Forks, bearings and brakes - 1100 front on a 750

[portdave]

First off I would like to thanks all of you for your sharing of information. Especially posplayr and Tarbash 27 recently. I have had this bike for about 6 months and I have worked on it a lot and ridden it alot. Enjoying both.

I have done alot of reading and searching before I ask these questions.

Front suspension

I am now tearing into the forks. I have had a slight wobble at all speeds but especially on curves with some bumps like a RR track.

The PO put a front end from an 83 1100. (ED as best as I can tell from searching the microfiche)

I got the forks all apart finally and I am in the process of cleaning them etc. Got some progressive springs to put in. I thought they were progressive in there but this model had progressive wound springs from the factory. The PS springs are thicker and wound differently.

My main questions are as follows:

I felt some notchiness on the head so I proceeded to take that apart as well. The head bearings were the original type with ball bearings in a tray. I thought it was supposed to be tapered roller bearings? I already knocked out the races with a big RR spike.

It also looks like the PO had the underneath part of the upper triple tree machined larger to accept the collar on the adjuster. Not sure what this adjuster is from as again from the microfiche it looks like it should be a flat piece.

I need to order the stem bearings. Should I just get the tapered set from all bearings for the 83? What other mod will I have to do?

I want to do this right so I am open to suggestions. Another set of triples?

Brakes

I was going to replace the brake pads (round type) but noticed some corrosion near the piston. I have the extra set of calipers that have the square pads. I think these were from the 1100. Any problem with using them instead? Anyone need any EBC round pads?

One last question - What is better about the 1100 front end as opposed to using another 37mm type setup from an 850 or something else. It seems like the extra things like anti-dive and air are disabled once you put progressive spings in.

Thanks for the thoughts and sorry so long.....

David

[SqDancerLynn1]

Sq pads & round pads used different sized disks. The 850 forks are longer than the 750 and ? 1100 I have heard are shorter
I would get tripple replacement tree ass. that has roller brgs & fitment for dual disks. Then contact www.allballsracing.com to get the correct type brgs to convert your 750 to the tapered brgs

[Tarbash 27]

Ok, if your lower stem was machined so the lower part where the bearing sits on, is the same size as the rest, use tapered roller bearings for a GS750. If your lower stem is not machined, like mine. The lower part where the bearing sits is thicker than the rest of the stem. I got a special tapered roller bearing with a bigger inner diameter but same sized outer diameter to fitmy gs750. This might sound confusing. Basically, the gs1100 stock lower tapered bearing is mucher bigger than a gs750 stock lower taper bearing and will not fit.

[portdave]

Sq pads & round pads used different sized disks. The 850 forks are longer than the 750 and ? 1100 I have heard are shorter
I would get tripple replacement tree ass. that has roller brgs & fitment for dual disks. Then contact www.allballsracing.com to get the correct type brgs to convert your 750 to the tapered brgs

Thanks.

I have the dual disk already. My bike is a 750E. I already have put on some drilled rotors. I guess I will have to see if the other calipers work with what I have.

I will get in touch with all balls. I looked up the parts already but I may have to take some measurements. I saw the modification on their website but I wasnt' sure what I needed to do since I had triples on their from the 83 already with the larger opening for the 37 mm.

Kinda feel like I am playing detective.....

[tkent02]

Thanks.

I have the dual disk already. My bike is a 750E. I already have put on some drilled rotors. I guess I will have to see if the other calipers work with what I have.

I will get in touch with all balls. I looked up the parts already but I may have to take some measurements. I saw the modification on their website but I wasnt' sure what I needed to do since I had triples on their from the 83 already with the larger opening for the 37 mm.

Kinda feel like I am playing detective.....

I put those newer style calipers on the older GSes whenever I can find them, they stop better and squeal less, they fit the same.
I'll take the round pads if you still have them, I have one GS that still has the round type calipers.

[portdave]

Ok, if your lower stem was machined so the lower part where the bearing sits on, is the same size as the rest, use tapered roller bearings for a GS750. If your lower stem is not machined, like mine. The lower part where the bearing sits is thicker than the rest of the stem. I got a special tapered roller bearing with a bigger inner diameter but same sized outer diameter to fitmy gs750. This might sound confusing. Basically, the gs1100 stock lower tapered bearing is mucher bigger than a gs750 stock lower taper bearing and will not fit.

Matt,

I am a little confused with the whole thing. It looks like the lower part of the stem used to be a little larger. I can feel a slight ridge on the lower inch or so. Up near the top of the stem near the threads it is smaller for about 2 inches.

I have a local guy that has lots of parts. I may try and look at another triple and compare. Just not sure why the one I had didn't have tapered bearing on there with the 1100 front end already installed.

Are the races the same?

I may just have to call them and see...

Thanks again.

David

[portdave]

I put those newer style calipers on the older GSes whenever I can find them, they stop better and squeal less, they fit the same.
I'll take the round pads if you still have them, I have one GS that still has the round type calipers.

Thanks. That helps alot. I will get some new square pads and then I will be in touch. You can email me your info. davidportanova at hotmail dot com

I got them from Z1. I will be calling them probably Monday.

I need to get the head bearings figured out first.

[Tarbash 27]

Are you running a gs1100e lower triple clamp in the first place? Do you have a picture of it?

[portdave]

Are you running a gs1100e lower triple clamp in the first place? Do you have a picture of it?

I think so....

It has the opening for the larger tubes. I have a leftover upper triple from the PO and that has a smaller opening.

I am working on the pics. I never tried to post pics here. I just signed up with photobucket and I am uploading as we speak.

I just sent you an email. photobucket is taking awhile.....


David

[portdave]

Pics of stem and triples etc.

Here is one of the underneath of the upper triple tree.


Here is one of the lower triple and stem with the races and bearing cup all slid down on the stem except for the very top one.



Forks in progress


Another shot of tree




Thanks.

[portdave]

another pic

Tree with the races and bearing cups and adjuster with collar. Fits in machined upper.


Thanks so much.
David

[Tarbash 27]

Your upper clamp comes that way, it may look machined but that upper lock nut is suppose to fit there, thats how it comes. Your lower stem has been machined. The lower inch should have been fatter for the stock gs1100e bearing. Since its machined down, a gs750 tapered roller bearing kit will fit just fine.

[portdave]

Thanks Matt. I will get a set ordered from all balls. I really appreciate your time and help. Merry Christmas.

David

[bonanzadave]

FYI. Tighten that big bearing nut before you tighten the fork clamp bolts on the tree. That may be obvious to you but I made the mistake of trying to adjust that nut without loosening the fork pinch bolts. That dont work...

[portdave]

FYI. Tighten that big bearing nut before you tighten the fork clamp bolts on the tree. That may be obvious to you but I made the mistake of trying to adjust that nut without loosening the fork pinch bolts. That dont work...

Thanks for the reminder. Always nice to have people looking out for you.

I hope to be able to ride this again before the year is out......Just depends on the parts.