'84 1200 engine for a '82 GW

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canuckxxxx

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I spotted this '85 1200 engine in the local kijiji and was thinking of dropping it into my '82 standard for the added power, torque, better primary drive, auto-valve adjustment, ignition not at back, quieter running. :Egyptian:
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-motorcycle-parts ... 1065234924

I couldn't/wouldn't pay $800 :shock: for it but might be able to scrape together $400-500. But I want to make sure I can get it in my bike and running without too many other expenses. My plan would be to swap it into the '82 right away and hopefully run it for the rest of the summer. :moped:

So I have a few question that I hope you can answer: :headscratch:

-From the pictures, does that look like an '85 engine?
-Will it fit in my '82 frame with no mods?
-I think '85 has hydraulic clutch linkage...would the clutch cover from my '82 fit and therefore allow me to keep the cable setup, at least for the short term.
-I think '85 has a pulse generator mounted on the front...is there an ignition box or controller that I would need to get or could I keep using my '82 ignitors?
-On my '82 I am running Neon coils but I also have the OE coil that are still good. Would either or both of these work with the '85 ignition?
-I would move my single carb setup over to the 1200...any red flags for doing that? Would the centre coolant collector from my '82 fit on the '85?
-I have a pretty low mileage Rick's stator in my '82...would that swap over to the '85.
-Should the guy be able to turn the engine over with a car battery to do a compression test with the engine out?
-Would my '82 exhaust bolt up to the '85?

That's all I can think of for now. Any other tips or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. :thanks:

Brian
 
It is an '85, or newer engine, and it will fit into your frame - Dan has an '84 1200 in his '83.
Your '82 clutch cover will not bolt up to the '85. It would on an '84.
You will need the '85 ignition CPU to run, as it controls timing...or install a C5 system.
The 1200 is about 15mm wider than the 1100, so your carb intake runners will need to be modified.
Not sure about the stator...
A car battery will turn over the engine just fine for a compression test.
The '82 exhaust headers will bolt up to the 1200.
 
I think you will have to do something with the drive shaft also, the 1100 requiring the cir clip at the engine and the 1200 uses a spring loaded ends to hold it in place.
 
Thanks for all the info guys. It's nice hearing from guys that have been there and done it.

Doesn't sound to bad actually. Once I get all the pieces the actually swap wouldn't be that hard.

Thanks for all the help. It's a long shot that the guy will come down from $800 to $400 and it's an even bigger long shot that you-know-who would let me spend another $600 on the old GW. :smilie_happy:

Brian
 
I'm not sure on the 85 engine into 1100 frame, but Joe putting 1200 (I don't remember which year 1200 he did) into a 1000 frame he had trouble with the belt covers. Seems like it was the right cover hitting the frame.
The 84 in my 83 1100 frame there is about an 1/8" clearance to frame.
 
If memory serves I think Hooch has the 86 engine. I think the 1000 frame is just a little tighter than the 1100. There was something on the belt covers? I think he used 1000 or 1100 covers but had to make them thinner because the 1200 mounts them further out from the motor? Probably in the Hooch build thread somewhere but that's a loooong read.
 
When I talked to Joe this morning he said the 85 belt covers should go on but will be a close fit and a bit tricky.

For sure the output shaft has to be changed so you have the spring clip to hold the drive shaft on.

The clutch cover from an 1100 won't fit the 1200 so you have to go with hydro clutch.
 
On my 85 into a 1000 the 1200 belt covers needed a little grinding on the lower right. It did not go through the aluminum. Don't forget you can skip the 1200 black box ignition, igniters, and associated paraphernalia if you put 1100 or 1000 heads on it.
 
Thanks for the heads up on the belt covers, but both cases that you were talking about are for 1200 into 1000. Maybe 1200 into 1100 would be different.

So, Eric, if I put my 1100 heads on, how would that change the ignition setup? Would it then go on the left head, 1000 style?

I can see that using 1100 heads would let me use my mech. FP. Also with 1100 heads it would still look like an 1100 engine.

BTW I have a line on a couple of other 1200s that might be cheaper. I can't make any moves until next week so will see what is available then.

Thanks
Brian
 

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