Rubber spacers

[850GT_Rider]

What is the purpose of the rubber spacers between the fins on my engine? They're quite dried out and brittle. Any reason not to just pull them out and toss them?

I think it's item 17 on Bike Bandit's web page here: http://www.bikebandit.com/1980-suzuk...6122#sch256835

[DanTheMan]

I don't know if those were ever pliable rubber spacers, I think they've always been hard spacers. They're there to reduce the noise from the fins on the air cooled engines (breaks the airflow).

[850GT_Rider]

had not pulled them out yet....they look all cracked and hard. Just guessed they were some sort of rubber.

[Nessism]

They are there to reduce the tendency of the fins to "ring" from vibration. There value is questionable at best so ditch them as you see fit.

[Guest]

I think it is a carry over for Suzuki's 2 stroke only days pre-76, I have never removed them from a 4 stroke but on a 2 stroke the ringing is defiantly more noticeable with them removed.

[850GT_Rider]

They are there to reduce the tendency of the fins to "ring" from vibration. There value is questionable at best so ditch them as you see fit.

Well, they look like cr*p and will interfere with cleaning between the fins, so I agree with you - out they go.

[Nessism]

I bought a set for my GS1000S and Suzuki sent me gray pieces. Only reason I ordered them is for the restoration "correctness" factor but the gray parts don't get'er done in that perspective.

[Larry D]

I bought some of those to put in the 750 after I rebuilt it last year. I drove them in with a rubber hammer. They all fell out during the first test ride.......I never put anymore in.