Need direction Gl1000 or Gl1200

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MangoMatto
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Need direction Gl1000 or Gl1200

#1

Post by MangoMatto »

I'm wanting to build a cafe racer style bike. I have a gl1200 that is missing the forks and a gl1000 missing the engine. I'm currently searching for gsxr forks which is the direction I'd like to go with regards to forks. What direction would you reccomend as far as frame goes. Would there be any benefit to using the gl1000 frame with the gl1200 engine or should I save myself the trouble and just build off of the gl1200 frame?
1976 Gl1000
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ericheath
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Re: Need direction Gl1000 or Gl1200

#2

Post by ericheath »

85-87 1200 motors drop in quite easily to a 1000 frame. 84 needs s frame mod to make it fit. Not a major change, just a little room in the rear center cross member. To use the 1000 final drive you’ll need to remove the rear case and swap a 1000 or 1100 output shaft which has a groove for a circlip to hold the drive shaft on. The 1000 is a shorter frame and fits cafe style better imo. Beefing up the front end is wise, GSXR has good reviews.

Having done the swap, 1200 motor to a 77 frame, I wish I had just hunted for a good 1200 frame to modify, better front end, better final drive, better brakes.
Whatever I suggest here should be given ample time for a moderator to delicately correct. I apologize in advance.
77 WING, 1200 engine with 77 heads, cams, gl1100 foot pegs, Magna V65 front end, 764A carbs, [-gone Suzuki M109 monoshock--, replaced with gl1100 shocks] gl 1200 swing arm, gl1500 final drive, wheel and rear brakes Valkyrie seat, Meanstreak tank, Sportster pipes, Power Arc ignition off crank.
77 Wing. black
83 Wing, in pieces
"Continuing education is important even if the subject matter is fairly useless (as in this case)."---Greg Foresi
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wingrider
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Re: Need direction Gl1000 or Gl1200

#3

Post by wingrider »

I have to give one little tweak to Eric’s advice....he is right that the 85-87 1200’s physically fit a tad easier in a 1000 frame vs the 84, (although, once the electronics of an 84 are taken care of, the 84 slid into my 77 frame with room to spare, no pounding on the frame to make it fit). Putting a 1200 into a 1000 frame supposedly gives it more of a hotrod feel....

I will say that if it is an 87, you can’t just change out the output shaft, as Honda changed the last year of the 4 cylinders to a different size shaft. You then get to pull it out, and find someone to machine a groove in it for a 1000 driveshaft, (just in case you don’t know, the 1200 uses a spring in the driveshaft vs the 1000 which is a circlip).
2002 1800 Wing
2001 Valkyrie Interstate
1978 1200 EFI Wing with Motorvation Coupe Royale sidecar
1977 1200 Wing cafe/bobber project
1974 Suzuki GT550
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ericheath
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Re: Need direction Gl1000 or Gl1200

#4

Post by ericheath »

I forgot that 87 detail already, Wingrider. I grabbed an 87 to replace my 85 with a bent rod and lucked out by also happening on a 1500 final drive.
Whatever I suggest here should be given ample time for a moderator to delicately correct. I apologize in advance.
77 WING, 1200 engine with 77 heads, cams, gl1100 foot pegs, Magna V65 front end, 764A carbs, [-gone Suzuki M109 monoshock--, replaced with gl1100 shocks] gl 1200 swing arm, gl1500 final drive, wheel and rear brakes Valkyrie seat, Meanstreak tank, Sportster pipes, Power Arc ignition off crank.
77 Wing. black
83 Wing, in pieces
"Continuing education is important even if the subject matter is fairly useless (as in this case)."---Greg Foresi
MangoMatto
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Re: Need direction Gl1000 or Gl1200

#5

Post by MangoMatto »

Thanks for the information. Sounds like the smartest thing to do will be to leave the 1200 in the 1200 frame and modify that frame to clean it up.
1976 Gl1000
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Easter
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Re: Need direction Gl1000 or Gl1200

#6

Post by Easter »

Which 1200 do you have? I don't know for sure about the "Standard" model but the Interstate and Aspencade have significantly more rake to the front geometry. This makes them more stable for highway use but "heavy" to steer at slow speeds and tight curves. Of course if you change the forks you may change the triple trees as well which will make all this irrelevant.
Bikes at present:

83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process :IDTS:
MangoMatto
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Re: Need direction Gl1000 or Gl1200

#7

Post by MangoMatto »

It is an aspencade. I do plan on changing the forks.
1976 Gl1000
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