Engine swap - will it fit?

From basic novice to the hard core cutomizing. Sharing tips, tricks and knowledge. Feel
free to ask question or give us your "2 cents".

Moderators: sunnbobb, Neil, Forum Moderators

Post Reply
User avatar
dontwantapickle
Silver Member
Silver Member
Posts: 946
Joined: Fri Oct 13, 2017 9:26 pm
Location: Colorado

Engine swap - will it fit?

#1

Post by dontwantapickle »

76 gl1000 engine into a 80 gl1100 frame........
Will it bolt right in? What mods would be involved to make it fit?

Why?
because I have a good 1000 engine and a 1100 wing that needs an engine.

Thanks.
User avatar
CYBORG
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 24536
Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:52 pm
Location: Muskegon mich

Re: Engine swap - will it fit?

#2

Post by CYBORG »

My guess would be yes. But if you have both already, take a few measurements. Even if there are a few minor changes needed , can't be to hard.
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
User avatar
wingrider
SUPER BIKER!!!!
SUPER BIKER!!!!
Posts: 3724
Joined: Thu May 24, 2012 12:15 pm
Location: Maple Lake, MN USA

Re: Engine swap - will it fit?

#3

Post by wingrider »

It’ll fit no problem!
2002 1800 Wing
2001 Valkyrie Interstate
1978 1200 EFI Wing with Motorvation Coupe Royale sidecar
1977 1200 Wing cafe/bobber project
1974 Suzuki GT550
User avatar
ericheath
Honored Life Member
Honored Life Member
Posts: 9580
Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:20 am
Location: Winnipeg, Manituba

Re: Engine swap - will it fit?

#4

Post by ericheath »

Only thing I can think of is ignition setup. You can use the 1000 ignition, but a rework of 1100 ignition. Coils will be too low resistance for the 1000 system. I think the 1980 had very low ohm coils. An additional ballast would probably make them suitable. I believe the carb linkages will bolt up to the 76. It will strain a bit more to take off from the lower gearing of the 1100 final drive, 3.1 vs 3.4.
Whatever I suggest here should be given ample time for a moderator to delicately correct. I apologize in advance.
77 WING, 1200 engine with 77 heads, cams, gl1100 foot pegs, Magna V65 front end, 764A carbs, [-gone Suzuki M109 monoshock--, replaced with gl1100 shocks] gl 1200 swing arm, gl1500 final drive, wheel and rear brakes Valkyrie seat, Meanstreak tank, Sportster pipes, Power Arc ignition off crank.
77 Wing. black
83 Wing, in pieces
"Continuing education is important even if the subject matter is fairly useless (as in this case)."---Greg Foresi
User avatar
Sidecar Bob
Honored Life Member
Honored Life Member
Posts: 7631
Joined: Sun Jun 11, 2006 10:14 pm
Location: Kawartha Lakes, Ontario

Re: Engine swap - will it fit?

#5

Post by Sidecar Bob »

I've had a '79 engine in an '83 bike for 21 years. The engine bolted in exactly like the original but the 1000 has points and the 1100 transistor ignition so I had to remove the ignition units, add a couple of generic automotive condensers and figure out the wiring. The '83 coils are the same resistance as the 1000 coils so I didn't have to change them but IIRC, Eric is right about the low resistance coils on earlier 1100s.

Re ballast resistor, my 1100 coils had a ballast resistor like the 1000's but the 1100 doesn't short the ballast when you press the Start button like the 1000 does so it always had to crank a bit longer than a stock bike. A few yeas ago I converted to Dyna S ignition (which eliminated the need for condensers) and it needed to crank even longer (probably because the Dyna draws a lot of current). A couple of years ago I replaced the original coils with GL1500 coils, which don't need a ballast resistor and after that it started very quickly.

Re gearing: The combination of 1000 transmission and 1100 final drive yields overall gearing more than a gear higher than either stock bike would be. That was wonderful on 2 wheels because it meant that, at the expense of pulling away a bit less aggressively (no big deal if you aren't drag racing) and having to gear down in town or when passing, it would loaf along at much lower RPM on the highway and the mileage was better too. Unfortunately, it isn't so great with the sidecar so I am in the process of preparing an 1100 engine to restore the original gearing.
Mr. Honda ('83 GL1100/Dnepr) summer How a motorcycle evolves thread
The Famous Eccles ('84 CX650EI/VeloUral) winter Never Ending Build (CX500forum)
Click: Colour schematics for all GL1000 & GL1100 and GL1200 standard models plus instructions on how to download the full size version
"A guy with two sidecars can't be all bad." - Cookie
Another guy with two sidecars..... Hmmmm... must be something to that....
Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to “GoldWing UnderGround CustomiZing”