'82 Suzuki GS1100G - asking for help!

[JimmyR]

I am really impressed with some of the projects shown here and while mine hasn't quite started yet I need some help to get it up and running. I bought the bike off ebay a couple of days ago and haven't received it yet. But it has an aftermarket 4-1 exhaust and for what I want I much prefer a 4-2 like the original spec. But it seems really difficult to find headers for a 4-2 for my bike. MAC do a 4-2 for the 16 valve version of my bike but mine has the 8-valve engine and they say the 4-2 won't fit.

So far it seems easy to find the muffler parts I like (I actually want to use reverse taper megaphones) but impossible to find the 4-2 headers. Does anyone know where I can find some 4-2 headers that will fit? Will some years of 850 headers fit?

Also - if I want to show you guys how the bike is going how do I post pics?

Thanks!

[XS650]

Hi Jimmy keen to see how this develops... i've got an '84 GS1100... you may have to get the 4 -2 headers custom built but there are a few local guys who can do it.

[JimmyR]

Well yeah that's an option I guess - sounds expensive! I see you have an XS650 Brat - that sounds cool. I only got the 1100 because the pics on ebay made it look like a great candidate for a brat style - bloody big brat but that ok by me!

[19andrew59]

SUZUKI GS1100 GS1100G GS 1100G EXHAUST PIPES MUFFLERS NICE! | eBay

83 SUZUKI GS1100 GS 1100 GS1100G EXHAUST, MUFFLERS #E2 | eBay

Maybe try the wreckers as well.

[JimmyR]

Hey Thanks Andrew. Actually I have a bid on that first set. I emailed the guy selling the second set about freight and he said around $500! Ouch!

After reading some more stuff here I tried Two wheel wreckers (or whatever they are called) in ozzy park and they might have something but it looked a bit grim. Oh well, I guess that's what pipe wrap is for! :-)

So far I have found that this place is very cool and very helpful.

[Jamathi]

PM Shedman.
He is here on the forum and knows where to get the GS parts

[JimmyR]

Thanks - I'll try that now! My bike will be here next monday and I can't wait.

[XS650]

cool Jimmy... I have the full workshop manual if you get stuck when it comes to pulling the bike apart.... if you are planning to 'Brat' it I may be interested in some of the original parts if you're selling them.... and if you check out Rex's Garage Project Blog - there's links to it on his posts - there are pics of my xs650 on there somewhere (I'd post some myself but this interwebz thing is too technical for me)

[shedman1300]

I got mine made in NSW they are 4 into 2 original style.
A mate who is also on here TravisGSX has had some really nice headers made for his period 5 bikes locally.
They don't come chromed but can be, they would suit the brat style.
Will PM his number

[Jamathi]

[CBT]

I also have used a Motad 4-1 system on my GSX11. It was cheaper to get it posted through Wemoto rather than buying here in Perth. It would be worth checking the Wemoto website to see what they have for you, as there are some 4-2 systems listed for old Suzukis.
Good luck and stick with it. :-)

[CBT]

..just checked wemoto, it looks like they have Marving 4-2 mufflers in a pair for a bit over 200 pounds sterling. You can reduce the price by 17.5% euro VAT, and when you add postage it comes out at around the listed price, but including delivery.

[JimmyR]

Yeah I saw those - they look really good. If I can find the right headers then they could be a good option. I wonder why they don't do the headers as well? Why do they just do the mufflers and 2-1 bit? Weird. And as a guitar player I am all too aware of how much cheaper it can be to bring stuff in from Europe or the US - Gibson guitars can be less than half the price from the US!

I really appreciate all the suggestions guys. Thanks.

[Rex Havoc]

Hey Thanks Andrew. Actually I have a bid on that first set. I emailed the guy selling the second set about freight and he said around $500! Ouch!

After reading some more stuff here I tried Two wheel wreckers (or whatever they are called) in ozzy park and they might have something but it looked a bit grim. Oh well, I guess that's what pipe wrap is for! :-)

So far I have found that this place is very cool and very helpful.

I just had a full exhaust system arrive from California yesterday. The postage cost from US Postal Service.......$105.

The two you posted look good. If you decide you want a custom job, we could have a look at it for you.

[JimmyR]

It's crazy how much shipping costs vary. I actually prefer USPS for a lot of stuff because it is pretty reasonable price-wise and I have never lost anything. I have noticed that shipping through the post office has slowed down a lot this year though - maybe it's the extra volume of US>Aust traffic because of the strength of our dollar?

Rex - I love your blog. I read bits out to my wife sometimes. She sympathises with your wife.

[JimmyR]

Ok I just picked up my bike. It runs quite well but is filthy and needs a LOT of work. I have already fixed the headlight and everything seems to work ok but I need to put some mirrors on it to get it licensed. I've already got some parts I know I'll need ordered - grips, better stator, new (old) tank, that sort of thing. Thanks to Shedman I have someone to call re pipes. I think I'll get new wheel and fork bearings and some brake caliper rebuild parts - maybe even new discs.

Apart from that it will be tearing everything down to get engine cases blasted and check the pistons. I want to clean up the frame and maybe change the rear subframe a bit - I'll need help with that because I don't weld. I wish I did but every time I ask someone who can weld to teach me they say "you don't want to weld"!

Now that the bike is here I can see how much work is in front of me! Oh well, one step at a time... :-)