1983 Suzuki GS1100ED --- "Big Boy"

[ptexotik]

I'm going to be honest. I will not be keeping this bike. It's simply too big for me and it's a wreck waiting to happen.

then like me, you're going to love the look of the Katana ... not necessarily the ride! If you think the E is a handful ... trust me ...

[Flaming Chainsaws]

then like me, you're going to love the look of the Katana ... not necessarily the ride! If you think the E is a handful ... trust me ...

Yes, I think you said the Katana was heavier or harder handling? Can't remember.... I really do love the look of the Katana but again, too big of a bike for me .

I used to push my GS450 everywhere. Farthest I pushed it was almost 2 miles. If the 1100E breaks down on the road, there is no way that I'll be able to push it more than 100 ft before I pass out LOL!

But yeah, I did a quick ride on the big 1100E. The power of it is addicting but scary. My speedometer doesn't work but I had up to third gear and 5,000 RPM and just WOW! I really think the big bike bug has gotten me .

So as for the ride, it went fairly well but was just around the neighborhood. Smooth acceleration, no backfiring, good handling despite it's weight. Oh! And there's some oil leaks haha!

It's a hard decision.

[Flaming Chainsaws]

Did another ride around the neighborhood. This clutch rattle is really getting to me. It only happens under 1,500 RPM which is anytime I'm at a stop. If I pull the clutch in, the noise goes away and so does the vibration.

To my understanding, it is not necessary to fix this clutch rattle. But I want to. I can see it already. I'm on the road at a stop light and the guy next to me is saying, "Dude, your engine is ****ed."

I'll do a search on it here but you can go ahead and give me a play by play on how to fix it .


Now back to the charging issue. According to my manual, it should be at 14.00v-15.5v at 5000 RPM. For my bike, it's at 13.5v at 5000 RPM. Obviously a little low. It has the stock stator from a 1981 GS1100E, duaneage Honda R/R and brand new electrical connectors on the stator and R/R. Stator sends out 80v like it should so it's working good.



And I have more proof for my electrical problem (no lights). Turn to page 21, section 39 on your Hayne's manual.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE

Oil pressure switch defective. Check switch according to the procedures in Chapter ??. Replace if defective.

Oil pressure indicator lamp wiring system defective. Check for pinched, shorted, disconnected, or damaged wiring.

I don't have any of the above so it makes a lot of sense on why I have no lights .

[landshark]

If you like Katanas but dont want a big bike you could look for an import 400cc from japan if you guys get them over there?

[Flaming Chainsaws]

If you like Katanas but dont want a big bike you could look for an import 400cc from japan if you guys get them over there?

The smallest Katana the US got was the GS550M. There is also a 650 shaft drive I think. And I'm positive we have the 750, 1000, and 1100 Katana's. But they are rare! I can never seem to find one... If it's in poor condition, I'll still take it!

Importing is sort of a pain. Know a guy that imported a Japanese sports car and he had to make it meet US standards and all that. Not sure what you do with bikes though.

[landshark]

I was thinking more along the lines of maybe someone had already imported one and was selling it?
If i ever move back to Japan, or have enough money to leave a bike there to use when we visit i would probably get one of these.

http://www.suzukicycles.org/GSX-series/GSX400S-Katana.shtml

[Flaming Chainsaws]

I was thinking more along the lines of maybe someone had already imported one and was selling it?
If i ever move back to Japan, or have enough money to leave a bike there to use when we visit i would probably get one of these.
http://www.suzukicycles.org/GSX-seri...S-Katana.shtml

They look cool . But I hear that the 4-cylinder 400cc bikes had problems with their crank shafts or something like that. I read that somewhere on here...

[Flaming Chainsaws]

For my clutch rattle problem, I will try tightening the big nut. What size is that? And while I'm in there, I'll try this.

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/storagecliff/images/quick_clutch_rattle_repair_by_tkent02.pdf

Then we'll see if it rattles or not.

[Flaming Chainsaws]

......

Didn't like the blue paint job that I did before. You could see all of the imperfections! Besides, it should be red .

Wet sanded the front fender with 220 grit. Nicely feathered edges. Is this good enough? Or do I need to remove all of the paint?


I just need to apply some rubbing alcohol then it will be ready for primer. But I'll do that after I sand down the right side cover.

[cowboyup3371]

Personally I would remove all the old paint so you have an even finish but don't just take my word as my stuff still didn't turn out great.

[Flaming Chainsaws]

Personally I would remove all the old paint so you have an even finish but don't just take my word as my stuff still didn't turn out great.

I would like to do that except it took me nearly 4 hours to sand all the way down to where it is now! The fender is plastic so I cannot use any aircraft stripper .

Yeah... Why not? I'll sand it all the way down tomorrow.

[psyguy]

The fender is plastic so I cannot use any aircraft stripper .

You CAN use the stripper on plastic. I used it on my headlight bucket. Though, I had to throw it away as it pretty much melted

What was I thinking ??? LOL

[Flaming Chainsaws]

You CAN use the stripper on plastic. I used it on my headlight bucket. Though, I had to throw it away as it pretty much melted

What was I thinking ??? LOL

LOL! I worded that wrong but you know what I mean.

My headlight bucket is metal though .

[loud et]

they sell whats called "sandable primer" goes on thick to fill imperfections and you can build up layers to hide ridges and what not. and sand it smooth between coats. look into it. ya gotta primer it anyways.

[Flaming Chainsaws]

they sell whats called "sandable primer" goes on thick to fill imperfections and you can build up layers to hide ridges and what not. and sand it smooth between coats. look into it. ya gotta primer it anyways.

Well, it's not really needed anymore since I feathered out all of the edges. I'm just gonna sand it all the way down. Besides, my carbs will be in the mail tomorrow so I have nothing else to do again haha!

The primer that I use is Dupli-Color's autobody filler primer.