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Search results

  1. bwringer

    Let's talk about cam walk, baby...

    As I understand it, based on, er, 20 years (crikey, have I really been hanging around here that long?) of imperfect memory, this is a lot more prevalent on the earlier engines. On the GS850, it seems to be a thing that primarily affects the 79-81 models. My 1983 GS850G is wearing an earlier...
  2. bwringer

    Gs850g

    ​ Agreed. Nothing at all wrong with that, you just have to be aware of what's what when your maintaining and repairing it. I think the proper term for your bike is "bitsa". Bitsa this, bitsa that... ​ The badges are interesting. In the US at least, the 1979 side covers were wearing a "GS850"...
  3. bwringer

    Let's talk about cam walk, baby...

    The camshaft ends are nowhere near the plugs, even when the plugs are flipped around. They're a few mm away. Still, that points to a possible solution; make some aluminum or brass cam end caps thick enough to reach the camshafts, then remove material to suit the individual bike. You can shove...
  4. bwringer

    Let's talk about cam walk, baby...

    Yeah, controlling it from one or both ends really seemed like it could work well. I don't remember seeing any parts, but I'd love to see some less invasive method of managing cam end float. I'd buy a kit, but I'm not really interested in taking the engine apart again and having the machining done.
  5. bwringer

    Let's talk about cam walk, baby...

    FYI, another name for this, and more accurate, is "cam end float". This is a document prepared by forum member Ian Grant (49er) back in 2007 documenting the sources of the issue and the machine shop work required to manage cam end float and eliminate the noise...
  6. bwringer

    Let's talk about cam walk, baby...

    This hasn't come up for a while, but I thought I'd start a discussion. The video below is my 1983 GS850G, but the engine is actually from a 1980 or 1981 model. Long story, but this is the engine that's been in my bike for about 40,000 - 50,000 miles. Anyway, these engines are known to...
  7. bwringer

    Cu head gasket

    Over on ADVrider.com, I've seen several similar experiments in 3D printing intake boots and other unobtanium rubber bits. Some seem to be holding up quite well in service. As this gets figured out, it's going to revolutionize vintage motorcycling. If you think getting rubber bits for an old...
  8. bwringer

    Cannot switch into neutral while stationary

    Heavier aftermarket clutch springs cause excessive drag. You didn't say what clutch springs you used, but all new OEM springs, or three OEM and three aftermarket springs, will usually work a lot better and result in a much more user-friendly clutch pull.
  9. bwringer

    Brake pad advice

    In many motorcycles, the OEM pads are heavily biased toward longevity, and so aftermarket pads often give you a worthwhile upgrade in braking power and feel, at the expense of some pad life. For example, this is the case on my 2015 Yamaha FJ-09, wearing middle of the road Tokico calipers. The...
  10. bwringer

    Talk me into/or out of buying a Triumph Tiger

    Even without being plugged in to a phone, the charger's electronics usually draw some small amount of power and will drain the battery. Check the current draw with a meter to quantify this; maybe it's a few milliamps and you can proceed to not really worry about it as long as you ride every week...
  11. bwringer

    Talk me into/or out of buying a Triumph Tiger

    Congrats! That bike looks very well cared for, and tastefully farkled. I think you got a pretty good price, too. And yeah, you should get to the Brown County rally soon. Some years, it's been in danger of looking more like a Triumph rally, so you might as well jump in. They're a popular choice...
  12. bwringer

    Clutch cable replacement . . . .

    *sniff*... I just love a happy ending! Thanks for the kudos, Dale. Sorry if your left hand's Thor-like grip is fading with the lack of exercise. One other thing I'll note: It's hard to tell whether this is an issue in the photo, but it is very common, inevitable in fact, that the hole in the...
  13. bwringer

    Rabacanda Street Bike Tire Changer

    Yep, it's a very nice setup. Cheaper than a no mar, I think, and from what I can see much easier and faster than farting around with the no mar wheel clamps, and much easier to store out of the way. It took me a very long time and a lot of sweat and strain to get my tire changing skills to the...
  14. bwringer

    Oil Cooler for 82 GS1100G

    Welp, guess we'll add a new one to the list... "was there ever anything else in the hose you used?" Thanks for reporting back! There's a lot of good info in this thread for future GS-ers, anyway.
  15. bwringer

    Good places to tap into to get power but only when the bike runs

    I always install a relay to power my charger and heated grips, triggered by one of the above sources. That way, I always get full voltage. and there's nothing to remember. Many (but not all) phone chargers can cope with low voltage, but grip heaters are noticeably less effective even with a...
  16. bwringer

    Oil Cooler for 82 GS1100G

    Oil in the airbox is completely normal; the crankcase vent atop the valve cover is connected via a tube directly to the airbox, with no PCV valve. There are supposed to be two little metal mesh pads under the breather cover to help crankcase vapors condense, but they can't get it all. So over...
  17. bwringer

    Tire Vendors ?

    I have not noticed that the Shinko 712 and 230 vary much in traction, feel, or longevity. I'd perhaps give a slight edge to the 230 for traction, and I have burned through more sets of the 230 than the 712. In any case, I can attest that the 230 works just dandy in the wet. Here's my torture...
  18. bwringer

    Upper shock bolt broke!!

    I've installed the shoulder bolt fix. Works fine! I have no memory of what the length measurements were, but it'll be somewhere in this page, if the link works: https://www.mcmaster.com/products/shoulder-bolts/system-of-measurement~metric/thread-size~m10/shoulder-diameter~12-mm/material~steel/...
  19. bwringer

    Tire Vendors ?

    Avon has stopped making motorcycle tires. Tyres. Whatever. Any you see in inventory are leftovers. My top three rubber sources currently are as follows. All have stellar service, and pricing is generally identical or within pennies. All seem to draw from the same network of warehouses...
  20. bwringer

    Just aquired 3 gs's and need advice...

    Yeah, I think K&L stands for "Krap & Lame". Their carb, brake, and petcock kits are bags of random bits. The one exception is that the float bowl gaskets are OK, but you can buy those separately much cheaper. I really find this brand to be baffling because this stuff can be so dangerous, yet...
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