GS1100E Money Pit Thread

[doctorgonzo]

Yep, I just measured and the RF900 stem is a full 1" shorter than the 1100 stem. I'l have to check diameter at the base and see of getting the stems pressed out and swapped is feasible or I'll have to look at another route. The forks are the right length, 29.5", so different triples for 43mm forks also a possibility.

[Mysuzyq]

I haven't decided. The paint is really clean. I haven't found a dent or a paint chip yet, so as a budget measure for now, probably leave it black, and do a paint job in the future. I am a little tempted by Maroon, but not right away I think.

Understandable, since your other GS is also black. I like the maroon (burgundy) too, but if I own mine long enough to need a repaint, it will be black like yours, and Claude's (SoloSuzuki's) beautiful 1100.....just looks mean & nasty!
You could also slowly acquire another set of maroon bodywork like Isleoman has done, to alternate, as mood dictates.
Tony.

[doctorgonzo]

Ok, as I look at other options before checking out how much a shop would cost to press the stem out of the RF900 lower triple and replace with the stem from the 1100 lower triple (and if the diameters are the same so it's even possible). Does anybody know what years/models of other zooks use the 43mm forks, and if the streering stem is the longer (what did I say, 9") like the 1100?

[doctorgonzo]

I just found Isleofman's cross reference on fork diameters, still wonder about stem length though.

[doctorgonzo]

Confirmed the 94 to 97 RF900 uses the same diameter stem as the 82 1100E, they use the same bearings. So the problem is the 1" shorter length. Looks like the economical option is to press the stem out of the 1100 lower triple and into the RF900 lower triple. I'll post a pick of what the upper triple off the RF900 looks like tonight. It's clip on (don't know what to call them) style bars. each handle bar is an idividual bar that clamps into a holder on top of the upper triple.

[doctorgonzo]

Man, as I start measuring amocking this up the front really is a PIA isn't it. Here's the upper triple. Similar to a GSXR?









First off, the right angle for the gauge cluster (if I keep the stock one) mount tabs will be a tough, trial and error operation. Second, the pre-made billet headlight mounts for the forks.. OUCH! pricey.

I also measured to confirm the wider 120 wheel and rotors won't fit in the stock forks, and it appears no (just eliminating that possibility) full 1.5" wider from outside of rotor to outside of rotor and not nearly that much space between forks.

Still looking at other years and models as well. The RF900 is just the "free" option.

[48woody]

Following are 43mm forks: Hope this helps

43 Honda CR-125R (84-86)
43 Honda CR-125R (87)
43 Honda CR-125R (88-89)
43 Honda CR-125R (92-93)
43 Honda CR-125R (94-96)
43 Honda CR-125R (94-96)
43 Honda CR-250R (82)
43 Honda CR-250R (83-84)
43 Honda CR-250R (85-87)
43 Honda CR-250R (88)
43 Honda CR-250R (92-94)
43 Honda CR-250R (95)
43 Honda CR-250R (95)
43 Honda XR-400R (96-04)
43 Honda CR-480R (82)
43 Honda CR-480R (83)
43 Honda CR-500R (84)
43 Honda CR-500R (85-87)
43 Honda CR-500R (88)
43 Honda CR-500R (92-94)
43 Honda CR-500R (95)
43 Honda CR-500R (95)
43 Honda XR-500R (83-84)
43 Honda CBR-600F4 (99-00)
43 Honda CBR-600F4 (01-04)
43 Honda XR-600R (85-00)
43 Honda XR-650L (93-04)
43 Honda VFR-750R (90)
43 Honda VFR-800/A (02-04) "Interceptor/Interceptor ABS"
43 Honda CB-900F (02-03)
43 Honda CBR-929RR (00-01), CBR-929RE (01), CBR-954RR (02-03)
43 Honda CB-1000 (94-95)
43 Honda RVT-1000R (00-04)
43 Honda CBR-1100XX (97-03)
43 Kawasaki KX-125B2/C1/C2/D1/E1-E2 (83-87)
43 Kawasaki KX-125 F1 (88)
43 Kawasaki KX-125 F1 (88)
43 Kawasaki KX-125 H2 (91)
43 Kawasaki KX-125 H2 (91)
43 Kawasaki KDX-200C1-C3 (86-88)
43 Kawasaki KDX-200E1-E4 (89-92)
43 Kawasaki KDX-200H1-H10 (95-04)
43 Kawasaki KDX-200H1-H10 (95-04)
43 Kawasaki KDX-250D1-D4 (91-94)
43 Kawasaki KDX-250D1-D4 (91-94)
43 Kawasaki KLX-250D2-D4 (94-96)
43 Kawasaki KLX-250D2-D4 (94-96)
43 Kawasaki KX-250C1-C2/D1-D2/E1 (83-87)
43 Kawasaki KX-250F1 (88)
43 Kawasaki KX-250H2 (91)
43 Kawasaki KX-250H2 (91)
43 Kawasaki KLX-300 A2-A9 (97-04)
43 Kawasaki KX-500A1-A2/B1-B2/C1 (83-87)
43 Kawasaki KX-500 D1 (88)
43 Kawasaki KX-500 D1 (88)
43 Kawasaki KX-500E3-E8 (91-96)
43 Kawasaki KX-500E3-E8 (91-96)
43 Kawasaki KLX-650A1-A3 (93-95)
43 Kawasaki KLX-650A1-A3 (93-95)
43 Kawasaki KLX-650D1 (96)
43 Kawasaki KLX-650D1 (96)
43 Kawasaki ZX-750H1/H2 "Ninja (ZX-7)" (89-90)
43 Kawasaki ZX-750H1/H2 "Ninja (ZX-7)" (89-90)
43 Kawasaki ZX-750N1-N2 "Ninja (ZX-7RR)" (96-97)
43 Kawasaki ZR-1100 A1-A4 (92-95)
43 Kawasaki ZR-1100 A1-A4 (92-95)
43 Kawasaki ZR-1100 C3-C4 (99-00)
43 Kawasaki ZX-1100C1-C4 "Ninja (ZX-11)" (90-93)
43 Kawasaki ZX-1100C1-C4 "Ninja (ZX-11)" (90-93)
43 Kawasaki ZX-1200 C1-C3 (02-04)
43 Suzuki RM-125 E/F/G (84-86)
43 Suzuki RM-125 H (87)
43 Suzuki RM-125 J (88)
43 Suzuki RM-125 J (88)
43 Suzuki DR-250 L/M/N/P (90-93)
43 Suzuki DR-250 L/M/N/P (90-93)
43 Suzuki DR-250 SL/SM/SN/SP/SER/SES (90-95)
43 Suzuki DR-250 SL/SM/SN/SP/SER/SES (90-95)
43 Suzuki DR-Z250 K1-K4 (01-04)
43 Suzuki DR-Z250 K1-K4 (01-04)
43 Suzuki RM-250 D/E/F/G/H (83-87)
43 Suzuki RM-250J (88)
43 Suzuki RM-250J (88)
43 Suzuki DR-350 L/M/N/P/R/S/T/V/W/X (90-99)
43 Suzuki DR-350 L/M/N/P/R/S/T/V/W/X (90-99)
43 Suzuki DR-350 SL/SM/SN/SP/SER/SES/SET/SEV/SEW/SEX (90-99)
43 Suzuki DR-350 SL/SM/SN/SP/SER/SES/SET/SEV/SEW/SEX (90-99)
43 Suzuki RM-465 X/Z (81-82)
43 Suzuki RM-500 D/E (83-84)
43 Suzuki SP-600 F (85)
43 Suzuki DR-650 SET/SEV/SEW/SEX/SEY/SEK1/SEK2/SEK3/SEK4 (96-04)
43 Suzuki GSX-R750 J/K/L (88-90)
43 Suzuki GSX-R750 WR/WS (94-95)
43 Suzuki RF-900 RR/RS/RZS/RT/RV (94-97)
43 Suzuki RF-900 RR/RS/RZS/RT/RV (94-97)
43 Suzuki DL-1000 K2/K3/K4 (02-04)
43 Suzuki TL-1000 SV/SW/SX/SY/SK1 (97-01)
43 Suzuki TL-1000 RW/RX/RY/RK1/RK2RK3 (98-03)
43 Suzuki GSX-1100 GM/GN/GP (91-93)
43 Suzuki GSX-1100 GM/GN/GP (91-93)
43 Suzuki GSX-R1100 WS/WT/WV/WW (95-98)
43 Suzuki GSF-1200 K1-K3 (01-03)
43 Suzuki GSF-1200 K1-K3 (01-03)
43 Suzuki GSF-1200 SV/SAV/SW/SX/SY/SK1-SK4 "Bandit" (97-04)
43 Suzuki GSF-1200 SV/SAV/SW/SX/SY/SK1-SK4 "Bandit" (97-04)
43 Suzuki GSX-1300 RX/RY/RK1/RK2/RK3/RK4 "Hayabusa" (99-04)
43 Yamaha YZ-125L/N (84-85)
43 Yamaha YZ-125 S/T (86-87)
43 Yamaha YZ-125 U (88)
43 Yamaha YZ-125 B (91)
43 Yamaha YZ-125 D1/E1/F1/G1 (92-95)
43 Yamaha IT-200 L/N/S (84-86)
43 Yamaha IT-250 K (83)
43 Yamaha TTR-250N/NC/P/PC (01-02)
43 Yamaha TT-250RM/RMC (99-00)
43 Yamaha WR-250 ZB/ZD/ZE/ZF/ZG/ZH/ZJ (91-97)
43 Yamaha YZ-250 H/J/K/L/N/S/T (81-87)
43 Yamaha YZ-250 U (88)
43 Yamaha YZ-250 B (91)
43 Yamaha YZ-250 D1/E1 (92-93)
43 Yamaha YZ-465 H (81)
43 Yamaha IT-490 K/L (83-84)
43 Yamaha YZ-490 U/W/A (88-90)
43 Yamaha WR-500 ZD/ZE (92-93)
43 Yamaha TT-600 K/L/N/S (83-86)
43 Yamaha YZF-R6 L/LC/M/MC/N/NC/P/PC (99-02), YZF-R6 SN/SNC (01)
43 Yamaha YZF-R6 SR/SS (03-04)
43 Yamaha FZR-1000 W/WC/A/AC (89-90)
43 Yamaha FZR-1000 W/WC/A/AC (89-90)
43 Yamaha FZR-1000 W/WC/A/AC (89-90)
43 Yamaha VMX-12 E/EC/F/FC/G/GC/H/HC/J/JC/EK/EKC (93-98)
43 Yamaha VMX-12 E/EC/F/FC/G/GC/H/HC/J/JC/EK/EKC (93-98)
43 Yamaha VMX-12 E/EC/F/FC/G/GC/H/HC/J/JC/EK/EKC (93-98)
43 Yamaha VMX-12 L/LC/M/MC/N/NC/P/PC/R/RC/S/SC (99-04)
43 Yamaha XVZ-13 AH/AHC - AM/AMC (96-00) "Royal Star"
43 Yamaha XVZ-13 AN/ANC (01) "Royal Star Boulevard"
43 Yamaha XVZ-13 ATH/ATHC-ATKJ/ATKC (96-98) "Royal Star"
43 Yamaha XVZ-13 ATL/ATLC (99) "Royal Star Tour Classic"
43 Yamaha XVZ-13 ATM/ATMC (00) "Royal Star Classic"
43 Yamaha XVZ-13LTJ/LTK (97-98) "Royal Star"
43 Yamaha XVZ-13 LTMJ/LTMC-LTN/LTNC (01-02) "Royal Star Tour Deluxe"
43 Yamaha XVZ-13 TFL/TFLC-TFS/TFSC (99-04) "Royal Star Venture"
43 Yamaha XVZ-13 TFSM (00) "Venture MM Ltd. Ed."
43 Yamaha XVZ-13 TFSR/TFMS (03-04) "Royal Star Midnight Venture"
43 Yamaha XV-1600 AL/ALC-AP/APC (99-02) "Road Star"
43 Yamaha XV-1600 ALM/ALMC (02) "Road Star MM Ltd. Ed."
43 Yamaha XV-1600 ATL/ATLC-ATR/ATRC (99-03) "Road Star Silverado"
43 Yamaha XV-1600 ASN/ASNC (01) "Midnight Star"
43 Yamaha XV17 AS/ASC/ATS/ATSC (04) "Roadstar"

[doctorgonzo]

Thanks Woody. If the RF900 triples just don't work right I'm headed to other options.

Bandits are perfect, but everybody wants an arm and a leg for one.

In checking it out, the upper triple options are GSXR, or any number of other options, use clip ons.
Bandit, which mounts a conventional handlebar
The RF900 I already have, kind of a missing link between the two.

[doctorgonzo]

I finally got a chance to pull the tank last night, nothing seriously out of place. As I suspected when I saw the yellow wires, it has a beat up set of Accel coils under there. The harness hasn't been hacked too bad, but it shows it's age big time, cruddy connectors, very hard wiring. The harness is still available NOS, but $196, more expensive than my G was 2 years ago. I'll have to dig into it a little, and see what it will take to cleran up the stock one, or if it's not worth the effort, grab a NOS.

[ironsheik]

Hey Gonzo. Your best bet is GSXR stuff from everything I've researched. Mainly because there are a ton of parts available. No matter what you'll need to fab something for the guages, fab the rear caliper torque arm mount and get some new headlight mounts. Search Cafe headlight bracket on Ebay and you'll see cheapies that fit different fork sizes. I now have a 180 tire on my GS1100 swingarm and it fits but is a bit tight.

If you didn't see, here's where I ended up:

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=150242

I think you're going to be dealing with a lot of back and forth if you try and make the RF gear work. Good luck....

[doctorgonzo]

Is that a 180 on a 5.5 rim you fit into a standard E swingarm? It just didn't look to me like it would fit.

The rear options seem to be the standard swingarm with a modified torque arm, and the tire very tight.

Use a wider (like the RF900, which is very similar to the bandit) swing arm, where the tire clears fine, and the torque arm is already on the bottom, but it would have to have the monoshock mount taken off, dual shock mounts added, and potentially shaved on the outside a smidge.

After more thread reading.

Looks like trying to cram the 180 into the stock swinger, and moving the torque arm to underneath is the easiest option. Hopefully a mock up this weekend.

[ironsheik]

It's definitely the easiest. The tire rubbed just so slightly for the first ride but the chain needed adjustment pretty quickly and that pulled the tire far enough back.

[doctorgonzo]

On the front the only reason I am looking at a front swap is to run the matching 3 spoke wheel (and the modern rubber). I actually like the look of the stock forks, but initial measurements don't look like it will cram in there. With rotors mounted the 3 spoke is about 1/2" wider (outside of rotor to outside of rotor) then the stocker, and boy, it MIGHT cram between the stock forks, but the clearance will be tiny if it fits. Also, not sure how the smaller wheel would handle with the length of the stock forks. If it would fit (not likely, but maybe), there is a way to fab a plate to mount the calipers, and the handling wasn't degraded, I'd actually be ok with the stock forks. The if... if... if... nature of all that doesn'r seem likely, but some time this weekend to mock up will answer for sure.

Re-measured, and IF it would go, the clearance on the left side between rotor and fork would be in the 1/00ths of mm. I may try it just for laughs, but that looks like, as thought, a dead end.

[posplayr]

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=152079

There was a thread recently that discussed 1150 forks mixed with 17" wheels and a set of forks for sale above. Of course you can also go 1st Gen GSXR or bandit forks if you wanna stay RSU.

Although the 1st Gen stuff is a bit of a pain to find good parts, the 88 1100 18" 3 spoke wheels are a very easy fit.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=152117

[doctorgonzo]

Took the morning off, so stopping by a local breaker on the way in to see what he has as well.

Jut thinking fully through it, to have all the options in my head. Also, making sure I fully explore all the options with my "free" parts. If making them work (like the 17"x5.5" wheels) causes expense, or too much trouble somewhere else, I won't go down that road.