The 1982 Susuki GS-1100GK, Revisted

[GS_Guy]

The original thread was over 90 days old when I saw it. So I figured I'd post a new thread. Hope thats ok.

2 years ago, I sold my 97 Harley Sporter. I took the money and as I was looking for a new bike, I never thought I'd run into a bike in the condition I was able to find. I have been a fan of the GS series for many years owning more Suzukis than any other bike. My first one was a '84 gs550L. My next Suzuki would be the one that spoiled me for the larger GS bikes. 1978 GS1000EC I still have the bike but it no longer runs. My latest bike lives up and supercedes the GS1000, and that is the GS1100GK. The GS is just a old school muscle bike with factory touring add ons.  The bike had 8669 miles and is in almost mint condition (look at the pictures). It now has just under 20,000.

As you can see in the picture, the front fender is no longer the original, It is off the GS1000EC. Work I have done on it thus far: I have had to replace the Rear brass hub shartdrive gear. Boots connecting the engine to carbs. The starter motor, and rear shocks. I have also replaced the stator and Charging/rec. (I will explain this later)  I had to replace the original dunlop tires (worn out). The paint is in its original condition as is the seat, faring and hard bags. The gas tank sticker warning about the windsheild is still intact.

I am hard on my bikes as I tend to move on down the road. Also, I have raced many big touring bikes and always the GS1000EC-GS1100GK has won. Some will be threatened by this comment but its the truth.  I have raced many Goldwings, (not the new ones) and always have won. The GS1100GK is a sleeper, utill you open it up. I really dislike the odometer as it only goes to 85MPH. The GS1100GK reaches 85 and over very easily. A fix which I will one day use, is to replace the OD with one from a GS1100E, its supposed to be an exact replacement and goes up to 140MPH.

I love how the GS1100GK handles. I love the rush of power as you turn the grip. In the past they said it was an ugly bike. I disagree.

Here is a few tips to those who own and want to know ahead of time. The Stator and Charging/Rec. were never designed to support accessorys. Doing so will eventually fry the stator then Charging/Rec. That means no onboard radios or extra lights. (sigh). Sync your carbs especially if its a used bike and you get under 40 MPG. Buy a good carb syncer. Change your air cleaner to a UNI filter and clean every 2000 miles or unless proformance or Gas milage goes down. Get a maintaince book for your GS. Keep your shocks adjusted correctly and aired up if applicable. Never pushstart the GS1100GK unless its an emergency. It will stripe out (in time) the Brass hub gear in the rear wheel. Also watch down shifting and dragging gears to slow down. Bad for hub gear too. The hub gear is $114. Stator is $140, Charing/REC (aftermarket) is $100. Boots between the engine and carb are $24 each times 4. Make sure your cam Chain tensioner is loose and is only tightend by spring tension. Repack front and rear bearings at least once every 2 years. Replace with sealed for less maintaince. Don't grind break pads to metal. Check them often. Oil change 4000-5000 miles more often of on dirt roads. Use oil Castrol GTX 10-40. Replace oil seal on oil filter every 3 oil changes or every time. The little small chrome covers that go over the Cam ends on the outside of the engine come loose with vibration (the screws). Use locktight or check them every 5 rides.
My bike like most GS1100GK's runs hot. If you pull a plug and it has a white tip. Thats to hot. I use a one range colder plug. NGK B9ES instead of the factory B8ES or Eq. Stay away from non-NGK plugs and platinums. They don't last and the proformance isn't that great. THE GS1100 series wasn't designed for the new more modern types of plugs. Never replace plugs or torque nuts/bolts with a hot or very warm engine. The aluminum is softer and plug holes and bolt holes can be striped easy.

Tip for older GS550s -GS1100s: If you hear a deep rattle in your engine. You can fix this by tightening the the nut on the Transmission side of the engine. Remove the cover, remove the nut and slip washer. Straighten slip washer, Put back on with nut. Tighten nut, rebend slip washer to hold nut. This usually fixes the rattle Or you can just ignor it. It doesn't hurt anything. also make sure your chain tensioner is working correctly.

GS_Guy

[CLAY]

My 1980 GS1000G.  I restored it, then sold it- too top heavy for me- but WOW did it scream!


Some before and after pictures here:
http://twinoak.altelco.net/~jacil/clay/motorcycle/GS.html

I did very bit of resto myself.  Fun stuff!  

[denydog]

Nice bike.  Have you been over at thegsresources.com.  If so, I don't recognize your username, but you might have seen this,

[MisterSmooth]

I had a thing for the 1982/1983 GS1100E, especially the 1983 GS1100E in red.  Although the blue was very nice as well.  What a beautiful, underrated design.  Right up there with the first K100RS:  Well proportioned, and retro-cool.

The great Japanese motorcycle glut in the early eighties meant that in 1984 you could buy a brand new leftover GS1100E for $2,500.  Which was not a lot of money even then.  In contrast, six years later I bought a 1990 CBR1000F for $7,400.  So the GS was a screaming deal.

Interesting, though, the dealer advised me not to move up from my 650.  "That GS1100 is a very powerful bike..."

And of course it was (and is), but time moves on and now 600 supersports have the same peak horsepower that the GS1100 did.   And 600 supersports are routinely bought as first bikes...

[GS_Guy]

Its a shame that the grand daddy (GS1000s) of the sportbikes is much often forgotten. I have seen many GSs. Personally, it always a good idea to keep the original paint color. I am fortunate that my GS1100GK has the original paint and was the color skeem from the advertisement. The other colors were red/brown,black/silver. There may of be others that I don't know of but I doubt it. I am refering to just the 82-84 GS1100GKs. The GS1000s most common color was black.

What gets me is yeah, I own a classic 25 year old motorcycle. Yes I do ride it. Whats the point if you don't? If they can be fixed, ride them.

Update, I need to replace the cam cover oil gasket as it is leaking bad now. :| Figured I'd check the valve clearance too while I got the cover off. The engine has a slight tick in it. I noticed it when I first bought the bike. Now 12,000 miles later, I'd better take a look into adjustments.

GS_Guy