1981 GPz1100B1 front forks

Hi/help everyone,

I have an 81 1100b1, one of the front forks inside tubes has cracks and is not repairable. I have been looking for replacement parts but can't find any for this model Kawi part # is 44013-1066.
All other similar models use a slightly different tube, my real question is has anyone swapped a set of forks from an 82 KZ1100 A or Gpz1100B2 onto an 81 B1. Will they fit the fork clamps, does the air pressure crossover fit etc.. I believe they are all 38mm
Any help would be greatly appreciated the rebuild has come to a grinding halt because of the fork tube.

No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configuration

Thanks, I saw these on ebay they are in Sweden. I am able to find the 1982 tubes at about a quarter of the price, If I can figure this out soon I will buy the ones out of Sweden.

If not already done, might check with Forks by Frank.

www.frankmain.qpg.com/

Good Fortune!

Some useful information about your 1981 GPz 1100 B1:

1981 GPz 1100 Info

Does it look like a real good example. Cost is irrelevant. If you can stand looking at it that's good enough . Experience ? Sorry to laugh but with just 5 members here I could easily document 200 years total experience . I probably won't have to introduce you the post and the pic will draw them in .

The stock coils come in two flavors , crap and soon to be crap .

Now on to the real info :

1) adjust the valves unless you are confident that the PO has recently adjusted the valves . then do it anyway

2) never run or ride on anything but a fully charged healthy battery . the stator on these bikes has always been a wee bit suspect but the rest of the charging system is more or less bullet proof . Custom Rewind -- High Quality Remanufactured Motorsports Electronics, Rotors, Stators, Ignition Systems just in case . Gary just gets it right .

3) the front forks are ok for the era but marginal if they go without service for a long period of time . they respond very well to just a complete disassembly and reload of oil . if you're going to ride it consider progressive springs . this is one front end where I don't like the cartridge emulators . A good word for the emulators I tried would be spooky and disconnected from the road . up to you ...

4) if in need of a chain and sprockets you may want to consider a 530 conversion . the stock 630 chain is incredibly heavy and has a habit of transmitting it's inertia to the rear suspension . although the sprocket sets can be had cheaply on e-bay pass on the included chain . modern 530 O ring chains are every bit as tough as the original 630 and will with care last every bit as long .

5) The front brakes need constant attention . mainly just disassembly and cleaning . in the odd case a tiny bit of grease on the back side of the pad and scuffing the pad and rotor with some 80 grit will cure most ills . if the pads are still metallic (bronze sintered) get rid of them and use a quality semi metallic . full metallic will just trash your rotors in short order and unless you are racing the slight decrease in braking performance won't be missed or even noticed . replace the brake lines w/ braided steel covered tfe . replace the brake lines w/ braided steel covered tfe . did I repeat myself ? must have been a reason.

Optional :
these bikes are torque pits . near bottomless buckets full of low end torque. with a little bit of minor engineering an extra friction plate can be fitted . this is a better option than aftermarket clutch material in the long run . you need to acquire the kz400/440 clutch steel plates they are just enough thinner that an extra friction plate can be fitted with just a little modification to the release mechanism.

you should take a look at the swing arm pivot as most I've seen are corroded and just plain shot . a disassembly , cleaning and re-lube may be all it takes .

tapered needle bearings in the steering head . if it doesn't have them already it's just the thing to do .

that should be enough to wrap your mind around for now.
Kopcicle