Cylinder base gasket replacement

[kikdrum18]

Rich, you're making a really good point. Stop making sense. It's getting expensive...LoL.

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Sorry. Not sorry.
It’s just that I was where you are 2 years ago. It wasn’t an oil leak. I put a hole in a valve. Reconditioned a used head, lapped valves, replaced rings and valve seals, honed barrels. It wasn’t terribly expensive for the parts. Just a lot of work, most of which I had no experience doing. Good folks here encouraged and helped me whenever I got stuck.

But, we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Find the leak. Could be a very simple fix.

[kikdrum18]

I'll be investigating tonight, but the leak may be coming from the cam tension adjustment gasket. That would explain a puddle on top of the case.
I tried to download the Bike Cliff's manual with no luck.... stupid computer.
Anyone know what's involved in removing the cam tension adjuster if that happens to be the issue? I was told the first step is getting the engine to top dead center, otherwise it will not go well.

[Rich82GS750TZ]

https://www.bwringer.com/gs/camchaintens.html

https://www.bwringer.com/gs/tdc.html

[rphillips]

My opinion, you don't realize how much you need a repair manual, of some kind, for your bike. You may be like me, the computer stuff can get me confused. for me a Factory manual is best, Clymer 2nd, and Haynes 3 rd. but all are good... The tensioner removal is pretty simple, but reading it with drawings is by far better than somebody explaining it to you... I don't remember anything about having to get on Top Dead Center to remove, replace, or fix the tensioner.

[kikdrum18]

Excellent Rich! Thanks!

[kikdrum18]

Yes, rphillips. It becoming very apparent that one will come in handy.
But you have to admit, the links provided by Rich are very detailed.. and a little entertaining...LoL.

[rphillips]

No doubt all the same info. is available on the computer. It's just a lot easier for me to find it in a book, it seems, on the computer, I usually don't hit the right buttons or scroll the right direction to find that info. With the book I can't mess up... Index, Cam tensioner remove and replace p. 168-170... I've never punched the wrong button finding that... Good luck.

[Rich82GS750TZ]

The links I provided are from Bikecliff's website:

https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/

middle bottom of the page.

Additional Maintenance Guides and Info:
Mr. bwringer's fine tutorials

- carb sync, cam chain tensioner rebuild, intake O-ring replacment, tach cable seal replacment, etc.

[kikdrum18]

Deep dive this morning. Definitely the cylinder base gasket. I'm a little surprised how it went from fine to Watching it form a puddle in no time with the engine running.
Ordering a gasket kit today.

[kikdrum18]

I'm blessed to have a mechanic in town who is a former drag racer/mechanic from the 80s. His knowledge is incredibly valuable when it comes to bikes of this era.

He did the work, including planing surfaces to insure flatness. The entire job was done for about $1k. For him, it was a labor of love, and I compensated extra for gratitude and because it's Christmas.

If anyone from this forum is ever in need, contact Warren at Frank's Cycles in Melbourne Florida. The guy is awesome.

[rphillips]

A day's labor for $1K ? Don't think I know many folks that make a $1K per day by working.

[kikdrum18]

He charges $115 per hour. The work was split into about 4 days ( he's a full time caretaker for his wife battling stage 4 cancer) and he was completely transparent with the entire process.
He insisted I stop by each day if possible to inspect the work. He treated my bike like it was his own.
This price included parts (plugs, gaskets, seals) and extra labor (surfacing).
Every other shop quoted me no less than $1.5k. One shop told me to expect about $2k.
The peace of mind alone was worth it. How many shops do you know that want you to inspect their work in real time?

[rphillips]

It's just me having trouble moving into todays world. Like my earlier post about the paper repair manuals are easier for me, in todays world many, maybe most, bike mechanics never see a paper manual. I'm still living like when your bike was new, A bike mechanic making $1K pr. week would be way closer to the norm than $1K pr. day... Lucky you found a mechanic that knew anything about these old bikes, they keep getting harder and harder to find... Glad you got it sorted out, congrats.

[kikdrum18]

Understood. My biggest concern was finding a mechanic that knew these bikes. Knowing his history, I doubt the guy even cracked open the manual. He's like us, old school. Every time I talk to him he tells me me about performance tricks he's learned over the years.
I keep insisting he writes a book of his knowledge.
The local dealer's service cost is around $140 per hour, for perspective. Imagine what my bill would have been and the issues I would have had if they even accepted the task.... ????