Airhead on Steroids - Carbed 1100GS

[davnjud]

I have owned an unusual 'airhead' a carb converted 1100 for 9 years. Conversion was done by Gary H as described in this interesting thread. more details in the bikes for sale section.

Thread 'Bye Bye Fuel Injection'

Apr 9, 2011

Bye Bye Fuel Injection and good riddance
I have just converted my 1100GS to carburetors and fair play what a difference
I have never been 100% happy with the way it ran ever since i first got it
But like everythink else about the bike
It now pulls cleanly from 25 MPH in top
You can ride it at walking pace in first without all the horrible snatching it used to have
It also seems to go better as well
Some one must have rebuilt my gearbox when i was not looking cuz the gear change is so much smoother too
Infact it now rides like a big Airhead and thats fine by me ...

• Garry H
• Replies: 38
• Forum: 850/1100/1150 Oilheads

 

[NeilDD]

Sorry to disappoint you, but that's an Oilhead, not an Airhead, hence Gary's original thread in the 850/1100/1150 Oilheads section

 

[davnjud]

Agreed but it’s my impression that airhead owners like me ( R80, R100RS) are more interested in carburated engines. I guess the inverted commas were a bit too subtle for you.

 

[Gelandestrasse]

An interesting airhead would be a fuel injected one….

 

[The Other PaulG]

9 years of ownership suggests that you really like it. Have you ridden it back to back with a standard 1100? If so, would you say the difference was worth the effort?

I realise that for Garry there was value in the project alone, working through the various challenges.

 

[Kenny]

Had a 1100GS Anniversary converted by Schrimminger. Loved it and regretted the sale immediately ( was a twat if going on reserve though, had to suck petrol through again )

 

[davnjud]

Ridden it back to back with several 1200’s including those with hilltop map adjustment and it’s better for slow work and pulling taller gears. Definitely a big improvement over standards as reflected in this general thread with multiple views about the issue.

Thread 'Carbs on an oilhead'

Jul 12, 2010

I'd heard about ditching the fuel injection system from an oil head a while back, Steve Scriminger of SED had mentioned it a couple of times and having had work done on various airhead parts through him (carb refurbishments, heads etc) I knew he was pretty thorough, just a little bit fussy, and not one to spin a yarn to get a job

In March someone mailed me a copy of the BMW Club Monthly rag, not being a member I don't get it but it featured an article on Scriminger Engineering and one of the pictures was of my 80 g/s PD, and the subject of fitting carbs was mentioned.

Included in the...

• Thunder
• Replies: 42
• Forum: GS Mods

I preferred the 1100 pan versus the 1300 pan for the same reasons. No problem getting 250 miles out of the adventure tank on mine or with problems siphoning petrol as detailed ed by Gary in his thread. A carbureted full size GS isa rare and wonderful thing which is why I have held onto mine so long.