1978 GS1000 Complete Engine Overhaul With Mods

[lecroy]

Well it isn't a lot but we got my piston kit in and the block will be sent out for boring this week. The head should also at least be started for the porting and polishing this week yet. If this goes as planned at this point I should have my bike then within the next few weeks.

Getting closer. Who is doing the machine work for you?

 

[Hoomgar]

Well it isn't a lot but we got my piston kit in and the block will be sent out for boring this week. The head should also at least be started for the porting and polishing this week yet. If this goes as planned at this point I should have my bike then within the next few weeks.

Getting closer. Who is doing the machine work for you?

Joe has an independent who is a machinist that does a lot of his work for him. He uses the Yamaha dealer and a few others when he has to but he really doesn't trust anyone like he does the guy who is doing my block. I am picky at times so I always make Joe take the long and expensive routes to do things for me. No shortcuts or substitutes. I want it done right

 

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Good things come to those who wait. Have patience. I did.

 

[Hoomgar]

Good things come to those who wait. Have patience. I did.

Mobetter was asking about the 1085 kit we are using. I told him you had already done it so maybe you could post in here how it worked out for you Keith? Did you notice a big jump in power, performance? Any ups or downs?

 

[Sandy]

Just picked up on this thread and was curious about what you've learned about converting to dual discs with your wire wheels. Been thinking of doing the same with my 79 GS1000N. I like the look of the wire wheels and also the slotted 1980 discs. So far what I understand about this conversion is that you need both lower forks legs from a dual disk E model (not the L model) or maybe a G model will work, however they are slightly different. Obviously you need the calipers too. Is the valving in the master cylinder the same or not? It looks as though the front hub is machined to accept discs and should be a straight forward conversion. I am I on track here or not?

EDIT: Going to post this in the tech area

 

[Hoomgar]

Just picked up on this thread and was curious about what you've learned about converting to dual disc's with your wire wheels. Been thinking of doing the same with my 79 GS1000N. I like the look of the wire wheels and also the slotted 1980 disc's. So far what I understand about this conversion is that you need both lower forks legs from a dual disk E model (not the L model) or maybe a G model will work, however they are slightly different. Obviously you need the calipers too. Is the valving in the master cylinder the same or not? It looks as though the front hub is machined to accept disc's and should be a straight forward conversion. I am I on track here or not?

I think you are right on Sandy, however I have the same questions still basically because I didn't pursue it. I am staying with the stock from end single disk setup for right now. I will mod the duel disks later. I believe there may be an issue with the front rim, not sure if it can take two disks or not?

Right now I am working on the paint scheme. I know I am the guy always saying go stock. But I think I may just do something custom and unique. I'll do some work in Photoshop and them make a poll to see what everyone thinks. Of course I have to go with what "I" like but the opinions of fellow GSers is always good to have.

 

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Good things come to those who wait. Have patience. I did.

Mobetter was asking about the 1085 kit we are using. I told him you had already done it so maybe you could post in here how it worked out for you Keith? Did you notice a big jump in power, performance? Any ups or downs?

Any ups or downs? Yeah! My top speed is up and my ET's are down! :twisted:
You know, I can't really say how much the pistons contribute to power, because I did all my engine mod's at once. All I know is that the 1085 pistons, K&N ovals, V&H megaphone, the cams degreed at 106, and the Dyna ign/coils make it run very strong and I don't have any reliability concerns. 29 smoothbores would be icing on the cake but we'll see about those later. The Dynojet kit works very well on the stock carbs (after much tinkering.) I also had the crank welded and balanced, and welded the clutch basket. I'm very happy with the engine.

 

[Hoomgar]

Good things come to those who wait. Have patience. I did.

Mobetter was asking about the 1085 kit we are using. I told him you had already done it so maybe you could post in here how it worked out for you Keith? Did you notice a big jump in power, performance? Any ups or downs?

Any ups or downs? Yeah! My top speed is up and my ET's are down! :twisted:
You know, I can't really say how much the pistons contribute to power, because I did all my engine mod's at once. All I know is that the 1085 pistons, K&N ovals, V&H megaphone, the cams degreed at 106, and the Dyna ign/coils make it run very strong and I don't have any reliability concerns. 29 smoothbores would be icing on the cake but we'll see about those later. The Dynojet kit works very well on the stock carbs (after much tinkering.) I also had the crank welded and balanced, and welded the clutch basket. I'm very happy with the engine.

Basically the same exact things I am doing all except for the carbs. Joe said we are going with the 34mmcv carbs off the 1980 GS1000L we used the head and block from. Partly because the intake is larger and needs them anyway but also to feed that engine! We are porting the head to improve flow so we wanted to go with larger carbs than the stock 26ers.

Rock on

 

[saaz]

I knew someone years ago put ina 1085 kit. Standard carbs, a crappy exhaust (I know as I borrowed it years later, it made less power than the standard pipes!). His bike made appreciably more torque, grunty everywhere. Slightly higher compression ratio gave more power overall, but street rideability was the major difference. A good pipe makes it work better.

 

[Hoomgar]

Staying with my V&H that was on it before I took it down for rebuild.
It's a great pipe and should work well with what I am doing to the engine.

 

[Hoomgar]

The final news is that I wont have my GS ready in time for the PA ride.
No matter, I have a running bike and we will have a great time anyway.

This bike better be done this year though or I know who is going in the freezer next!!! :evil: :x


:twisted:

 

[Paul]

The final news is that I wont have my GS ready in time for the PA ride.
No matter, I have a running bike and we will have a great time anyway.

This bike better be done this year though or I know who is going in the freezer next!!! :evil: :x


:twisted:

:wink: But you've had a week without the GSR to complete it! :lol: :lol: :wink: :wink: :wink:

 

[Hoomgar]

The final news is that I wont have my GS ready in time for the PA ride.
No matter, I have a running bike and we will have a great time anyway.

This bike better be done this year though or I know who is going in the freezer next!!! :evil: :x


:twisted:

:wink: But you've had a week without the GSR to complete it! :lol: :lol: :wink: :wink: :wink:

It isn't waiting on me Paul or it would have been done around Christmas time last year

 

[KGB]

Will there be cake for this projects next birthday? :lol: :lol:

I feel for you Mark.
The guy that re-built my motor took 16 months.....and $2500.
Well worth the wait.

 

[Hoomgar]

Will there be cake for this projects next birthday? :lol: :lol:

I feel for you Mark.
The guy that re-built my motor took 16 months.....and $2500.
Well worth the wait.

That's about how mine is going to go I am afraid Keith. I appreciate that, misery likes company Joe tells me that the cylinder has been bored for the pistons and the head is about 1/2 ported. He is finally getting some time back to work on it. If I know Joe like I think I do this means it will be done within the next month or so.

I will never get put in this boat again unwillingly. I am going to do all the work I can for myself from now on. I plan on becoming a master at setting up the carbs on these things.

Then (if I actually do learn to do it right) I will be able to help the other guys in my area out with that.

Waiting sux. I am at a point of frustration with this project and vow to never get put in this situation again if I can help it. :x

It's time to streamline my life. I have no time for any other hobbies but what is important to me. And need to start learning to say no to the flow of appliances and electronics that keep flooding into my work bench. Every one wants a favor but I simply can't do it anymore. I need to get some of my own stuff done and my energy is not like it used to be.

But as I like to say... It's all good

 

[KEITH KRAUSE]

I feel for you man. V&H had my motor for 5 months and it felt like twice that. The V&H shop mine was at was basically a one man operation. I think he just had a steady flow of smaller jobs constantly pushing mine back. Part of me understood, part of me didn't. In the end it was worth the wait though.
I do have one complaint though that I guess can go under the heading "that's life". I'm getting some minor leaks somewhere at the base of the cylinder block, in the middle where you can't see where it's coming from. Not a big deal now, but I wonder about the future. Kind of a bummer because I put a lot of money into the motor and hoped to never have to have any major work done again. Obviously, if the leaks get bad I'll have to have the motor opened up.
What I'm getting at is you may want to think about a light coat of gasket sealant to help the gaskets in critical areas, especially those stinking o-rings near the back of the block. Wish I had thought of it then.
Nothing worse than paying top dollar and then find out you still have a potential problem. The motor runs so strong, so to have a gasket fail is maddening. Gaskets were the last thing on my mind. Learn from my mistake.

 

[Hoomgar]

That's good advice Keith. Thx. I'm not going to be gun shy anymore though. From now on when something needs fixed. It's getting fixed. I also am not limiting myself to one or ever two bikes anymore. I want to be able to say "oh well" when something breaks and just get right at ripping in down and fixing it without being bikeless while doing so.

This little 550 Kawasaki I have has turned out to be one of the biggest blessings I have ever had. Without it, I would have done NO riding this year.

On the horizon is my GS1000, the Seca Turbo I am buying from Joe.d and this little Kaw. More bikes the better. All other hobbies are falling by the way side now. Riding is simply to important to me to be stuck anymore without a ride.

Sorry, I know I am venting but I am really just letting off steam. This 1000 rebuild has become very discouraging. I want it back. I miss my GS

 

[Hoomgar]

Well I finally got the call I was waiting for from my engine builder yesterday afternoon. He says that the engine should be ready for pickup early next week as he is going on vacation Wednesday and wants to get it to me before then.

I hope he comes through!

This means I will have a running bike this year yet. No cosmetics (paint) but that can be my winter project for my baby. I just want to ride it at least one time this riding season and I will be happy.

Rock on!

 

[KEITH KRAUSE]

That's good news! Can't wait to hear how it runs.

 

[Guest]

Hey, we are on the same sched.

my engine should be done next week too AND I won't have paint done this year either. Will be doing it over winter.

get some pics buddy.........when its complete.