gs1100 swingarm Q's

hello to all! Ok, I have my bike polished to within an inch of it's life and I'm thinking about puting a GS1100E swingarm on it. I think I have everything I need, swingarm, GS and honda shocks, I'm prepared to shim or make spacers, I've compared and swapped axles(must use the GS axle),But all the research I've done(I.E. comparing bearing dimentions)is telling me the swingarm pivot bolts are different diameters. So, how are you guys getting around this? I keep hearing its a direct swap for my bike(1978 kz1000). I am NOT prepared to drill my frame out, I don't mind modifications as long as I can undo them when and if I change my mind or tastes. If anyone that has done this swap can help I'd really appriciate it. for now I'm just trying to beat this cabin fever, I tried mounting some handlebars to a fan but it just ain't the same!!!

I dont have a 78 1000, but I think the pivot bolt size is the same as my 73 Z1 and it is a perfect swap as far as diameter is concerned, but I cant be sure on that part, check the diameter on ur old bolt and let me know and I'll go out to the shop and check

I used an aluminum GS on a 76 KZ900.
The pivot axle is 16mm same.
Do you have the collars that go in the roller bearings
in the GS swingarm?
Did you blast off the stock silver finish off of the GS swingarm yet? Not paint on it!

ok so you guys are saying the bolts are the same, and the difference in bearings is made up by a sleave in the GS swingarm? so if i use the kaw pivot bolt I'm good to go?

yep,you need around 1/8-3/16" shim on each side of pivot

outa curiosity, whats the stock measurement from the center of pivot bolt to center of axle in furthest rear position?

r u talking the gs swingarm ???

ok depending on ur axle adjuster between 20 and 21 inches

stonemaster wrote:

r u talking the gs swingarm ???

ok depending on ur axle adjuster between 20 and 21 inches

no stock kz. cause my modern measurement is 27-28". i wanna know what my stretch is after mod.

the gs swingarm is a inch and a half longer than my stock z1 swingarm if that helps

so on the short side were looking at 18.5 inches stock.....gives me, 8.5"? seems like way far off. i thought shorter. or does my math suck?

[/img] Thanks for all the replies/info. This is really an easy upgrade! Went pretty smooth. Still need to get a chain and put spacers on the axel but other than that its done. I think I can get a 140 tire on it now. shocks are from a SOHC CB750. Thanks again

trying pic thing again!