Gsx-r 1100 '86 '87

[Rik]

Hoping there are some classic GSX-R experts out there.
I own two of them an 86 and an 87, I was always under the impression that there were no drastic changes made from 86 to 88, yet the two bikes side by side are quite different. Mainly the tank on the 87 is much larger and the forks are about 60 mm longer over all. Also the 86 feels lighter and less "chunky".
Any thoughts on this???

Cheers

Rik

[Bren]

Hoping there are some classic GSX-R experts out there.
I own two of them an 86 and an 87, I was always under the impression that there were no drastic changes made from 86 to 88, yet the two bikes side by side are quite different. Mainly the tank on the 87 is much larger and the forks are about 60 mm longer over all. Also the 86 feels lighter and less "chunky".
Any thoughts on this???

Cheers

Rik

Did you buy the one I was looking at last week...86 gsx-r1100...nice blue colour

[robinm]

The differences you describe suggest that one is a 750 and the other is an 1100?? The 1100 forks are slightly longer than the 750's and the 1100 tank is slightly bigger than the 750's. The 1100 forks have electrically controlled any dive valve where the 750 anti dive unit is not. The 1100 front discs are 10mm larger diameter than the 750 also, are your discs the same? The 1100 has 2 bolts on the lower triple clamp, whereas the 750 has only one bolt. Have a look at the RH lower frame tubes, the 1100 one is removable but the 750 one is not.
What you MAY have is what we call a 7/11, which is a 750 with an 1100 motor fitted.
The two frames, although very similar are different in so many ways. Back to the forks, the 750 forks are 580mm long, the 1100 forks are 648mm. That length is off the bike with no weight on them.
I have heaps of info here on both the 750 and 1100's if you need to know anything.
cheers

[Rik]

Thanks will check those points and let you know the result.

[Rik]

The differences you describe suggest that one is a 750 and the other is an 1100?? The 1100 forks are slightly longer than the 750's and the 1100 tank is slightly bigger than the 750's. The 1100 forks have electrically controlled any dive valve where the 750 anti dive unit is not. The 1100 front discs are 10mm larger diameter than the 750 also, are your discs the same? The 1100 has 2 bolts on the lower triple clamp, whereas the 750 has only one bolt. Have a look at the RH lower frame tubes, the 1100 one is removable but the 750 one is not.
What you MAY have is what we call a 7/11, which is a 750 with an 1100 motor fitted.
The two frames, although very similar are different in so many ways. Back to the forks, the 750 forks are 580mm long, the 1100 forks are 648mm. That length is off the bike with no weight on them.
I have heaps of info here on both the 750 and 1100's if you need to know anything.
cheers

Ok, the disc is 10mm smaller the anti dive units are not electric and all I can say about the forks is that they are shorter. however all the other things are identical. maybe the bike has had a front end transplant??

[Rik]

It would seem so.

[StoneY]

I remember my 88 GSXR1100 slingshot had the 750 front forks fitted (I dont know why but at a service the WMCC mechanic told me my Front End was a 750's not the original)
I blieve it was to get rid of the crap anti-dive that the early 1100's used but could be wrong, it also lowered the front end a touch, giving them a meaner rake
Back in the late 80's a LOT of GSXR1100 owners changed the front ends for various urban mythical reasons, and now I cant remember the particular lines of BS jsutifying these mods


My '90 Model has the first set of upside down forks so I am no use to this discussion

[Rik]

Thanks for that info', I have noticed that the bike handles brilliantly for such an antique, lol. In fact compared to my 91, 750f it is so much better. Maybe someone actually knew what they were doing.
Cheers

[Wheeliemonsta]

Hoping there are some classic GSX-R experts out there.
I own two of them an 86 and an 87, I was always under the impression that there were no drastic changes made from 86 to 88, yet the two bikes side by side are quite different. Mainly the tank on the 87 is much larger and the forks are about 60 mm longer over all. Also the 86 feels lighter and less "chunky".
Any thoughts on this???

Cheers

Rik

A quick check of the chassis #'s will reveal all - as Robin has said it sounds as though one of them is a 7~11 conversion which as long as it's set up properly will be an absolute hoot to ride...

Enjoy

Cheers