask if its chain driven, if so I will ask if it has a round or squre headlight to see if its a E or a Katana. I'm not a big fan of the looks of the Katana but he's only asking $1000 so I would prob buy it anyways just because its so rare. Or at least they are up here, I have never seen one in years.

Thanks for the info guys.

[JayCarver]

So I called the guy, he said that it was chain driven and all he described the headlight as " sqaure with a bunch of euro looking sh!t around it".

Looks like I found a Katana!, now I just need to get some time away from work to have a look at it.

[bonanzadave]

http://www.thegsresources.com/_scripts/gallerydisp.php?year=1982

[Flaming Chainsaws]

If you found a Katana, I would gladly trade you my 1983 GS1100E plus cash.

But damn.... You're in Canada.

[sparki]

So I called the guy, he said that it was chain driven and all he described the headlight as " sqaure with a bunch of euro looking sh!t around it".

Looks like I found a Katana!, now I just need to get some time away from work to have a look at it.

depends on what he means by " sqaure with a bunch of euro looking sh!t around it" i guess...... don't recall much "sh!t" on the UK bikes?....

curious n all that....

[JayCarver]

depends on what he means by " sqaure with a bunch of euro looking sh!t around it" i guess...... don't recall much "sh!t" on the UK bikes?....

curious n all that....

LOL Yeah those were his words not mine, he took it off because he didn't like it and put a round light on it.

I need to get away from work so I can go see what it is!

[Tim Tom]

If he could swap headlights than there is a good chance it is not a katana. unless the fairing has been removed.

There is a possibility of it being an earlier 'block-head' 1100.

[JayCarver]

Got out to have a look at it this morning, it's a 82 GS1100E 16V. It ran very well and the motor sounds good. Mechanicly it is good but the guy tried to "crusierize" it. The front fender has been modified, it needs a new gauge cluster and the part I dont like is that he cut off the rear of the frame and put a sissy bar on it. The bar is just slid into the fame so to fix it all that would have to be done is weld the original piece back on but it really turned me off.

As far as bodywork goes its all there and in good condition other then the tank which is beat up pretty bad.

I got him down to $850 but I'm having a hard time making a decision.

I want this bike for a restoration project, so for starters I will need a front fender, mirrors, gas tank, gauge cluster and I'm sure there will be more.

Howerver It has a good running motor and all the main components were in good shape other than the frame being cut on the back.

These don't come up for sale very often around here and when they do they are usually ones that have been restored and people want $2500 - 4000 for them. So I should prob just buy this one.

What do you guys think?