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78 550e oil pressure plate mod

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    78 550e oil pressure plate mod

    anyone ever mod the stock oil pressure plate to make a spot for an oil presuure gauge? or is there an adapter T to keep the stock switch and put in a gauge? im asking because i want to be able to see my oil pressure all the time. i know it may sound weird but i want to see how as the oil gets hot how the oil pressure changes, if it does at all. ya ya ya i can read about it but i want to actually see it with my own eyes.... ive seen adapter plates and a few home made adapter plates on google, but i would like to see about modyfing the stock plate. as i have like 8 of them. thanks for any help. rubber side down!!!
    1978 gs550e "drag bike"
    1979 gs550l 1st bike
    1981 gs650gl cruiser
    1981 gs250t "race track pit bike"

    #2
    Do any of your spare adapter plates have the later year boss for a temp sensor? If so you can tap in there. A more conventional location to tap into the oil flow is the oil galley plug on the lower RH side of the cylinder. Over the years there have been guys that sold a replacement plug that's pretapped for a gauge, or you can drill and tap the stock plug yourself. I did just that and it worked fine.

    What you'll find is that the oil pressure is very low. Once the oil warms up the pressure will barely register, which is perfectly normal. The GS oil pump system is bullet proof and just about the only thing that can mess it up is a problem with your clutch hub...or if your aftermarket pressure gauge springs a leak. I removed mine for just such a concern.
    Ed

    To measure is to know.

    Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

    Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

    Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

    KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

    Comment


      #3
      I'll throw this idea out for what it's worth.

      On my bikes, I have Lockhart oil coolers. Each cooler came with a replacement/adapter oil pressure plate. It's just like the original, but has TWO small metal tubes (1/4"??) for the rubber INTAKE and OUPUT oil lines going to the cooler.

      If you can find one of these, it should be easy to adapter to your needs. I have no idea about other oil coolers, but there might be some out there.

      Probably easier would be your idea of unscrewing the sensor and getting a T-joint of the same size. I would think the AIR-TOOL section of an auto-supply shop would give you lots of options.
      sigpic
      '77 GS550B
      '78 GS550C

      Comment


        #4
        All my.parts are from 78 and 79 models. Happen to have a pic of where you tapped into on the head?
        1978 gs550e "drag bike"
        1979 gs550l 1st bike
        1981 gs650gl cruiser
        1981 gs250t "race track pit bike"

        Comment


          #5
          If you end up adapting a pressure switch plate, or manage to get hold of one for an oil cooler take-off - make sure you don't block off the flow and return arrangement. That way lies engine death.
          ---- Dave
          79 GS850N - Might be a trike soon.
          80 GS850T Single HIF38 S.U. SH775, Tow bar, Pantera II. Gnarly workhorse & daily driver.
          79 XS650SE - Pragmatic Ratter - goes better than a manky old twin should.
          92 XJ900F - Fairly Stock, for now.

          Only a dog knows why a motorcyclist sticks his head out of a car window

          Comment


            #6
            Here's photo with the original oil pressure plate on the left (disconnected), and the Lockhart oil pressure plate on the right (connected):

            oilpressure.jpg

            The Lockhart has the sensor on the side, and two threaded outlets (and adapters) to connect to the oil cooler tubes.
            sigpic
            '77 GS550B
            '78 GS550C

            Comment


              #7
              As Ed said, use the oil galley on the right side to the rear of the cylinder... this will bolt straight in.
              -Mal

              "The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once." - B. Banzai
              ___________

              78 GS750E

              Comment


                #8
                Here's what they are talking about -- #27 -- Oil Check plug. I can't say I've ever noticed it. I've always used the round window to check the oil. How and why would you use this to check the oil????

                crankcase.jpg
                sigpic
                '77 GS550B
                '78 GS550C

                Comment


                  #9
                  A kind of cack-handed way of designating it as a pressure /temp test point.
                  ---- Dave
                  79 GS850N - Might be a trike soon.
                  80 GS850T Single HIF38 S.U. SH775, Tow bar, Pantera II. Gnarly workhorse & daily driver.
                  79 XS650SE - Pragmatic Ratter - goes better than a manky old twin should.
                  92 XJ900F - Fairly Stock, for now.

                  Only a dog knows why a motorcyclist sticks his head out of a car window

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Hum. I might still have the plug and gauge I used. I'll have to check. Those junky VDO gauges don't go back to zero after a while so there's that. And if the bike tips over on the RH side you may bust the gauge which means calling a truck to come get the bike (or, bring a stock plug in your tool kit and change it out on the fly.)
                    Ed

                    To measure is to know.

                    Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

                    Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

                    Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

                    KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Originally posted by allojohn View Post
                      As Ed said, use the oil galley on the right side to the rear of the cylinder... this will bolt straight in.

                      Thats the 1 i was thinking of doing. At least to start as it will have the correct adapter. Maybe do a different gage if the orginal 1 fails.
                      1978 gs550e "drag bike"
                      1979 gs550l 1st bike
                      1981 gs650gl cruiser
                      1981 gs250t "race track pit bike"

                      Comment


                        #12
                        I'd still like to know what the "OIL CHECK" plug is there for. How and why would you use that to check the oil?
                        sigpic
                        '77 GS550B
                        '78 GS550C

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Originally posted by xkaes View Post
                          I'd still like to know what the "OIL CHECK" plug is there for. How and why would you use that to check the oil?
                          OIL CHECK plug so the oil pressure can be checked (tested.)

                          oil pressure test.jpg
                          Ed

                          To measure is to know.

                          Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

                          Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

                          Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

                          KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Here is a laugh for you all..... So i was looking for the test plug on my 650 the other day. Didnt see it. Looked at my gs250. Didnt see it. Looked at my 550s. Found it lol i thought my 650 was my 550...... And i was sober looking lol. Was a long day and my brain wasnt working.
                            1978 gs550e "drag bike"
                            1979 gs550l 1st bike
                            1981 gs650gl cruiser
                            1981 gs250t "race track pit bike"

                            Comment

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