do i need new valve seals ?

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  • scamp62
    • Feb 2026

    #1

    do i need new valve seals ?

    I have started a restoration project, a 80? GS750 , and started on the motor, and I have got a discoloration in the head (see pic ((worth a thousand words)) is this blow-bi on the valves seals ? and am in need for new valve seals ? the motor has 23000mi on it
  • Steve
    GS Whisperer
    • Jun 2005
    • 35925
    • southwest oHIo

    #2
    Can you get a closer picture?

    Maybe even post it a bit larger?

    .
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    • posplayr
      Forum LongTimer
      GSResource Superstar
      Past Site Supporter
      • Dec 2007
      • 23673
      • Tucson Az

      #3
      It looks typical

      Comment

      • scamp62

        #4
        Better

        Comment

        • Nessism
          Forum LongTimer
          GSResource Superstar
          Past Site Supporter
          Super Site Supporter
          • Mar 2006
          • 35790
          • Torrance, CA

          #5
          Unless the seals have been changed before, I'd change them as a matter of course since the head is off.
          Ed

          To measure is to know.

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          • scamp62

            #6
            better yet !

            Comment

            • GS1150Pilot
              Forum LongTimer
              Past Site Supporter
              • Nov 2013
              • 18917
              • MoN, AZ

              #7
              Just a question: Why wouldn't you change the valve seals at this juncture?
              "Thought he, it is a wicked world in all meridians; I'll die a pagan."
              ~Herman Melville

              2016 1200 Superlow
              1982 CB900f

              Comment

              • scamp62

                #8
                so i take it "I should replace them"
                thanks guys !

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                • bwringer
                  Forum LongTimer
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                  • Oct 2003
                  • 17066
                  • Indianapolis

                  #9
                  Originally posted by Nessism
                  Unless the seals have been changed before, I'd change them as a matter of course since the head is off.
                  Agreed.


                  Originally posted by GS1150Pilot
                  Just a question: Why wouldn't you change the valve seals at this juncture?
                  Agreed.


                  Originally posted by scamp62
                  so i take it "I should replace them"
                  thanks guys !
                  Exactly.


                  FWIW, that discoloration is perfectly normal oil "varnishing" -- nothing to do with the seals. In fact, that head is much cleaner than most I've seen. But any time you have the head off, it's best to replace the valve seals unless you just replaced them a month ago. After all, they're 34 years old by now, and it's a false economy to skip replacing them. It's an hour or so of tedium with a valve spring compressor and a few bucks per seal.
                  Last edited by bwringer; 07-06-2014, 10:02 AM.
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                  Comment

                  • GSX1000E

                    #10
                    Mileage has nothing to do with it IMHO. Age dictates that they be replaced.
                    How long did they sit without oil on them to keep them pliable?

                    Comment

                    • scamp62

                      #11
                      have no idea how long it had been sitting ??
                      got the bike in boxes, previous owner was going to just toss the bike.
                      but put in an order for a new set of seals

                      Comment

                      • jwhelan65

                        #12
                        They are bit of pain to install

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