can i convert a 8 valve to a 16 valve 1100

[82gs1100]

ya i haven't ridden it. i did ride it and then found out it had a dead cylinder. I'm going by its a 545lb bike with 92 to 98hp. the 16 valve was 111hp or so iv read. i would like to add some more power to make the gs a little more fun sense a 98 hp 545 lb shaft driven bike w/ a 225lb rider loses a little power. i said the gs was down on power because some thing was wrong and my kz550 was faster then the gs was to give you a idea of how much power was lost. The 550 wasn't fast but faster then a 1100 running on 3 cylinders. i just want to add some more power to gain back the power lost due to the bikes weight, my fat ass and shaft drive.
a simple no u cant practically convert your 8valve to a 16valve would have answered my question. not to offend any one that gave a funny answer. like buy a machine shop
ya im going to just ride it but there is a chance i mite need to rebuild the motor(running on 3 cylinders)
i guess the add ons aren't worth it then if I'm going to have reliability issues.
thanks

[jimcor]

p
ya im going to just ride it but there is a chance i mite need to rebuild the motor(running on 3 cylinders)
.
thanks

Man, slow down. Deep breaths and relax, mellow out. OK. No more Red Bull and espresso shooters for you today. Just because your bike is running on 3 jugs doesn't mean you're going to have to rebuild the motor.

One step at a time. Simplest and most basic stuff gets checked first and on and on.

Motor rebuilds, Hop up heads, Cams, Pipes, Pods...Is your battery charged? Have you checked spark plug caps and wires? Coils? Wiring harness?

SLOW DOWN!!!

Another Goofball in another thread wanted to know what was the number one thing to add to his bike to make it faster. The answer should have been...NOTHING. Just make sure everything was up to original specifications and in proper working order, time and tune. You can't go faster than original till you know how fast original is. Keeping a 25 year old bike in spec and tune is work enough for anyone. After you achieve that, then talk about performance, but I'll bet an 1100 pumping out a good 90 horse at the crank will be plenty.

[duaneage]

YOur dead cylinder is probably a maladjusted valve. If you check the valve clearances your bound to find a valve that is not adjusted.

2 Valve GS engines go forever. 60K is possible on that engine easily. But the valves have shims that need to be checked ever 15K after the breakin. There have been a few members on this site that had little or no compression and after adjusting the valves the bike ran like a scalded dog.

95 HP on 550lbs is not really slow, unless your drag racing and all that. Name a car with a 5.5 lbs/hp ratio Even with you on it at 800 lbs thats 8lbs a horse. How fast do you want to go anyway?

[Big Jay]

Then again it has such a great stock cylinder head that a 1200cc kit would really wake it up
Jay

[82gs1100]

i thought a valve adjustment mite be nessasary. ill see what i got when its running properly. would the valves need adjusting after 8400 miles?
maby just a carb rebuild. when this motor needs a rebuild ill go big.

[GS1100GLMLA]

Hi 82GS1100,

I have the 1982 GS1100GL. The previous owner put an aftermarket 4 into 1 exhaust on it and a jet kit. I have it tuned up properly with a K&N filter drop in and I don't think you will be disappointed with power once yours is tuned properly. It will pull a wheelie in first gear without too much of a problem and when you give it full throttle you have to be ready to hang on. I have a front windshield fairing and a backrest/luggage rack and it will go well over 110 mph if your brave enough.

1. Clean/adjust/synch the carbs.
2. Change the plugs.
3. Check/clean/change the air filter.
4. Check/adjust the valves.
5. Check/change the spark plug wires and or the coils.
6. Check/change all the fluids.

There's a lot more you can do but after all that then see how it runs.

[Hap Call]

I think he asked a reasonable question...he is new to the bike and is learning a lot about what it can or cannot do. He may have had access to a 16 valve head and was wondering if it was "do-able". Some of the guys here got a little too aggressive just because he asked a question that he did not know the answer to. He'll probably hesitate next time he wants to ask a question about the bike in fear that he will be criticized. That is not something we want around here.

Hap

[Planecrazy]

Well said, Hap! One should never be afraid to ask ANY question about their bike on this forum. We ARE and have always been a friendly, inclusive group, so don't let a couple of harsh replies throw you off.

Having said that, I do agree with the overall sentiment that before you go looking for things to change it makes sense to get the motor working properly in its stock form. My 1100G with full fairing and bags (usually full of heavy tools, etc.) has no difficulty carving up twisties and keeping up with the 16-valvers 99% of the time (there are several "E" model owners who will attest to the capabilities of my big "G"). The bike, fully dressed, has reached 131mph (GPS verified on a closed course, of course ) with more top end available, and has no trouble lifting the front end any time the rider (not me) wishes.

In short, check your electricals (plugs/wires/coils/etc.), check your fuel delivery system, clean/rebuild the carbs, and then see where you're at. I suspect that once you've got her "worked out" you won't feel that you're "missing out" on any power.

Good Luck!

[jimcor]

I think he asked a reasonable question...he is new to the bike and is learning a lot about what it can or cannot do. He may have had access to a 16 valve head and was wondering if it was "do-able". Some of the guys here got a little too aggressive just because he asked a question that he did not know the answer to. He'll probably hesitate next time he wants to ask a question about the bike in fear that he will be criticized. That is not something we want around here.

Hap

Ya reckon? Didn't seem anybody got nasty to me. Seems he was being warned to take things one step at a time. He just got the bike, he's new to Suzukis, in a previous thread he mentioned he wasn't aware his bike was only banging on 3. So to compensate he wants to put on a 16 valve head. I'm sure you'll agree that's not the place to start.

Take a look at some of the projects guys are working on in the various threads. How many have done serious frame and suspension work and bought intake and exhaust systems for motors they're not even sure run? We've got a guy that has spent close to 2 grand on an old nail, but has never even drained the old engine oil. How is he going to feel when he drains the oil if he finds a handful of bronze chips? Or suddenly discovers a fried rotor and R/R. Two grand was his total budget for the project...

If somebody warned me I was doing something bass akwards and others agreed, I might just listen. Lots of cardboard boxes full of big dreams. Nothing wrong with dreams, but reality comes first.

[Grandpa]

I'm with Jimcor. No one, including me, got nasty or "harsh" with this fellow. If anyone thinks anyone else did, too bad. Some comments are forceful, but none of them are nasty.

Sometimes reality, as Jimcor says, has to be driven in a forceful manner into someone.

[Planecrazy]

Nick,

Reread Hap's post. He NEVER said anyone was nasty - Jim made an unfortunate mischaracterization in his response. Hap only said that several responses were "aggressive" (in their tone), and I would agree that in trying to help out a "Newbie" it probably wasn't necessary to jump on him like that.

Remember ... I agree with the overall sentiment offered, but I stated it in a way that was less like an attack and more like helpful advice. I'm actually surprised that with your background you wouldn't have suggested a similar approach. We are, after all, attempting to edumakate a new owner on how to proceed...

Regards,

[Grandpa]

Whatever, Planecrazy...

Jim's characterization of Hap's post was accurate, in my estimation. I'm off this thread.

Nasty Grandpa

[Planecrazy]

Whatever, Planecrazy...

Jim's characterization of Hap's post was accurate, in my estimation. I'm off this thread.

Nasty Grandpa

That's right, Nick. Once again your responses amaze and astound. How could Jim's take be accurate if it puts words in Hap's mouth that were never said? You were a teacher for pete's sake -- I thought accuracy was important. Oh well, I guess not. Way to go, in terms of turning a simple disagreement into a petty argument...:roll:

[jimcor]

Nick,

Reread Hap's post. He NEVER said anyone was nasty - Jim made an unfortunate mischaracterization in his response. Hap only said that several responses were "aggressive" (in their tone), and I would agree that in trying to help out a "Newbie" it probably wasn't necessary to jump on him like that.
Regards,

Hey baldy! Go plug a old 80's wheeze of a front tire. We're doing just fine jumping on people with our hob nailed boots and whackin em with a truncheon. I be dammed ifin we need an inturpiter. Be lookin fer you at Brown County. (tic)

[Planecrazy]

Hey baldy! Go plug a old 80's wheeze of a front tire. We're doing just fine jumping on people with our hob nailed boots and whackin em with a truncheon. I be dammed ifin we need an inturpiter. Be lookin fer you at Brown County. (tic)

Don't make me come down to Brown County and ... oh wait, I'm already coming ... and pull this car over!! You and me -- right here (ok, how about at Maldonado's), right now (ok, a week from Friday then) ... I'll buy the first round! ;-)

Oh, and about that "baldy" comment, "I resemble that remark!!"