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1981 GS550T - splitting cases question

  • Thread starter Thread starter D-Mac
  • Start date Start date
Yup. Crank is twisted. I was having some issues with timing, and after ruling out carbs, verifying cam timing, and checking ignition/electrical, I dropped a dial indicator down the spark plug holes for #1 and #4. Sure enough, I discovered that #1 is way off (it hits TDC at the point when crank mark is lined up with the firing point, whereas #4 is exactly at TDC at the correct "TDC" timing mark). Took me a bit to realize this problem since compression was still high enough to be "good" (albeit lower on #1 and #2), leak-down was OK since the valves would still close, and the bike started and ran for a several seconds before things started to sound ugly (backfiring through carbs, etc) I should have noticed this when I re-did my top-end, but at the time I wasn't sure what to look for. It's obvious enough now.

Both bikes are 81s, so I should be OK (of course I'll check my "new" crankshaft - including play and run-out).

On these 550s the cylinder sleeves are really tapered at the bottoms. I've tested sliding in a piston from the bottom (with my spare set) and it seems to work. Of course lining up all four at once and pushing them in might result in a broken ring somewhere.

Ah screw it. I guess I'll just pull the top end again. As you say, I gotta loosen the cam chain anyway to get the crank out. If it wasn't for the $90 I have to spend on another head gasket, I wouldn't hesitate to do it (my complete top-end rebuild currently has exactly 0 miles on it). I guess I've come too far to take chances now though.
 
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