1983 Suzuki GS1100ED --- "Big Boy"

[NoobZooki]

Did a little work on the carbs. Idles perfectly at 1,100 RPM. Took it for a quick test ride around the neighborhood. Smooth acceleration, good handling (despite it's weight), addicting power, etc. This bike is very nice!

It's official. I now like big bikes 

[beatnic]

They really do handle well despite their weight. I use 20wt fork oil, fox gas shocks, and avon roadriders, made the bike feel 100lbs lighter. A fork brace really helps the front end feel stable.

[NoobZooki]

They really do handle well despite their weight. I use 20wt fork oil, fox gas shocks, and avon roadriders, made the bike feel 100lbs lighter. A fork brace really helps the front end feel stable.

Yes, I have a bid on ebay right now for a fork brace. Please let me win!

Painted the front fender and right side cover. Not perfect but better than blue.








Carbs are off being dipped and rebuilt.

[NoobZooki]

Bill, if you're reading this, the carbs look great! No more crappy black paint!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Also got a CPCU from Bill. Installed it but still no lights so the problem is somewhere else...
 
 
 Man... I always find myself looking back as I'm walking away .
 

So... I had to start it up. Turned the choke on, hit the start button, and the RPM was between 2,000-3,000 RPM. That's as far as I got. The bike is too loud even at those RPM's. So I will start it up again on Monday when my neighbors are at work .

[Big Rich]

Looking good so far Allen. But.........what's up with those pods? I understand trying to find the proper airbox for a restoration can be a rest PITA, but I'm gonna say emgo pods may just give you all sorts of problems.

[NoobZooki]

Looking good so far Allen. But.........what's up with those pods? I understand trying to find the proper airbox for a restoration can be a rest PITA, but I'm gonna say emgo pods may just give you all sorts of problems.

I did say that the EMGO's are temporary right? I will get K&N's this winter. But get this, the bike runs very well up to 8,000 RPM and I didn't dare to go any more than that. Smooth acceleration and no stumbling at all. It has a Dynojet Stage 3 kit too.

And yes, finding an airbox was very hard. Besides, it was already rejetted by the PO.

We'll call this a resto mod.

[NoobZooki]

Carbs have been cleaned, rebuilt, and tuned for my bike. Thanks Bill!

[bbillington]

Nice work so far. I look forward to living vicariously through your build as I picked up an 82GS1100e recently but will probably not get to that bike until this winter. Mine won't be a restoration as it's a bit too far gone for that, but I'm going to try and get away from the stock tank/sidcovers/seat setup and see what I can make work on it.

[peteGS]

Hey I found your thread over here finally Allen! Got your wiring sorted now?

[NoobZooki]

Wiring is good for now...

Got me a brand new chain.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3984Q2em1439Q2el2649QQitemZ270795023348QQsspagenameZSTRKQ3aMEWNXQ3aIT

The orange sticker says $111!




This chain is brand new and SUPER HEAVY! Wow lol. I guess that's a 630 for you .


As some of you may know, my clutch has a very annoying rattle if the RPM is under 1,500. So I decided to fix it :mrgreen:.

Oil drained. This is the Rotella 15w-40 after like 50 miles.


Clutch.


Clutch springs removed.


Aha! There's the problem. The tab washer was NOT bent over the clutch hub nut therefore the clutch hub nut is loose.


Tightened and locked with tab washer.


Clutch plates appear to be in good condition.


What's up with this gold paint inside the engine under the clutch cover? It scratches off easily and I saw remnants of gold flakes in the oil I drained.


Filled it up with 15w-40 Rotella oil again. Started the bike and let it warm up. No more clutch rattle. I can let it idle at 1,100 RPM with no clutch rattle. Woohoo!!!

Installed brand new clutch cable (top).



The throttle grip does not snap back into position. Instead, it slowly goes back. It's supposed to snap back right? I checked the cable and it's bent at places. Or maybe it's the springs on the carbs? We'll find out...

Throttle cable purchased.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3984Q2em1439Q2el2649QQitemZ200539547705QQsspagenameZSTRKQ3aMEWNXQ3aIT

Superbike mirrors purchased.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180711149020&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

Also have a chain guard on the way.

[Big Rich]

That throttle cable could be a couple different things. Check the carbs first (make sure they snap back), then hook the cable to the carbs. Try pulling the end of the cable by hand. Then hook it up to the throttle assembly and check it again.

Could be the carb springs, dirty cable, dirty throttle sleeve bent throttle sleeve, etc.

[NoobZooki]

That throttle cable could be a couple different things. Check the carbs first (make sure they snap back), then hook the cable to the carbs. Try pulling the end of the cable by hand. Then hook it up to the throttle assembly and check it again.

Could be the carb springs, dirty cable, dirty throttle sleeve bent throttle sleeve, etc.

Oh. Well, I already ordered a new throttle cable. And when I had the carbs cleaned, I pulled the throttle linkage thingy and it snapped back. I think it's just a bad cable since it's bent and ripped in a few places. Probably getting stuck somewhere.

[Maritime]

Bike is looking great, and yes even a little bend in the cable can cause it to stick.  A new one is a good idea fro sure, cause first it sticks then it breaks.

[NoobZooki]

Bike is looking great, and yes even a little bend in the cable can cause it to stick.  A new one is a good idea fro sure, cause first it sticks then it breaks.

Thanks! I've often read stories of throttle cables and clutch cables snapping while they're out riding so it's a good thing I'm replacing both  .

[NoobZooki]

So today was a bit more exciting. Woke up at 8 AM and went to check out Firestone in Ballard. Good, I found it. Bad news is that it's a 30 min drive just to get there then it took me 40 mins to get back home because this road was closed. I hope they fix that soon. 20 miles one way 40 miles both ways. So that's about 1 gallon of gas everyday!

Then I had rlong74 over at my place. I instantly recognized the sound coming down the road. His sweet 1981 Suzuki GS450T. Man... I really do miss mine. Anyways, we had a good talk about stuff then I gave him his GSR patches. Lucky him... Got a free red one! But I guess I owe him that for letting me ride his GS450. Felt just like mine except better. The throttle was smooth, clutch is awesome, and those Avon tires are MUCH better than my old crappy Cheng Shin Marquis.





There is a noticeable size difference.



Thanks for coming over Ryan! Always nice to put a face on the forum name.

Now after he left. I went to put my bike in the garage. I dropped my bike on the left side. I heard a crack. I said, "Oh no... There goes my turn signals." Picked it back up but there was no damage except a slightly scratched stator cover. The real damage was done to my camera. The screen broke! The clutch lever hit my right leg which was where the camera was. Oh well.... A replacement screen will cost about $20.


Now the mailman is like my best friend. He brings stuff to me.

Superbike GP mirrors, clutch perch assembly, and right side mirror mount. Thanks sschering!

Remember that my camera screen broke so I can't see what I'm pointing at.







All that is left to do is fix this electrical problem and get some horns.