Topic: 1980 Suzuki GS1100E

[Kelly E]

After two years of it getting pushed back to do other bikes we're finally getting started on the 1980 Suzuki GS1100E. It's fighting back from the beginning with most engine cover screws refusing to budge and all four mixture screws are cammed out and stuck. Luckily we have a second set of carbs. The bike sat under an open carport for 13 years and has 17k miles.

[RAFster122s]

Has Wes Cooley edition vibes to the paint scheme...
Good luck getting her sorted...
Outside storage in humid damp environment is really tough on old bikes.
Presume you are using impact driver on the case screws...

[CycleRanger]

Nice!

I had a buddy back in the '80's who had an '80 or 81 I think it was.
That bike was fast!

[Mark1976]

These are really great bikes, very solid, great performance and very easily maintained.

[Stev-o]

Subscribed.  Great bike, Cycle Worlds SuperBike of the year '81-83.

My buddy has one, inherited from his father.  He asked if I wanted to buy it but it was the L version, which is shaft drive, cruiser style, I passed.

[Kelly E]

Yep we're using the Vessel impact screwdrivers but I've already had to drill 15 carb screws with a lefthand bit. They all unscrewed just before the head's popped off. The engine cover screws are putting up the same fight. One way or another I will win. I've resurrected an 81' before. They are great riding bikes and this bike will be a rider. 

[seanbarney41]

Here is my '82 outside the famous Legs Inn...it's kinda like the Rock Store of Michigan as it's at the northern end of the fun section of M119.

[MauiK3]

So many bikes now look like props from sci-fi movies. I like bikes that look like motorcycles. Like this one. !!

[RAFster122s]

https://m.facebook.com/marketplace/item/618523756095302/?referral_code=bsg_newsfeed
$250 for Vance & Hines race exhaust on FB marketplace

[Kelly E]

https://m.facebook.com/marketplace/item/618523756095302/?referral_code=bsg_newsfeed
$250 for Vance & Hines race exhaust on FB marketplace

Thanks, we have a stainless steel Delkavic 4 into 1 exhaust on the way for it

[craz1]

Im in the process of rebuilding a 1982 GS1100GL. Changing a few things on it and will be running the same exhaust. You 80 has some nice lines. Im also changing the seat and handlebars which should make it a little more streamlined and not so much like the cruiser that it was with that large stepped seat and pullback bars.

[Kelly E]

The L models had some pretty extreme cruiser styling but they still have the great motor. It would probably benefit from a fork brace if it doesn't have one.

[Stev-o]

The L models had some pretty extreme cruiser styling but they still have the great motor.

Dont mean to threadjack, but if anyone is interested in a 1100 L model, my buddy would sell it relatively cheap.  It's near Austin, TX.

[Kelly E]

We spent the day on carbs. We have 2 sets, the original set with all of the mixture screws stuck. The other set has the #2 mixture screw stuck. No luck removing them so far.

[grcamna2]

Suzuki also had a 1980' GS1100L w/ 'cruiser style' ergos & looks,which had chain drive and the same 16 valve engine as the 1980 1100E;just in 1980'.

[ekpent]

 That's a bummer on those stuck screws. I remember when I cleaned my Bandit carbs and removed the brass caps that covered those that it was hard finding out what the heck they should be really set at.  They seemed to say they were set at the factory and no manuals had any info, like top secret stuff or something. I eventually found some real world advice.
   Is that a common problem for that year on those carbs for other people also ?  Makes you wonder if the factory glued them in when set or something. Sure you have gone to some good heat and penetrating oil already. Good luck.

[Kelly E]

I'm still working on cleaning up the motor. Today I pulled the plugs and made sure that the motor wasn't stuck. Paul got it cheap ($500) and never checked. I'm happy we don't have to pull the cylinders and head off. I want to ride the hell out of it this summer.

[Mark1976]

   Take a thin paint stick and use some weather adhesive to affix some pink scotch brite to it. it'll fit snugly in between the fins and clean them right up, it'll look like new in short time. This is really one of the last of the great UJM's. it'll do a little bit of everything.

[Kelly E]

Thanks

This is the second GS1100E that we've done. We bought it because the 81' that we resurrected for a friend was so much fun to ride that we didn't want to give it back so we bought our own.

[gpzkat]

You may like these 2 videos.  It was the only one that I found showing a Mr. Turbo installation up close, and overall they did a nice job presenting their work (vapor blast in UK).  I have an '82 with Mr Turbo setup put on by Don Vesco's shop.   Great bikes, since my first ride on a brand new one I knew they were something special, and I've owned several since.

[RAFster122s]

Suzuki also had a 1980' GS1100L w/ 'cruiser style' ergos & looks,which had chain drive and the same 16 valve engine as the 1980 1100E;just in 1980'.

Didn't the L model 1100 cruiser have an 8 valve head instead of a 16 Valve head? Power output of that motor never was stated by the factory I have read and it was a disappointment for anyone expecting more from the motor, but one made a comment about you really not wanting to experience the GS1100E motor in a sketchy cruiser chassis...

[RAFster122s]

I wish I could find a GS1000E for $500 or even $750...

[ekpent]

So did you get the mixture screws loose in the carbs ?

[scottly]

I wish I could find a GS1000E for $500 or even $750...

Here you go, David: 
https://prescott.craigslist.org/mpo/d/humboldt-1978-suzuki-gs-1000-parts-bike/7434730270.html

[Kelly E]

So did you get the mixture screws loose in the carbs ?

Not yet, one of the #1 carbs broke trying to unscrew the mixture screw. Sure glad we have two sets.