More bottom end

[jpaul]

How long have you had this bike? I know the 1100's really start to pull at 6 grand, but they're still strong from 2500 on up. It almost sounds to me like you have partially blocked carb passages. I'd be tempted to run a couple of tanks through with a heavy dose of Sea Foam in the gas, just to see if it starts to improve from that.

[Hap Call]

my gs mechanic says my ignition has a timing plate and springs/weights he has an 1980 gs1100ex is ignition different on my 1981 1100ex? what mods need to be done to stock ignition?

The springs and weights are used advance your ignition curve as the motor builds RPMs...but it is still a electronic ignition. They are the same on the '80 and the '81 if they are both stock.

If you have an aftermarket exhaust but the stock jets are still in the carbs, you may find that all you need is rejetting. I don't agree with the statement that the GS is a peaky motorcycle, in fact, the GS1100E motor is considered a torque monster and pulls strongly from 2500RPM up through redline.

Hap

[mooks420n]

I will be re jetting and synching the carbs over the winter if I cannot find some 36mms,. also am looking for good stock exhaust to get my collector's plate, so that will dictate when i fiddle with carbs. So can I advance the ignition in my ex or not? with the plate you would figure it could be advanced as long as plate is slotted. thanks for the info btw : )

[Steve]

If you are looking for more bottom end, I think you will be disappointed when you install the 36s. The larger throats will not be as responsive to throttle changes at lower RPM, so will tend to make it even doggier. Stick with the 34s, make sure they are clean and jetted correctly.


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[Jethro]

Something is wrong. On both of my 1100's I can easily crusie around at 40mph in 5th (about 3k rpm or less) and still have gobs of torque to roll on to light speed in a snap. These bikes make massive torque at anything over 3500 rpms.

As Steve said, larger throttle bodies will only increase your top end power, and not by much without other mods. I have heard good things about degree-ing the stock cams on all the 1100's.

The springs that Hap talked about should be checked. I had one break and it was advancing too quickly. That made the bike miss like crazy down low, but once above 2800 rpm it took off. Also, the advance unit should be lubricated now and again. Check that out too.

Make sure your charging system is working well. I had a stator that had one leg burned out, so it was only charging above 5000 rpms. That made it seem doggy down low, but still rip up high.