1980 GS1100L - Suitable project bike?

[rzelman]

Worst case, have them re-chromed.

[J_C]

nice, thanks guys!

[chef1366]

Kerker

Kerker still makes a 4-1 that fits this bike.

[J_C]

Thanks!

Bike is home. thank you all for all of your help! Its kind of a scary prospect jumping headlong into a project like this, but I'm extremely grateful for all of the support I got. You're the best!! =D>

[J_C]

I wanted to post in this. This was my first post / thread. It has been two years, two days, and the bike still isn't done...


But I did want to take the opportunity to thank everyone here. There has been a lot of time, money, and sweat put into this project (which IS nearing absolute completion by the way) but I could have never done it without this amazing site and the gurus that frequent it. Here here! =D>

[BassCliff]

Hey! This is good news Mr. J_C!

Do you have any new pictures?


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[beachbum3478]

wait since when did the gs1100L's have 16 valve engines. my 82 L has an 8v engine.

[earlfor]

1980 was the first year for the 16 valve L engine. If your 82 has an 8 valve, then someone has swapped out the correct 16 valve engine in it for an earlier model 8 valve. Unless of course, you have a GL model, then they are 8 valve. :-)

Earl

wait since when did the gs1100L's have 16 valve engines. my 82 L has an 8v engine.

[J_C]

Hey! This is good news Mr. J_C!
Do you have any new pictures?

I do! It's not quite a glamour shot, but here you go

Before:


After:

[dtkid]

Just a note: I have an 80' & 81' GS750 and an 80' GS1100. I think you'll find that most of the parts (seat, cables, instruments, wiring harness, coils, even a 4:1 exhaust,etc.) are interchangeable.

The "interchangeabiltiy" ceases with the 1982 year. So most of the stuff you find on eBay for the GS750s can be used on your GS1100 as long as the years are 80' & 81'.

In fact...even the carbs and carb boots off a 750 will work fine on your 1100 (you obviously won't be peaking the machines hp) but in a pinch they do work.

[mortation]

yea 82 - 83 is the odd balls and its a pita to find some parts for those bikes (I know, I have an 83 850L)

[Greg O.]

JC,

That looks GREAT. How does it run and ride now? I always said a car runs better if it looks better. Better gas milage right after a wax job:-D

Nice work,

Greg O

[groundshock]

If I'm not mistaken, the 16V 1100 L was an 80MY only bird.

In fact, thats the first one i've ever seen. Everything else in the 1100L models was 8V IIRC.

Nice job you've done so far.

[J_C]

Thanks guys! It runs pretty ok, got some loud annoying popping still which I hope to have figured out this weekend. Have been focussing on electricals lately, new horns, replacing bullet connectors with spades, chasing drains. But in terms of rideability, it's pretty much all there. Just going to tune the popping, and I'm waiting for an MC to get sent to me so I can update the look a little bit

[chef1366]