My 1100GS is knackered but I'm not sure...

[steve case]

My 1100GS is knackered but I'm not sure if I want to get the 1200!

It has benefits over the 1100 in that it weighs less and the 1100 is a bit of a bus (and thats not because i'm dainty believe me).

The 1100 has single point injectors which are good for lack of complexity and give good fuel returns but are not the smoothest, is the 1200 better?

The gearbox on the 1100 is ok but you can't rush it how does the 1200 compare?

I've heard whispers about the batteries failing on early 1200's what was the fault and how would I know its resolved.

I've seen a couple of things about gearboxes on early 1200's as well, was there an issue and what was the cure, also what should I look for to make sure any work has been carried out?

Does it still have the stability of the 1100 and does it take a battering like the 1100 could?

Does it really have a mag ring imobiliser on the ignition lock and how is it disabled when it breaks and I want to throw it in the bin? F**kin stupid idea!

 

[Wrigsby1]

Whats knackered your 11 and is it fixable...... or is it just an excuse for your girlie

 

[Mr K]

Don't do it: 1200s are pants.

Been hating mine for 54,127 miles and 6 years..

 

[CHANGELING]

If you really hate your 1100GS, park it in Lewsey Farm Park somewhere overnight and hey presto job done

then claim on the ins and spend away

 

[Vern]

Come on then, how do you knacked an 1100 then, do tell

 

[MMC]

Come on then, how do you knacked an 1100 then, do tell

I'd quite like to know how too.

 

[steve case]

well its like this...

I love my GS but its just worn, the mileage I think is between 70K and 90K and its been ragged by the 1st owner who used to pull wheelies on it and I think dispatched and me the 3rd owner who used to rag it up and down the M1 between Northampton and Hatfield.

It runs but its just lots and lots of bits need doing to make it feel anywhere near good again, and I just can't be arsed anymore I want to ride the thing not keep fixing it.

Oh and before you say they don't wear out hers a few.

Clutch at 40K -yes I know I thought that was low as well, the 1st owner either clutched it a lot when he pulled wheelies or the mileage was bolloxs!

Rings at 50K - good healthy increase in power. I also replaced the barrels + pistons (2nd hand) as the Nikasil was chipped in places and it burnt oil, i think this is due to letting the oil drop too low and the engine overheating.

replaced Injector body at 56K - tried to balance the injectors (no I'm not great at this but the BMW place sets tickover at 900rpm. one would not adjust so swapped it out bingo instant adjustement and smooth running.

Starter motor 61K - they fail progressively and kill yer battery and then jam, replaced with 2nd hand which did the same so got rid of the french standard shit and got a Mitsubishi starter.

62K Engine rattle - not heads not valve gear maybe cam chains maybe even oil pump tho this is less likely so swapped the engine out so I can take my original apart and have a look and before you ask because I can...

I ain't getting rid of it I just want somethin to run while i tinker around and turn into something maybe simpler to keep running and deffo lighter.

 

[MMC]

Fair enough Steve.

Sounds nicely run-in to me

That rattle might be throttle body butterfly p'raps? Mine does it too.

 

[Pip_UK]

Hi Steve, looks like your 1100 has finally found sanctuary with someone to care for it properly!

I have a 2007 1200 and a 1996 1100 which I couldn't bear to chop in, and maybe can comment on some of your points:

The 1200 feels much lighter, friskier and pointy-squirty than the 11, but still has that big GS planted feel and reassuring poise in corners. The gearbox is much slicker, with neutral always easy to find, and the brakes are quite a bit sharper, needing only 2 fingers even at 2-up touring weight.

The 1200 engine feels smoother and revvier than the 11, but still has plenty of grunt. It also sounds rortier than the relaxed sewing machine pobble of the 11.

A small detail but the bar grips in the 12 feel skinny after the plump sausages of the 11 - took me all of 10 seconds to dial into that. And I find the 1200's grippy seat more comfortable than the now-shiny perch of my 11.

Basically the 1200 feels like it's been sculpted from aluminium, whereas the 11feels like its been chiseled from a block of pig iron by comparison. Still love it though.

A test ride should give you a pretty good idea of how you feel about it.

 

[CHANGELING]

OK This is more serious than I thought ....Marsh Farm then

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Basically the 1200 feels like it's been sculpted from plastic

Fixed it for you

 

[steve case]

Thanks lads

I could leave it in the Hockwell ring but they'd try light it and smoke it... or just light it!

Not throttle bodies I know what that sounds like and it tends to be rev dependant, it seems to get louder around 1500rpm but at tickover they're not so loud. anyway ones brand new and the others go's away when the pinkie is stuck on it.

I thought it was the auxiliary chain to the auxiliary shaft so I replaced the tensioners and chain and when I took the tensioners out the wear on them was 1/2 way thru in some places, but this didn't sort it.

I've been thru all of it and in the end I thought this engine is so strong it'll take a rebuild and I've never seen inside one so why not (not looking forward to sealing the crankcase halves together tho!)

But in the meantime I need something I can just jump on and go and this is just too old and long in the tooth now so it will never just pound on for mile after mile without needing attention somewhere.

Kind of like myself really.

 

[Vern]

Sounds like you need new,or better ear plugs to me

Timolgra is flogging a TDM 850 if you need something to jump on and go

 

[STUBBS]

dont give up on it youll only regret it

 

[Littledumptruck]

OK This is more serious than I thought ....Marsh Farm then

Thought marsh farm was one of the safest places to live in Luton now, after all the money thats been spent there since the riots.

Hockwell ring I hear is the real pits these days??

 

[CHANGELING]

Hey I haven't been near Luton for at least 11 years so what would I know. My first bike was a Suzuki GP1oo with 125 head and barrels and a Micron pipe back in the Eighties. It disappeared one night and turned up a month later in a ditch in Lewsey Farm Park having been stripped to a field bike and thrashed to death. Originally from Leighton Buzzard. I always thought that Hockwell Ring was just a bus turning circle not a whole estate.

 

[Wrigsby1]

Suprised about the bores etc but oil levels are easily ignored by the ignorant (not you, the 1st two). TB's are usually easily servicable by you or someone like Steve Schrim. Rattles are common on not very high mile bikes but are usually to do with one of the chains.

The biggest rattle is usually from the biggest chain which sounds bad but isn't too bad. Oil pressure adjuster on the main chain and rattles are also common on K's but just sound worse in 11's due to it's twinism. You should be able to get to that through the front cover.

Unless it' really crap I wouldn't split the cases for a look unless you are really, really curious. The bottom end are usually the strongest bit. My C/case joint weeped in the bellhousing and the seal seemed the usual BM jointing compound. Now fixed 'cos I tightened one or two bolts

Handling is subjective but they are affected most by the simple things like the pivot bearings, knackered shocks and tyres.

The R11 was built to shipyard spec while the R12's are built for the leisure masses by marketing

That should get the handbags twirling...