'82 motor for '83 bike? good idea?

[kerryb]

I need some opinions, is this a good idea? I found a low mileage '82 GL1100 interstate with a good motor for $700 ish. I don't want another bike, but the motor in my '83 has 117000 miles on it and has questionable compression, and blows smoke 1/2 the time.
I could use the fork tubes if they interchange with the TRAC fork, but I don't want comstar wheels.
The '82 hit a mailbox and did a bunch of damage to the bodywork but the frame and engine seem quite good. didn't hear it run but I trust the seller on the good compression numbers.

What do you think? Would this sound like a good engine swap? I would sell the wheels, a titled frame and other good stuff I end up with.

 

[joedrum]

the 82 is not geared as tall as 83 but yes good swap to do with no problems really

 

[Steve83]

The '82 engine will work fine. There are very minor differences in transmission gearing, but that's all.

 

[zman]

I`m not sure the 82 had Trac forks...Thought it was 83 only, calipers are the same though.
Woops..Just read you wanted just the tubes..Not sure what size they are.

 

[wilcoy02]

83 had the trac

 

[Steve83]

The fork tubes are the same part numbers for all 1100's.

 

[backyardtrouble]

the motor will work and i think the tubes are 39 mm in both, so they should work. So you might have enough left over parts to get some or most of your money back going that way. I would probably go for it....but i would like to hear it run also first, just my thoughts..been there done that.... oh2: but not anymore..unless i know the bike and motor...or..take a compression test yourself first.

 

[kerryb]

the '82 doesn't have trac forks...if the '83 wheels would fit the '82 forks, then I would swap the whole fork, but that leaves the question of the disc spacing on the cast wheels of the '83

 

[joedrum]

its not hard to line up rotors really

 

[mcgovern61]

Kinda funny.....I went the other way....'83 motor in an '82! It was an easy swap. The only real difference from the '82 and '83 was the wire plug from the neutral switch.

 

[zman]

Hey guys..Didnt the Trac forks have the air port on the tube itself instead of on the cap?

 

[dan filipi]

zman » Mon Apr 07, 2014 7:21 pm[/url]":hof2s9vv]
Hey guys..Didnt the Trac forks have the air port on the tube itself instead of on the cap?

My trac forks have fittings in the caps.

 

[Steve83]

On the neutral switch wiring, the '82 doesn't have the Overdrive position. You could swap the front covers, and change seals and water pump - if it's worn - while you have the engines out.

+1 on the fork caps.

 

[Joep]

My 85 interstate, and my 2 magna's an 82 and 84 all were in the cap... all have the anti dive...

 

[kerryb]

All good points...
the air stuff is in the cap on the '83.
the water pump is new on the '83, I could switch that over.
I have to go do some research...will the gearing on the '82 be significantly different than the '83?
I hope to pull a small trailer with this when completed, I like to go 75mph but not much more with a trailer in tow.

Thanks for all the feedback, if the seller says yes, I guess I'll go for it.

 

[joedrum]

the 83 gearing is the best but the 82 is close to it ... and might be better choice with trailer as it has the lowest first gear of all other oldwings with its 16" wheel its about 4200rpm at 70 mph witch aint bad I think 83 is about 3700 plus on rpm at 70mph ... this is not super accurate just close ... id say 82 gearing fits trailer hauling better than others

 

[dan filipi]

joedrum » Tue Apr 08, 2014 10:56 am[/url]":dduiwopj]
the 83 gearing is the best but the 82 is close to it ... and might be better choice with trailer as it has the lowest first gear of all other oldwings with its 16" wheel its about 4200rpm at 70 mph witch aint bad I think 83 is about 3700 plus on rpm at 70mph ... this is not super accurate just close ... id say 82 gearing fits trailer hauling better than others

Agreed. A bit lower gearing pulling a trailer will help the 1100 on hills.

 

[wilcoy02]

I have an 80 engine in my 83 and I pull a trailer. Had no problem. The neutral wire was different, and the red light in the speedo for the air shocks was not hooked up because the 83 speedo did not have it

I have over 10,000 miles on the bike now.

 

[Joep]

I pulled my trailer with my 81 from Dallas to Colorado Springs.. managed to do a sweeping steep hill... about 50 mph up the hill. Two up and loaded trailer. Was planning to tent camp.. ended up staying in a lodge.. so trailer was on heavy side.. my trailer is a cut down dilly trailer.. with 18 cu.ft car topper xcargo box.. also pulled it to Hannibal, MO... but that had less hills then the CO trip.

 

[sgq700]

Not to hyjack,i have a question. will the gears from a 83 transmission work in my 80 engine and is the final drive gear the same ratio from a 83 to a 80?? I need to get rid of some rpm at 75mph