• Required reading for all forum users!!!

    Welcome!
    Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.

    A note to new registrants...
    All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.

    A Special Note about Email accounts!
    DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.

    A note to old forum members...
    I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.

    Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.

    Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...

  • Returning Visitors

    If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.

    If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.

1982 gs850l gas mileage

  • Thread starter Thread starter rrhuehn
  • Start date Start date
Consensus on here is use the zip tie method not the shim tool. zip tie is both easier AND cheaper.
 
I just did a mileage check last night and got a little over 43 mpg with a 60/40 mix of two up back roads and single rider high speed highway blitzing.
And I'm sorry Dogma, but my 1100 DOES NOT sound like a sewing machine!\\:D/
 
I do have a question regarding the valve adjustment. I see I need a shim tool http://www.motionpro.com/motorcycle/tools/valve_shim_tools/
which I will order.

Now about setting clearance, do I need more shims to do this or how does that part work? I have a feeler gauge but I am not familiar with valve shims or how the clearence is actually set.

Lastly I assume once I crack the top of this motor open I need a new valve cover gasket as well correct?

Anything else I am missing or should know to attempt this job?

Thanks again for your help!

You'll need a new valve cover gasket. I used a rubber Realgasket and recommend these but remember only torque to 15 INCH/pounds, not FOOT/pounds. You will need a shim tool unless this ziptie method works... I'm not familiar with that...

You can go two ways with the adjustment job. You can order a nice set from Z1 Enterprises for $100 which includes just about any shim you could need and do the job in an afternoon OR you could open up the top and check your clearances first. You might get away with swapping a couple of shims from valve to valve but it probably won't get them all done. Then you'll need to order the individual shims you've decided you need and wait to get the adjustment done.

Now that I think about it, does the '82 still use shims? I guess all the 8v models do until '83 or so?

I opted to buy the kit since I've thrown my lot in with GS's and will probably have a lot of valve adjustments in my future. ALTHOUGH, my new GS1100e doesn't need shims... Hmmm... Maybe I should sell 'em? I AM still hoping for a nice '78 GS1000 some day...

Josh

PS: Read this - http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=105572&page=2
AND this - http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=107491
and you'll have no problem getting this done. It's a bit of a mind-numbing experience the first time but just be patient and recheck everything.

PPS: I just got 41 MPG on a 70+ MPH highway jaunt. Have you sealed your airbox? Replaced airbox/carb rubber boots and o-rings?
 
Last edited:
Zip tie method? I will have to research that, haven't heard of it.

Look on basscliff's site. You open the valve, stick a zip tie in the spark plug hole between the valve and the valve seat, and the valve now can't close. When you rotate the cam the valve will stay open to change the shim. It can take a second to get the hang of it, but then it's actually easier than trying to get the shim tool to not pop off.
 
You'll need a new valve cover gasket. I used a rubber Realgasket and recommend these but remember only torque to 15 INCH/pounds, not FOOT/pounds. You will need a shim tool unless this ziptie method works... I'm not familiar with that...

You can go two ways with the adjustment job. You can order a nice set from Z1 Enterprises for $100 which includes just about any shim you could need and do the job in an afternoon OR you could open up the top and check your clearances first. You might get away with swapping a couple of shims from valve to valve but it probably won't get them all done. Then you'll need to order the individual shims you've decided you need and wait to get the adjustment done.

Now that I think about it, does the '82 still use shims? I guess all the 8v models do until '83 or so?

I opted to buy the kit since I've thrown my lot in with GS's and will probably have a lot of valve adjustments in my future. ALTHOUGH, my new GS1100e doesn't need shims... Hmmm... Maybe I should sell 'em? I AM still hoping for a nice '78 GS1000 some day...

Josh

PS: Read this - http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=105572&page=2
AND this - http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=107491
and you'll have no problem getting this done. It's a bit of a mind-numbing experience the first time but just be patient and recheck everything.

PPS: I just got 41 MPG on a 70+ MPH highway jaunt. Have you sealed your airbox? Replaced airbox/carb rubber boots and o-rings?

Mine is DOHC so I should not have shims then correct?

I have not replaced any boots, the ones to the motor from the carbs look good as new. The airbox boots are not as good shape but I have not replaced them. Far as sealign it up, you mean the new tape as on BassCliffs page? No have not done that either.
 
Well, since I apparently screwed up the installation of new fork seals last spring... not as great as last summer.

I'm getting my first taste of them in the past few days. Finally got the crappy old tires replaced with the sport demons. Got about 200 miles on them now, so leaning a little further every day. I plan to keep going over til I hear that sound of the footpeg scrape. I ride with some guys on modern sport bikes on occasion, so they challenge me for sure.
 
Since I am learning a ton about my bike I have another question about the carbs. When I cleaned them I had a hard time with the CV Boot it would not stay in that ring for nothing, curl up etc when I put it back on. I have no doubt it's just mashed between the top cover and carb but it runs fine.

Should I worry about this, if I have a problem down the road can I get new boots or do I need the whole new needlevalve assembly?

any tips on how to get that boot to stay in the track when putting these back together?
 
Consensus on here is use the zip tie method not the shim tool. zip tie is both easier AND cheaper.

Consensus???
You didn't ask me.

The proper tool is way easier, quicker, and does no damage.

I used the zip ties while my tools were elsewhere, pain in the ass.
 
Consensus???
You didn't ask me.

The proper tool is way easier, quicker, and does no damage.

I used the zip ties while my tools were elsewhere, pain in the ass.

HA!
Consensus means "the general opinion by most people", not unanimous.
 
I'm getting my first taste of them in the past few days. Finally got the crappy old tires replaced with the sport demons. Got about 200 miles on them now, so leaning a little further every day. I plan to keep going over til I hear that sound of the footpeg scrape. I ride with some guys on modern sport bikes on occasion, so they challenge me for sure.

Sounds like you read my first draft... I thought I edited it quickly enough! I've actually thought about fooling around in an empty parking lot to learn to trust it. Also, to work on those tight way-leaned-over U-turns you see in the books. Hopefully I can get my brakes rebuilt in time to catch the experienced rider class this summer. They still work OK (except the rear is dragging a bit), but I don't want the distraction while I'm trying to learn.
 
Now about setting clearance, do I need more shims to do this or how does that part work? I have a feeler gauge but I am not familiar with valve shims or how the clearence is actually set.
Do you have any kind of manual for your bike? All three of the popular manuals (Factory, Clymer, Haynes) have a decent section on how to adjust the valves. BassCliff's website has a nice pictorial. If you send me an e-mail with a request, I will respond with a copy of my spreadsheet that will help you keep track of your shims, and help you choose any new shims.

The concept of adjustment with shims is really rather simple. You measure the present clearance. If it is in spec, great. If not, you will need to change the shim. You may need a thinner shim to increase the clearance or a thicker one to decrease clearance. The shims come in specific sizes which happen to co-incide with the limits of the adjustment window, so you don't change anything unless it's out of spec.

Using the zip-tie method is certainly easier than using the "proper" tool, but I have had problems with that method. I will be trying it again in about a week or so, as I get my son's bike back together.

.
 
Back
Top