1100GS - restore or not...

[Dave T]

I have a dilemma, sort of...
I have a 1997 1100GS with a mere 25k miles, and, once I've sorted the wiring fault to the brake light, 12m MOT.
It is, however, a little cosmetically challenged - crusty fasteners, flaking engine paint, a little corrosion on the front engine cover, the odd scuff here and there. Not bad by any stretch - your average 30 year old bike, looks worse than it is, but could be a lot better.
Would you sink a chunk of money into it, knowing you won't get it back - new suspension, stainless fixings, sort the engine finish and the corroded exhaust studs, probably a wiring loom (just because it's now 30 years old), anything else you find once you start taking it apart etc etc...maybe £3-4k (that I was going to spend on buying a Harley Sportster) on a bike that might be worth £3-and-a bit-k when done but would do me reliably for another decade? Or would you sell it 'as is' with the 12m MOT for £2-and-a-bit-k, and put the £4k to an already 'sorted' bike for £6-7k... ?
I like the 1100 (a lot) - I don't need anything 'more' - it's reliable (bar the current wiring issue), comfy, plenty quick enough..., I do have a hankering for an airhead that raises it's head periodically... I'd be happy to keep the 1100, but once I'm in 'negative equity' as it were, I couldn't contemplate selling it...
So... fettle, or buy one (1100 or R100) restored?

 

[Emm]

I think only you can really answer that question !
If you really like the 1100 and see yourself owning and riding it for the next 10 years then yes invest some time and money getting the old girl the way you want it. They are incredibly reliable when properly sorted and ride, handle and stop as well as anything out there and have a charm all of their own even compared to the 1150's, I personally prefer the 5 speed box and think it suits the GS for most riding conditions except maybe fast motorway slogs but then the 1100 or 1150 aren't perfect for this as they drink fuel at an alarming rate.
If you are the sort or person who chops and changes your bikes often then don't spend any money on it, you probability wont get it back.
I prefer using my 1100gs for most of my ride outs instead of a 2024 1250 adventure that I also own, so that should tell you something about how good these old oil heads really are !

 

[Dave T]

I think only you can really answer that question !
If you really like the 1100 and see yourself owning and riding it for the next 10 years then yes invest some time and money getting the old girl the way you want it. They are incredibly reliable when properly sorted and ride, handle and stop as well as anything out there and have a charm all of their own even compared to the 1150's, I personally prefer the 5 speed box and think it suits the GS for most riding conditions except maybe fast motorway slogs but then the 1100 or 1150 aren't perfect for this as they drink fuel at an alarming rate.
If you are the sort or person who chops and changes your bikes often then don't spend any money on it, you probability wont get it back.
I prefer using my 1100gs for most of my ride outs instead of a 2024 1250 adventure that I also own, so that should tell you something about how good these old oil heads really are !

Thank you - I know only I can answer the question really... I'm more after some alternate perspectives - a bit of 'food for thought' if you will. I don't chop and change bikes - I've owned this for over 5 years. I think 5 years is the shortest I've ever kept a bike. Actually, no, 3 years - the Speed Triple that I hated got traded in for my first GS... apart from that one.... at least 5 years...
Motorway slogs - yes, fast... not so much... I just don't ride like that - more likely to sit at 65-70 all day than 75-80+ for a few hours.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Do it
The 1100GS is a nice bike to own

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

Do it
The 1100GS is a nice bike to own

Indeed it is/was, I had one of the last ones off the production line in 1999 and kept it for 15 years.... not sure who has my old one now.

 

[dub 24]

Was in a similar dilemma a few years ago. My experience if you go all in once you tidy one area the rest beside it will look sh**e and will spend a ton of money. Better to make it respectable from a walk by point of view ie not a pre inspection view. Sand off all the loose paint with a sand and a paint brush of hammerite paint As you said spend money on improved suspension. Recovering the seat etc all the things that benefit the riding experience. Replace repaint crusty bits.

 

[Paul Young]

I’ve always bought for the long term so still have my 1150 after 26yrs and have sunk plenty into it over the years. When I looked at refurbishing the forks a year ago, there was no question that they would be sorted but instead of the refurb, I sunk £1200 into some 1250 forks and did the modification to newer, better forks and brakes.

I’d do the work on the bike you know and like rather than gamble on putting it all into something unknown. But that’s me…

 

[snelly]

I have a dilemma, sort of...
I have a 1997 1100GS with a mere 25k miles, and, once I've sorted the wiring fault to the brake light, 12m MOT.
It is, however, a little cosmetically challenged - crusty fasteners, flaking engine paint, a little corrosion on the front engine cover, the odd scuff here and there. Not bad by any stretch - your average 30 year old bike, looks worse than it is, but could be a lot better.
Would you sink a chunk of money into it, knowing you won't get it back - new suspension, stainless fixings, sort the engine finish and the corroded exhaust studs, probably a wiring loom (just because it's now 30 years old), anything else you find once you start taking it apart etc etc...maybe £3-4k (that I was going to spend on buying a Harley Sportster) on a bike that might be worth £3-and-a bit-k when done but would do me reliably for another decade? Or would you sell it 'as is' with the 12m MOT for £2-and-a-bit-k, and put the £4k to an already 'sorted' bike for £6-7k... ?
I like the 1100 (a lot) - I don't need anything 'more' - it's reliable (bar the current wiring issue), comfy, plenty quick enough..., I do have a hankering for an airhead that raises it's head periodically... I'd be happy to keep the 1100, but once I'm in 'negative equity' as it were, I couldn't contemplate selling it...
So... fettle, or buy one (1100 or R100) restored?

The value is what you get out of riding it; you could go down the oily rag route which would'nt stop it from giving you the ride you seem to love; you have said yourself you have a 1250 you hardley use ; that must tell you something. I'am in the same boat with my 1100 (95) which is a bit tatty in places but always run and rode fantastic.

 

[Dave T]

The value is what you get out of riding it; you could go down the oily rag route which would'nt stop it from giving you the ride you seem to love; you have said yourself you have a 1250 you hardley use ; that must tell you something. I'am in the same boat with my 1100 (95) which is a bit tatty in places but always run and rode fantastic.

No, it's not me with the 1250... it was @Emm in his reply...
I have the 1100 as my 'big bike' and a Honda Monkey...

 

[Moto Bikemad]

Buy the HD for a change, ride it next summer and if you don’t like it then pick up a 1100/1150.
To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.

 

[HxH]

Personally I would keep the 1100gs, 25K miles is nothing to them, spend time over this coming winter, fixing, touching up any bits on 1100gs to improve it, save from looking worse, spend more time on it, than money..while having fun days on the Monkey bike.
Budget how much your willing to spend.
Maybe swap for an airhead later.
Test ride a HD, you might hate it, but at least try one before buying.
Then decide what to do the following year.

 

[Emm]

The value is what you get out of riding it; you could go down the oily rag route which would'nt stop it from giving you the ride you seem to love; you have said yourself you have a 1250 you hardley use ; that must tell you something. I'am in the same boat with my 1100 (95) which is a bit tatty in places but always run and rode fantastic.

I have 44k on the 1250 so it’s well used but mostly for two up touring and like the added safety features etc when two up with the Mrs but for solo rides and local trips I prefer 1100gs

 

[twizzle]

Just keep it mechanically sorted, wipe it over occasionally and ride it.

Restoring it will be a money pit and the bike will not carry the cost into value.

 

[snelly]

No, it's not me with the 1250... it was @Emm in his reply...
I have the 1100 as my 'big bike' and a Honda Monkey...

Sorry my mistake Dave;;

I have 44k on the 1250 so it’s well used but mostly for two up touring and like the added safety features etc when two up with the Mrs but for solo rides and local trips I prefer 1100gs

The mrs does'nt like my 1100 having spent 25 years on the back of my old ZZR 1100 touring all over Europe and fannying around GB; so my GS has been used mostly for solo work much like yourself;; i have an SX 1000 for both of us these days.

 

[Wrigsby1]

Just keep it mechanically sorted, wipe it over occasionally and ride it.

Restoring it will be a money pit and the bike will not carry the cost into value.

Totally agree... Enjoy the bike, fix what's needed and keep it as a low value good quality bike... There not a ton of probs on an 11 and the wiring is pretty solid...
As with quite a few on here, once you start messing you can't stop and end up sinking £££s in you won't get back and fixing problems that never existed...

 

[shifty]

"I like the 1100 (a lot) - I don't need anything 'more' - it's reliable (bar the current wiring issue), comfy, plenty quick enough...,"

i think youve answered your own question,,
just bought an 1150 that needs going through and i will prob,, no def,, spend on it more than its worth,,but im not going to sell it so the cost is somewhat a non issue,,

100% restore it and ride it

 

[Dave T]

Well over the weekend, away walking in North Yorks., I dropped a few subtle hints with the present Mrs T...
It seems chopping the 1100GS in and spending an additional £4k on a bike does not garner universal domestic support...
However, spending the same £4k on the 1100GS does not even cause a raised a raised eyebrow...
Even though the end result is the same outlay, and the same number of bikes in the garage.
Mrs T does not ever come out pillion....Go figure...

Decision (I think) made)....... Let the fettling commence...
I might even start a thread to track my progress....(not so much for me to show off my mechanical ineptitude, more to ask all of the 'stupid questions' )

 

[GedJack]

Look forward to the thread. Good luck with it.

 

[Psyko]

Good call! Aside from the money, there is a lot of enjoyment (and a certain amount of frustration) in getting an old bike sorted the way you want it. And a lot of options out there in terms of parts etc. I've had my 2003 1150GS for twenty years - one owner from this parish before me - and I have had a lot of fun over the years changing it around. At this stage it doesn't owe me anything really - I contemplated selling it recently (an annual event at this point - it's a bit heavy for me at times now) but everytime I take it out for a final spin, I change my mind! Look forward to following your thread. I always learn something new from this forum.

 

[Dave T]

Look forward to following your thread. I always learn something new from this forum.

I think the things you'll most likely learn are how not to do things, and how to spend too much money on an old bike