Valve adjustment tools

[MikeS]

It was right at 50° when I got up this morning. That's only 18° above freezing!


Re riding in such bitter weather, my '79 had a Vetter with lowers and it makes a world of difference in the winter. The lowers funnel the warm engine air up and keeps the cold slipstream off of the legs. I intended to put the Vetter on the '82 but figuring out the wiring spaghetti behind the headlight put me off. I was afraid of messing up my new bike. I've lived through three winters now with just a Memphis Shades windscreen that came with the '82 so I'll probably just leave it as it is.

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I'll go looking for BassCliff's ziptie tutorial. The one I have is downloaded onto the computer and don't remember where I got it.

Thanks,


Mike
1982 GS850G
1979 GS850G parts bike

[JTGS850GL]

My GS850GL had a Slipstream Turbo windshield and that's it. I ride year around in the Atlanta Georgia area. I know it's in the south, but we see single digit temps here too. Just bundle up, suck it up and RIDE!!!!

[cowboyup3371]

It may be 18 degrees above freezing but that's 18 degrees of fun on two wheels you may not get any other time.

[MikeS]

I've never let the dangerously bone-chilling arctic temperatures we get here in San Diego stop me from using the bike everyday. I do bundle up to run my errands. I certainly don't ride for fun when it's so cold . . . in fact I never ride "for fun" anymore at all. Just running around doing my daily transportation is plenty of fun since there's nothing like being on two wheels to wake the brain and nerves up from whatever state of dormancy they might be in. Also, always finding easy parking and always being able to make headway between the lanes no matter how far traffic is backed up is very fun. I always use my bike unless it's raining so hard (extremely rare around here) that getting that wet would be ridiculous, or if I have to carry something really large and heavy, or if I have to go some distance out of town.

My GS's have always started easily and run smoothly and always get me there and back, even with an occasional broken clutch cable over the years. I can't say enough good about them.

Even so, I'd like to have a Beemer someday.

Mike

[MikeS]

Just checkin' in. I've gotten de-registered twice over the years for allowing long periods to go by without activity on my part. So this post is insurance to prevent having to register yet again . . . and also to report, head hanging very low, that it's been three years since I started this thread and my valves are still not adjusted. I'm so ashamed!

I ride daily but I don't run around winding out the engine. I don't lug it, but I do keep RPM's low as I drive city streets. Freeway of course is 70-90 MPH so it does get some RPM workouts on my trips down to Tijuana to see my dentist. That's 30 miles each way at the higher RPM's of freeway driving.

I got the bike with 17K. Previous owner was a maintenance fanatic so valves were well-adjusted when I got the bike (I assume). So it looks like I've gone 22K without a valve adjustment. Still starts and runs beautifully. Never a problem. These are such bulletproof machines it boggles the mind.

Mike

'79 GS850G - parts bike
'82 GS850G - daily driver

[Burque73]

Just for comparisons sake, my 850, purchased with 27k miles on it had all eight valves out of spec and was previously owned by a mechanic. I checked and adjusted them initially and again every 4k miles. Now with 40k on the clock maybe they've settled for a bit. This last time they didn't move enough to change any shims.

I think cowboy posted a video last year showing the procedure.