1983 GS1100E wheels on 1982 GS1100E?

[Guest]

The previous owner of my 1982 GS1100E put 1983 GS1100E wheels on it and I pulled the rear wheel off to try to find out what is causing the bad handling in the corners and noticed that when I loosened the rear axle, about a 1/4" of space opened up between the swingarm and the axle spacer. It is like the spacers are not thick enough and so the swingarm is being squeezed together to take up that space when the axle is tight which of course puts the wheel out of alignment too. I looked at my dad's 82 and our spacers are exactly the same width. But, when I measured center-to-center between sprocket and rotor, the 82 wheel setup is 1/4" wider than my 1983 wheel setup. So, I think it is obvious I need to add a spacer but I guess my question to yall is should the spacer be added all on the right side or put two spacers one on each side to keep wheel centered or what? Has anybody ran into this problem? Thanks

BTW, I already looked and the part #s for the axle spacers on 1983 model were the same as 1982 model. But the place I got the part #s for also showed the snowflake wheel on the 1983 model which is wrong so I don't really trust that so much.

[GRAND ROUGE]

IMAG0854.jpgThe 82 and 83 GS 1100E wheels are the same dimensionally regarding bearings and spacers and hub offsets etc. I have 2 83 1100 E's. About 10 years ago, a motorcycle shop accidentally cracked a rear wheel when the tire machine operator made a slight mistake. Anyway, just so happened that one of the guys there had an 82 1100E........"loaned" me that rear wheel and tire set up....installed there..Straight swap...Then they located another 83 wheel same week....sorted out the issue.

Couple of thoughts....when you measured center to center sprocket to rotor.....wheel assemblies complete? Wondering if your wheel is missing the tapered spacer between cush drive and wheel bearing. Not positive but could allow sprocket carrier to sit farther into the hub........OR...... is the rear wheel on your 1100 possibly a wheel from and 84, 85 or 86 GS 1150..... 3.0 (1984) or 3.5 by 17. To properly install that wheel requires an "additional" spacer outboard of the caliper carrier. The spacer width for my applications is .210 inches. Almost that 1/4 inch you described. Both of my 1100's do have the 3.5 1150 rear wheel. Lots of info re fitment on this site.

[mrbill5491]

The previous owner of my 1982 GS1100E put 1983 GS1100E wheels on it and I pulled the rear wheel off to try to find out what is causing the bad handling in the corners and noticed that when I loosened the rear axle, about a 1/4" of space opened up between the swingarm and the axle spacer. It is like the spacers are not thick enough and so the swingarm is being squeezed together to take up that space when the axle is tight which of course puts the wheel out of alignment too. I looked at my dad's 82 and our spacers are exactly the same width. But, when I measured center-to-center between sprocket and rotor, the 82 wheel setup is 1/4" wider than my 1983 wheel setup. So, I think it is obvious I need to add a spacer but I guess my question to yall is should the spacer be added all on the right side or put two spacers one on each side to keep wheel centered or what? Has anybody ran into this problem? Thanks

BTW, I already looked and the part #s for the axle spacers on 1983 model were the same as 1982 model. But the place I got the part #s for also showed the snowflake wheel on the 1983 model which is wrong so I don't really trust that so much.

Only thing to watch for on the 82 wheel is to make sure it has a casting on saying tubeless. The early 82 wheels still used a tube until the they changed the casting process in mid year model.

[Paul.S]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]44538[/ATTACH]The 82 and 83 GS 1100E wheels are the same dimensionally regarding bearings and spacers and hub offsets etc. I have 2 83 1100 E's. About 10 years ago, a motorcycle shop accidentally cracked a rear wheel when the tire machine operator made a slight mistake. Anyway, just so happened that one of the guys there had an 82 1100E........"loaned" me that rear wheel and tire set up....installed there..Straight swap...Then they located another 83 wheel same week....sorted out the issue.

Couple of thoughts....when you measured center to center sprocket to rotor.....wheel assemblies complete? Wondering if your wheel is missing the tapered spacer between cush drive and wheel bearing. Not positive but could allow sprocket carrier to sit farther into the hub........OR...... is the rear wheel on your 1100 possibly a wheel from and 84, 85 or 86 GS 1150..... 3.0 (1984) or 3.5 by 17. To properly install that wheel requires an "additional" spacer outboard of the caliper carrier. The spacer width for my applications is .210 inches. Almost that 1/4 inch you described. Both of my 1100's do have the 3.5 1150 rear wheel. Lots of info re fitment on this site.

Thanks a lot for the reply. I went out and looked and the rim says 8/84 on it (1984 I guess) and it also has 3.50 by 17 stamped in it as well. I searched the forum several times to see what people were doing for the spacer but did not find even one article. Did you buy your spacer or make it yourself? I have access to a mill and lathe so I can make one if I need to.

[GRAND ROUGE]

Hey.........real easy. Got a hardware store close by? Sending you a PM

[Paul.S]

Yes I do Have some around. I mainly use Tractor Supply for my hardware.

[GRAND ROUGE]

Message sent. And Tractor Supply.....will get you sorted out.

[Paul.S]

Just got my spacer done and wanted to report that mine had to be 0.232" to fit nicely. I just turned down another factory axle spacer on the lathe. Thanks again!

[GRAND ROUGE]

Good to know that you got it sorted out. Handling "issue" no longer a factor, right?

[Paul.S]

Good to know that you got it sorted out. Handling "issue" no longer a factor, right?

Nope she handles great in the corners now! No more bouncing
or weaving at all.