Drive shaft replacement question

[x01660]

Ok. So I've heard that there are differences in the final drive on the 1000, 1100, and 1200

I guess my question is if there's any benefit to swapping to an alternate final drive.

I'm getting an 83 Interstate, and I plan on riding everywhere. In town, on the highway, in the twisties, etc.

Would I benefit to swapping my final drive with one from a 1000 or a 1200? Is that even possible?

What are the pros and cons?

I must mention that I'm a bit rev happy, and will always shift at or near redline.

Thanks!

[Oldewing]

The only real swap is to put a 1000 swing arm and a 4.11 "gem" gear set. This gives you much better low end, Oldboy has this on one of his bikes.

I would just ride it.

[ericheath]

Get your 1100 up to snuff and see if you like it. If you need more revs, a set of 75-77 cams will liven it up and give a few more revs. They are almost a drop in.

[Sidecar Bob]

I've had a '79 GL1000 engine in my '83 for the last couple of decades. With the 1000 transmission and 1100 final drive the overall gearing was more than a gear higher than stock, which meant that I had to keep it a gear lower around town than I would have with the stock setup (no big deal unless you are drag racing) but on 80 Km/h (50 mph) or faster roads, which is where I am most of the time, it was really, really nice, not to mention the significant mileage improvement.

If you were to swap to a 1000 final drive your bike's overall gearing would be lowered by as much as mine was raised so you would be able to pull away really fast but it would be like keeping it in 4th gear (or actually a bit lower) when you should be in 5th. I don't know about you but I can't find any way to consider that an improvement.

BTW: Since I added the sidecar the higher gearing that was so nice on 2 wheels was not satisfactory, particularly when pulling away on a hill and especially with a passenger in the sidecar so I am in the process of replacing the '79 engine with an 1100 so that I can have the stock gearing.