GS1100 Swingarm Advice

So i finally got my hands on a gS1100 swingarm. I wanted to ask some advice befroe i begin. I am pretty new to the whole streetfighting / updated suspension.

I am running a 19 spoke rim with drum brakes. I assume I have to weld a brakcet under it to hold the brake stay arm, correct?
I considered taking this moment to install a new updated rim and rear disk setup, but then I am going to end up with a cool rim in the back and a spoke in the front. That and I have no idea about what wheels and bearings will fit the axle.

Also, I know they are a bit longer so I was wondering about shock length. I want to keep the bike low. Right now I have heavy duty lowering shocks on it. Any advice on a good set of shocks to run on that swingarm?

Thanks in advance!

- brian

You could use a rear wheel from a 77-78 kz1000. (Spoke)
The arm is around 2 inches longer then a kz arm. I know the gs arm needs to use clevis? type shocks. Not sure where to find shorter ones though.

If you don't mind using HD parts, you can use Sportster shocks which come in various lengths. Just gotta use your old KZ bushings. But on Ebay I noticed that the shorter they are, the more expensive they are (more popular).

I am not opposed to using HD parts, I will definitely look into them. I think I am going to hold off putting the swingarm on till next season. Hopefully by then I can score me some nicer mag wheels for the bike.

brich: In my '73 Z1-900's radial tire upgrade, I used a GS1100 swingarm. Checkout one of my links below for some details on how I also switched from a rear drum brake setup to a rear disk brake setup.

that is just plain awesome!! I like how you got the closeups, parts u used and details! sweet. I think that gave me everything i need to proceed.

One question though .. the WP shocks .. what model bike are they for? I like those a lot and may need to get me a pair!

BohicaBob, I just checked out your GS arm/disk set-up. Looks VERY nice! I have a question though, how do you have your brake toque arm mounted?
I'm also using the GS1100 swingarm conversion along with a rear wheel from a 1988 GSXR1100 with a Katana brake caliper. Fwiw, I initially used a top-mounted caliper and now have a bottom-mount caliper that I have yet to install.
Before I go, have you done the 530 chain conversion as well?
Hopefully I haven't hijacked your thread brich. I figured we both could use Bob's input.
Thanks guys,
Jim

LOL .. no worries man. I can use all the scenarios possible as i haven't even got a rear disk setup yet.

These WP shocks were custom ordered. I told WP that I was fitting a GS1100 swingarm to my '73 Z1-900, my bodyweight, what kind of riding I did, etc. The shocks were not cheap, but one often gets what one pays for. These shocks work very well indeed.

I converted to a 530 drive chain some time ago.

Rear brake torque arm is one from a '77-'78 KZ1000. I simply modified it to fit the GS1100 (top-mounted caliper location like on the KZ) and to also clear the 166 mm wide rear Avon tire.

Thanks Bob.
Jim

I have a kz1000 77 with PM wheels front and rear GS1100
swing arm been through all the mods to make this work.
and can email you pics, jagrider

Post edited by: jagrider, at: 2007/10/11 21:08

Post edited by: jagrider, at: 2007/10/11 21:10

jagrider
I hope the pics help, I'm having some sprockets made now going with a 525 chain, I pop 520 chain on 94 ZX7 with a pouch out ZX9 motor on the bike.If you need more info let me no. jagrider jagcompany@aol.com

jagrider here, Did you get the bike set up with the swing arm yet. I'm swithing to 525 a chain I had the sprocket made front and rear I'm using pm wheels There's a picture of the swing arm here in my profile.
There 525 chain makes for the rear sprocket to be smaller so this mean's 630 40 teeth rear sprockets is smaller than a 525 40 teeth rear sprocket. If you go go with the swing arm gs1100 you will need 5/8" front sprocket to have 160 rear tire. "O" the 525 chain is not as wide as a 630/530 chain.

Post edited by: jagrider, at: 2007/10/15 19:32

Post edited by: jagrider, at: 2007/12/26 15:12

Post edited by: jagrider, at: 2008/01/18 08:10

Post edited by: jagrider, at: 2008/01/18 08:13