Mrs. slayer's GPz1100 refresh & upgrade

I have stopped using USPS. The last two packages have arrived open, damaged, wet, packed in a makeshift box because the Samson gorilla F’d up the original box. UPS is cheaper. For example. A USPS flatrate box you know the “If it fits it ships BS” was $26. I had it with me on Columbus Day because obviously the P.O. was closed and on a whim took it to a UPS hub. I asked can I ship this here. She looked at me like I had 3 eyes, and said why not. My reply was “its in a USPS box” She said put that thing on the scale, weighted it and typed in the destination and said. $12 and it will be ther in 2 days.

So the longer Suzuki axle arrived last night, it is too big to fit through the wheel! WTH. I thought this was simple bolt-on upgrade?
Whatever... the search continues. Pause to consider... Keep the OEM wheels & put the Suzuki axle in the lathe to trim off a half a millimeter? Or consider other/OEM/Non OEM wheels?? :blink: :dry:

I had that issue with my cafe bike. I purchased new wheel bearings with the correct ID.

That's one of the many reasons I went to a late KZP swing arm. Still had to fit it and extend the fender.
Steve

Replacing the bearings is the easiest way to fix it but I thought the Kawasaki's used the same axle size {20mm}? I don't have my Suzuki swingarm here at the moment but I had a Z1000P rear wheel and i'm sure it fit straight on.... Anyway, just get new bearings, its a cheap fix and you get the piece of mind knowing the bearings are new...

Edit here's a list of swingarm axle sizes, go to the 20mm section and it lists both GS1100 and the Kawasaki 1100 as 20mm..

www.dotheton.com/index.php?threads/axle-...ter-size-list.20952/

Did you try the kawasaki axle with the GS arm?

They are indeed both 20mm. ditto for the GSXR axles i recommended. there is something up with your wheel bearings if it wont fit.

If your GPZ has 20 mm axles it should work. This picture is a GS1100e axle with a Kz900 bearing on it.

Thanks for the input guys. I had the calipers on loan from the reloading bench, out in the garage & found that the KZ axle was .775 inches & the GS axle was .778 inches or some such thing. I buddy is going to put the GS axle in the lathe & take the needed .003" off of it.

Regarding the GSXR axle, Ebay didn't have one at the time I looked & so I went to the GS axle as it was OEM to the swing arm.

Be safe!

DOHC wrote: Did you try the kawasaki axle with the GS arm?

I did. The KZ axle is about an inch shy of working. It is flush with the axle adjuster and no way to get the nut on.

I'm surprised it didn't fit. About 10 years ago I mounted a GS swingarm on an 80 Kz1000 LTD. I don't remember all the details, but I know I didn't need to do anything special with the axle or bearings. I do recall making spacers for the pivot so it fit tight in the frame.

Z1E tagged again for some brake caliper seals, brake pads and steering stem bearings, to add to the long list of new bits & bobs.