'82 motor for '83 bike? good idea?

[joedrum]

it can fit ... final drives are the same ratio ...but you have to split the case to put it in ... so its big job ...yes the 5th gear on 80-81 are the lowest of all oldwings ... 82 5th is like 1000 5th but 82 gear spread is much better than 1000 is ...83 is taller yet ...and the gear spread is as good as the 1200s just a little lower final drive than 1200s making them taller overall

 

[dan filipi]

I put 83 trans in an 81 block.
It is quite a job.
You need both gear shafts and gears and the final driven gear for all the gears to line up.
One 81 shifter fork needed to be ground a bit to clear a gear.
As it sits, my 81 with 83 gears will pop out of 4th under certain load conditions. I'm not sure what's causing this.

 

[sgq700]

Thank You Much Joe & Dan!! You fellas are Great!! I think i'll just look for a used 83 engine..

 

[kerryb]

Good news...the width of the front discs is the same on the '82 and the '83. cast wheels vs comstars.
Does anyone have an opinion of which forks are preferred for handling? I'll guess the trac forks with anti-dive are better if the anti-dive is working properly.
On the tranny gearing question, my Clymer manual says the transmissions final drive ratio for '82 and '83 is the same so the difference would be in the rear hub gearing and tire size. Am I thinking this right?

 

[joedrum]

yes the 82 is the lowest geared cause it has 16" wheel as oppose to 17" for 80-81 ... 82 is not bad gearing unless touring is the main thing

 

[Steve83]

GL1100 80-83 Service Manual Page 2-4

• WindNWing
• Oct 16, 2012