Another project nearing completion - '83 GS1100E

[oldGSfan]

This was an engine-out and fully stripped but very complete bike I got a few months ago. I painted the frame, patched up some cosmetics like the scraped engine covers, and cleaned everything, new tires, rebuilt the Konis, forks, brakes (CBR900RR on the front) clutch, etc. It has 20K miles and nice blue bodywork which is the next task. I need to dab some dings and will clear-coat it as it's quite good. Carbs are rebuilt and set to stock specs which will go on soon. That's about it for the mechanicals. I have a Hindle pipe and K&N pods, but I always like the stock torquey feel. I'm tempted though for the 35lb weight loss. It has a SH775 (thanks Ed/Nessism) mounted where the ignitor goes.

To eagle eyes the anti-dive may look odd. I took them apart and chucked the top, put a nickel in, which fit just right in the space, then filled them with JB Weld and mounted them upside down. An alternative to expensive block-off plates.



It will join this red '83 which I refreshed in July/August. It runs beautifully, also 20K miles.

[steve murdoch]

Very nice!
Did you make the caliper hangers or did the CBR parts line up?

[oldGSfan]

Very nice!
Did you make the caliper hangers or did the CBR parts line up?

No, I didn't make them, they are custom-made plates. I'm not sure of the origin. Rather than screw the mounting bolt in from the outside, they are tapped and the bolt comes through from the inside. A bit more involved to mount than stock. So they are solid mounted calipers not floating like the stock ones. I guess the pads slide on the pin.

[trevor]

Very nice!! ………

[oldGSfan]

Carbs are on, that's always fun with the airbox. I removed the airbox rubbers and dipped them one by one in a mug of 2/3 xylene and 1/3 wintergreen oil. They were pretty hard. They swell up a lot and become pliable, and you can put the internal rings back in. I forgot about this when doing my other GS. It's doing fine without them.

The rubber shrinks back to size in a couple of days. I think they will gas out and become rock solid again but as long as I cinch them down when soft they should be fine when they eventually harden. It makes installing a lot easier. I got the other boots to the head from Partzilla, I think it's best to go new on them

Like a dummy I forgot to put the hoses on the bank of carbs while on the bench. A bit tricky to push them on but some silicone spray did the trick. I never learn.

[Rob S.]

I never learn.

But you do teach. Thank you.