How to polish engine case on my GS

[JTGS850GL]

I do mine the Ichiban way.

What's amazing is it really worked. And to think that I've been wasting all that time using sand paper, polishing wheels and mag wheel polish.

[Steve]

Maybe a stupid question, but when I remove the engine covers on the left and right side, will any oil come pouring out?
I know that on the one side is the stator but what is on the other side? Gears?

Not a stupid question at all, thank you for asking it.

The cover on the left side (forward) is the stator cover. Oil WILL come out of there, unless you lean the bike to the right. You can tilt the bike by placing a 2x4 under the left side of the centerstand, the bike will still be surprisingly stable.

The rearward cover on the left side covers the secondary drive and gear shifting area. There is no oil there. You will have to remove the gear shift lever to remove the cover, just note the angle, so you can put it back the same way. You do have to remove this cover to change the secondary drive oil (should be part of your maintenance schedule), so get used to it.

On the right side, the smaller (forward) cover is over the ignition pickups, there is no oil there.

The larger cover on the right side (rearward) is the clutch cover. You will have to remove the clutch cable and maybe the brake arm to get it off. While you have that cover off, take advantage of the opportunity and check the length of your clutch springs. After all these years, there is a good chance they are near the minimum length, so plan on replacing them. The full set of 6 springs is only about $20.

The small round caps near the top of the cylinder head are the cam end covers, there is no oil there, but you might find an oily mess, due to leaky half-moons. Plan on changing them when you do your valve clearance check.

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[Nessism]

I have to redo some of mine this season, think I'll do this. Really like the look and it's less work to touch up. You're doing the forks the same aren't you?

Yes, forks are the same.

Again, for the factory look you don't want to polish. Do your progressive sanding but stop at 600/800. A gray scotchbrite pad is about 600.

When doing the 1000S in the photo my Glisten clear had gone a little cloudy. Not bad enough to make me redo it, but you can do better.

[Pete's GS]

Long live Ichiban!

[Allie]

That's really cool about leaning the bike, I did not know that.

[1948man]

I do mine the Ichiban way.

Cool, I'll probably experiment with that. I would think that the micro-fiber cloth would get pretty clogged with residue after a while necessitating changing every so often.

[Steve]

That's really cool about leaning the bike, I did not know that.

If you lean the bike onto the opposite side it will keep the oil from leaking out. You can put it up on the center stand and place a 2x4 under one side to lean it over enough.

Yep, I have posted these pictures a few times:





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[trevor]

Cool, I'll probably experiment with that. I would think that the micro-fiber cloth would get pretty clogged with residue after a while necessitating changing every so often.

Please tell me you are not taking him seriously.

[limeex2]

Check out the Ichibon moto stuff,then check out some of the pop up-ups that come up with it.Good info.Trevor,all info is good info,some is just better than others.Thanks

[trevor]

Check out the Ichibon moto stuff,then check out some of the pop up-ups that come up with it.Good info.Trevor,all info is good info,some is just better than others.Thanks

Lol...I'm familiar with his videos...I started a thread in this very forum about them.

Here...

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...deos&highlight=

[Allie]

Cool, I'll probably experiment with that. I would think that the micro-fiber cloth would get pretty clogged with residue after a while necessitating changing every so often.

Oh for sure, notice at the end he showed the loaded up pad and said he was going to change it and polish more metal. The whole key to his design is the assembly tape. What he hasn't caught onto yet is that purple assembly tape is more bad ass than silver assembly tape, which is surprising since he knows how bad ass the green and blue zip ties are.

[1948man]

I guess I'm a novice at "Bad-ass."

[Gorminrider]

Seriously,when you get everything polished, and if you intend to keep it BARE, and especially if they ever salt your roads- be sure to rinse the bike off after a ride!

Bare aluminum corrodes overnight, ime....I've been experimenting with "Fluid-film" sprayed on a rag and thickly applied....it helps, but needs recoats

I'm going to check out Nessism's tip

....Followed with POR-15 Glisten clear.

,myself. It's got to be better fixing it than re-sanding the aluminum....

[Spyder]

No sanding, no stripping, no chemicals. Just the sewn polishing wheel in my 4" grinder, and both green, and white sticks.

Before...


After...

[Spyder]

And you might as well order some new badges (??? WE DON'T NEED NO STINKING BADGES ! ! !) (sorry, it always does that...)