Is upgrade possible?

[Guest]

I currently ride an 81 GS1000GL. I'm looking to get a little more pep out of it. Does anybody know if a 16 valve head from a 1000 or 1100 would bolt on and what else would I be looking at to make this work.Obviously cams. How interchangeable are the 1000 and 1100 engines anyways. Would a Weisco piston kit for my own engine be the way to go or would it be better to buy a more or less complete 1100 engine and go that route. Living in the smallest province in Canada doesn't help matters. If I had to bore the engine for a piston kit. I'd probably have to ship it to Montreal or somewhere. I'd really like to hear from some experienced guys on this and what route they would take if they were wanting to beef up this same bike...Thanks one and all..C.C

[blowerbike]

the 16v. head is a no go.
i'll let the 8 valver guys handle the other questions.

[oldgrumpy]

slip a gsx1100 in... great!!!!!!

hi guys i did live in ORBOST VICTORIA AUSTRALIA ..for 3 years,,, and i briefly met a guy that had a gs1000 chain drive and did a straight swap for a gsx1100 which he had purchased the 1100 from motabits in outer melbourne... alot more grunt straight off... and it was not expensive hope this helps you regards david

[rapidray]

Then the was a good machinist because the pistons are different & the cylinder stud spacing is WAAAYYY different! It CAN be done but it isn't worth the work unless you are trying to win a bet or are just a glutton for punishment & have all of the machines! Unless you are referring to swapping the entire engine & that is done all the time. Ray.

[crazy canuck]

Do you mean if I could get my hands on an 1100 engine I could just bolt it right in Ray. The bike is a shaft drive so I'm assuming I'd need a shaft drive 1100.Would a newer gxr engine bolt up Ray and would I have to change electronics for a gxr engine Ray.Probably have to convert to a chain drive if I could use a new engine but I wouldn't mind doing that. Thanks for the replies fellas. I'm pretty handy at the mechanics but I just don't know enough about the differences in the engines just yet..C.C

[Steve]

An 1100 shaft-drive engine will pretty much bolt right in in place of your 1000, but forget any thoughts about converting the bike to a chain drive.

If you want a higher-performance chain-drive bike, sell the shaftie and get the one you really want.

.

[rapidray]

Sorry, didn't realize you have a shaft driver. Best off cleaning it up, getting it running great, & selling to get what you really want. Ray.

[Mysuzyq]

Lots of great deals on GS1100Es, esp this time of the year, with the buying/ selling season winding down. I think you would like one, and would probably work out cheaper than all the mods/machine work.

[Steve]

Lots of great deals on GS1100Es, esp this time of the year, with the buying/ selling season winding down. I think you would like one, and would probably work out cheaper than all the mods/machine work.

Does TheCafeKid still have his '83 1100ES?

Great bike, if it's still available.

Great price, even comes with some extra parts.

.

[Mysuzyq]

He is in P.E.I. Canada....there are decent 1100Es in the $1200-$1500 range available even in Ontario, but shipping would raise the ultimate cost considerably.

[crazy canuck]

I also have an 81 GS1000G model also that is complete and works good. I guess the best thing to do would be to put some fresh paint and decals on that. Carb kit and valve shims also and sell it outright. I bought it at the same time as I bought my L model but the bike is too good and complete to use for a parts bike so I guess there will be a decent 81 1000G for sale next spring..Thanks for the replies fellas C.C