1980 GS1000G - Smoke at start-up - should I buy?

[TxGSrider]

You'd think if they sat long enough that eventually the oil would seep past the rings and return to the crankcase... but that never seems to happen, or its some length of time Ive never encountered. lol

Ive had several fine running engines over the years that smoke a little on start up.

Also, if the bike has some old gas in the tank, or if allot of additive was added (Marvel or stabilizers) they can smoke a little.

 

[bwringer]

Yes, it's likely possible, but the trick would be to find a way to anchor a lever so you can push down on the valve spring(s) to remove and install the keepers.

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I made a little lever tool with a base that you simply bolt to the head using one of the threaded holes for the camshaft caps. The tool has a short length of PVC pipe with a window cut in it. Loosely attach the tool, push down on the tool, and grab the keepers. It works from a variety of angles. I'll see if I can scare up a photo later...

To keep the valves from dropping, rotate the engine to TDC for that cylinder (so if the valve drops it can't go far) then lock the engine firmly in place somehow so it can't rotate. I made an air hold with a compression tester fitting and a small regulator and used about 50psi of air; pressurize the cylinder and the valve can't drop. Worked well and didn't even waste that much air.

I have a pair of cheapo needle nose pliers with the tips ground off a bit into sort of a curved hook shape so I can grab valve guide seals.

The rope trick also works fine, but you need a clean fresh soft length of rope, not something that's been rotting in the corner of your garage for 20 years.

 

[Nessism]

Isn't every bike on this forum in that category?

The reason I bought an old Suzuki is that I no longer enjoyed wrenching on my 1969 Triumph, but still prefer the older bikes. So instead I take my Suzuki to a trusted shop experienced with 1980s UJMs and let them do it. So far the bike's been good, my back is better and the budget is okay.

Yes, every GS. People buying 40 year old bikes better go in knowing their vehicle will likely need a good deal of maintenance on a regular basis. Most guys don't fix stuff until the bike breaks down but if that approach is taken with an old bike you are asking for trouble. And if you run to a mechanic for the work to be done, IF you can find a mechanic that is, you are likely going to be spending a fair bit of money unless you find a creampuff of a bike. Things like regular valve adjustments, flushing the brake system and changing the brake lines, fixing the charging system and eliminating the dreaded stator/headlamp loop, stuff like that, will cost you some cash. If someone just wants a bike to ride they would be better off with a newer bike.

 

[Gorminrider]

I think most carburetted engines smoke a bit on startup and every car blows steam for a minute or two in cold weather but in warm weather they do not for more than 30 seconds or so... this chart is for when you know there's SOMETHING not right...

The guy selling it has a theory-you would have to find out what convinces him of this...one symptom would be consuming oil...or smoking on sunny warm days which a good bike does not for long. High mileage would be another clue- IE: things in the engine should not be worn out at low mileage without abuse.
and, take a compression gauge. Read the directions..but mainly remember to open throttle wide.

 

[Brendan W]

I agree with passing. Old bikes are best left for those that enjoy wrenching and have experience doing so.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gA4pbt38y34

 

[KEITH KRAUSE]

I bought my '79 GS1000E new and I've been through the leaking valve guide seal thing two times. From my experience, the less you ride the bike, the sooner the stock seals will harden and the cold start smoking will increase over time. Eventually it will smoke all the time. My original seals lasted almost 20 years with about 106,000 miles. After a complete restoration in 1999, Vance and Hines replaced the seals with stock seals. Those seals lasted until last year with about 36,000 miles, the difference I believe was that I rode the bike much less and that can lead to the seals hardening.
Last year I replaced the stock seals with APE seals, about $90. The APE seals claim they "won't harden like OEM seals" because the are made of a superior rubber (Viton?). I decided to have a member here, Rapidray, do a complete valve job and I also had the cylinders re-honed for the new piston rings. Slipping the cylinders over the new rings was a little fun but it worked out. Be aware, on some models, disturbing the head/cylinder bolts will often cause the base gasket to leak. I forget the actual cost Ray charged but it was much less than APE wanted. If this sounds like an option, I can find the exact charge if you ask me. You can also contact Ray. He did the work quickly. Keep in mind there are other costs that make sense/or are necessary during head and/or cylinder removal. New head gasket, base gasket and O-rings throughout cost about $140-160. New rings about $130 (Wiseco). I spent about $1,000 for everything, including a new APE cam chain tensioner.
If you plan to keep the bike a long time then this may be an option. When you spread out the cost over many years, it can make good sense.

 

[wymple]

I agree with passing. Old bikes are best left for those that enjoy wrenching and have experience doing so.

But a GS you had to put some money and time in is worth it. I will not make that claim regarding Kaw, Honda, or even my 1st love, the Yamahas. They may or may not be, but the Suzuki will reward you pretty much always. My sons and my nephew ride newer , expensive stuff and they haven't gotten off scott free. 20-30 grand does not guarantee trouble free motorcycling. 3 grand in a GS Suzuki is a sweet ride, and as reliable as anything made since.

 

[Admiral Beez]

My sons and my nephew ride newer , expensive stuff and they haven't gotten off scott free. 20-30 grand does not guarantee trouble free motorcycling. 3 grand in a GS Suzuki is a sweet ride, and as reliable as anything made since.

Agreed. And I can?t buy a modern equivalent to my air cooled, shaft drive 650cc anyway. A Guzzi 750cc twin is as close as I can get, but with about half the horsepower.

 

[wymple]

My son Chris has a 750 Guzzi. He likes everything about it. He was an inline 4 middleweight kinda guy before. The HP difference is not relevant to the pleasure of the bike. It has plenty, just not a real hotrod. It's light years better than my GS850 in handling, and the lower weight and center of gravity are huge pluses.

 

[Admiral Beez]

My son Chris has a 750 Guzzi. He likes everything about it. He was an inline 4 middleweight kinda guy before. The HP difference is not relevant to the pleasure of the bike. It has plenty, just not a real hotrod. It's light years better than my GS850 in handling, and the lower weight and center of gravity are huge pluses.

Thanks for that. I have been looking at the MG V7 as a second bike.

 

[wymple]

If you are into sucking up compliments, it's that kind of bike. People ask about it a lot.

 

[850 Combat]

It looks nice, at least what you can see. That's worth a lot in my opinion. I bought a 60,000 mile 1100G a decade ago. A couple times, it had a real big blue smoke fest upon start up. It ran about 10,000 miles in my loaner fleet. I gave it to my brother after the last tour, which was over 5000 miles. The previous tours were only a couple thousand miles. It has never had any top end maintenance beyond valve adjustment. My brother says it will still occasionally smoke at start-up, still but I haven't seen it. It never did it all when used regularly.