Looking at new "craigslist" project for the winter

[RACER111V]

 I spent this summer working and riding on my 86 fj1200 and I am very happy with the results.It's very reliable and rideable.Some bodywork and paint this winter and it will be "complete" for a while.
I have been looking for an other late eighty's liter bike. I found a complete rough gsxr1100,but I really don't care for the looks,and I have never ridden one.I'm 6'4, 250#'s and I'm guessing it won't be too comfortable for me.I have seen a couple zx9,10's that may be fun.I've owned and raced a few honda v4's and always wanted a vfr1000r or vfr800.
So I'm looking for some feedback from some of you that have owned and ridden some of these bikes.What ever I buy will be around $1000 and will need work.And I will be keeping the fJ.
 
 Thanks, Glenn

[Firehawk068]

I've always liked the looks of, and had wanted to try out a V65 Sabre............
there's a really, really nice looking one that's always parked in front of the Mesa Cycle gear....I always stop and give it a look over when I go there

[UJM]

We have a lot in common.

Here's my list, if time allowed - and all would be "rough" to be in the $1000.00 range

Honda V65 Sabre
Kawasaki GPz1100/KZ1000/KZ1300
Suzuki GS1100 (1150's bring too much $$$)
Yamaha XS1100

There's more, this is a good start for "hunting"

[RACER111V]

I never have owned or ridden a v65 saber, but i did own a v65 magna (with drag bars) for a summer and did love the motor.The thing would wheelie downhill.The saber is shaft drive if I remember?
A friend owned a gs110es that I loved.Fit me like a glove.I rode it five hours straight to the Unadilla national and back one year and loved every second.I will probably never find one for the money I want to spend.The 1150 he bought the next year was a real disappointment.It vibrated like a sportster.
Thanks for the thoughts

[lawson]

I'm 6'4 as well - there are 3 83 suzuki gs1100es for under 900.00.  Go to craiglook.com  and enter suzuki gs1100es.  That bike has about same egos as my z1r which fits perfect.   Good luck     

[UJM]

Here I am back in the eighties on my 1980 GS1100E.




Starting in 1982 (not all 82's) the cranks were welded, and that pretty much made these machines bulletproof. Very strong aftermarket and parts are not that hard to come by. Stator issues sometimes come up on machines over 40,000 miles. Nothing major, good machines that haul.

Used to be kind of fun to swap the GS750 emblems on the early 1100's. made for a great "sleeper".

[srsupertrap]

Here I am back in the eighties on my 1980 GS1100E.




Starting in 1982 (not all 82's) the cranks were welded, and that pretty much made these machines bulletproof. Very strong aftermarket and parts are not that hard to come by. Stator issues sometimes come up on machines over 40,000 miles. Nothing major, good machines that haul.

Used to be kind of fun to swap the GS750 emblems on the early 1100's. made for a great "sleeper".

Cool picture I probably have a similar Polaroid somewhere. Just like FJ's a lot of desireable GS parts are pretty hard to come by (OEM Exhausts, good tanks & aftermarket performance parts.) Suzuki has recently raised the OEM prices as well. The charging systems are junk and most GSers replace the OEM R&R with period Honda (Shinedgen R&R) with sense wires.

Motorcycle Classics recently revisted the VF1000R and although it was styled like a superbike it weighed in it a close to 600 Lbs. Throw in some clip ons and it was a pretty portly bike. IMO, $1000 for the most part guarantees a lot of work on your part. Moving up the price range a bit there are lot desireable bikes in the 1000-1500 range.

[RACER111V]

I took a new look at gs1100's and found a 1983 e with smooth bores, kerker, and complete for $650.It's also only about 15 miles from here.I may have to give it a good look this week.I have found a couple main fairings for a 750 for $200 ish.I believe they are the same as the 1100es.

[UJM]

I took a new look at gs1100's and found a 1983 e with smooth bores, kerker, and complete for $650.It's also only about 15 miles from here.I may have to give it a good look this week.I have found a couple main fairings for a 750 for $200 ish.I believe they are the same as the 1100es.

I really liked the styling of the '83.

That price is too hard to pass up, unless it is a basketcase.

$650.00 - did it run? Any pictures??

[RACER111V]

All complete and running.No air filters,sanded and rusty tank.

[UJM]

All complete and running.No air filters,sanded and rusty tank.

Heck, those air cooled machines are so much simpler to work on - especially in comparison to the V65 series (with upper end oiling issues, and others...), that it almost makes that a no-brainer.

Properly prepped, those GS1100's would run the 10's in the quarter - with  one heck of a strong low end and mid range.

Good luck on whatever you decide and looking forward to hearing more!

[Mark Olson]

I spent this summer working and riding on my 86 fj1200 and I am very happy with the results.It's very reliable and rideable.Some bodywork and paint this winter and it will be "complete" for a while.
I have been looking for an other late eighty's liter bike. I found a complete rough gsxr1100,but I really don't care for the looks,and I have never ridden one.I'm 6'4, 250#'s and I'm guessing it won't be too comfortable for me.I have seen a couple zx9,10's that may be fun.I've owned and raced a few honda v4's and always wanted a vfr1000r or vfr800.
So I'm looking for some feedback from some of you that have owned and ridden some of these bikes.What ever I buy will be around $1000 and will need work.And I will be keeping the fJ.
 
 Thanks, Glenn

What do you mean you are done working on the fj?

do you have your 17" wheels on yet?

what about a spin on oil filter?

cartridge forks done?

penske rear shock?

charging upgrade?

headlight upgrade?

did you strip all the clearcoat off and semi-crome everthing?

you could spend that 1000.00 with a quickness on the  fj.

ok, just messing with ya .

how bout a honda intercepter.  those were fun.

[srsupertrap]

All complete and running.No air filters,sanded and rusty tank.

I searched C/L and see it has Mikuni VM33 Smoothbores. You probably already know but those VM33's are very hard to jet correctly for the street . . . lots of surging from 0- 1/4 throttle. IMO the 2.0 slides are better than the 1.5 too

[RACER111V]

All complete and running.No air filters,sanded and rusty tank.

I searched C/L and see it has Mikuni VM33 Smoothbores. You probably already know but those VM33's are very hard to jet correctly for the street . . . lots of surging from 0- 1/4 throttle. IMO the 2.0 slides are better than the 1.5 too

Yes,I'm not interested in running the smooth bores, or even the Kerker.They would get sold off.I have gotten good results with cv's, and I will look for a better exhaust.I am seriously thinking about a es clone.Looks like I can find enough parts to do it inexpensively.


As far as modding the FJ, I told myself I wouldn't change the wheels until the tires are cooked.I did the headlight upgrade two weeks ago,I had to refill the battery again a while ago,so I am ordering a new regulator in a few weeks.I think I will go inverted forks when I do the wheels.

I would definitely consider a late 750 or 800 Interceptor.I owned and road raced a 500 interceptor but I am not a fan of the looks of the early 750 or 1000,other than the 1000r.I have seen a few vf1000r's in the $2k area that I have thought about.I really do love the motors.

[Dan Filetti]

Here I am back in the eighties on my 1980 GS1100E.

Quite possibly the quintessential 'UJM'.

Nice, brings a smile to me face.

Dan