79 850 g- motor shot?

[Ronbayless]

I recently got a 79 850 with electric and kickstart. It sat 20 years. I push the kickstart pedal down by handturn the motor over. It had no gas tank, wss sitting outside.i just drained the oil checking the bike out. I expected black sludge. It was light brown like weak coffee. I figure even though it does feel oily its probably oil and rainwater. I guess the engine is ruined even though it turns over.right?

 

[rphillips]

No necessarily.

 

[Rob S.]

I don't think you should be able to work the kick start with your hand. You weren't grabbing the clutch lever with your other hand, were you?

 

[Grimly]

I don't think you should be able to work the kick start with your hand. You weren't grabbing the clutch lever with your other hand, were you?

Yes, you can. It surprised me at the time.
It's not really free and easy, you can feel some compression, but it's nothing like the kickstart on a twin.

 

[unfocused]

I just pulled apart a 77 GS550 that had water in [NODE="3"]Blogs[/NODE] cyl and it was rusted to the cylinder wall. Some PB Blaster and time, it freed up.
Removed the jug and the engine is free and worth looking into rebuilding. Not sure if I can save [NODE="3"]Blogs[/NODE] liner and I'm not about to waste $$$ removing and replacing this.
No option to bore it out over 1mm - no pistons available - only option is to find usable jugs (anyone?) or find a 650G and take the top end (anyone?)

So don't throw it away just yet - plenty of 850's out there that need help or are best for parts

 

[LAB3]

If it has water in it you'll know when you pull the oil drain plug since the water will settle at the bottom. As to compression you can expect it to be low until you run the engine a bit to reseat the rings.

If the oil seems to be water free after pulling the drain plug I'd hook up a battery to it and see if you can get it to fire with some starting fluid and go from there, it might not be as nearly bad off as you think!

 

[eil]

You omitted the most important details: Where was it sitting? Under a lean-to or under a tree? Were the spark plugs installed? Were the carburetors also installed? If it was stored outside in the rain and the answer to either of the last two is no, then the engine _probably_ needs anything between a full rebuild and a trip to the scrapyard. If the plug and carbs were on it to prevent water from getting into the cylinders and ruining them, it _might_ still be fine. The fact that it turns over at all is a good sign. If you want to turn it over any more, I would put some oil in the cylinders to give them a fighting chance.

 

[Ronbayless]

You omitted the most important details: Where was it sitting? Under a lean-to or under a tree? Were the spark plugs installed? Were the carburetors also installed? If it was stored outside in the rain and the answer to either of the last two is no, then the engine _probably_ needs anything between a full rebuild and a trip to the scrapyard. If the plug and carbs were on it to prevent water from getting into the cylinders and ruining them, it _might_ still be fine. The fact that it turns over at all is a good sign. If you want to turn it over any more, I would put some oil in the cylinders to give them a fighting chance.

It was sitting outside, no tree, no carport. But yes the carbs and plugs are on it and in it. The vin is so old it was pre 17 digit, so it has not been on the road or registered in more than 20 years. This idea sounds crazy, but if I get the engine running and can not register it I might try to source an amen frame. I have a friend that is a master welder. We could shoehorn the motor into the frame and make a chopper. But with no extended forks. I hate those.

 

[chuck hahn]

Throw a teaspoon of oil into each plug hole and use the starter motor to do compression checks across the board. Thottle must be wide open. If you cant do a full throttle with the grip then remove the carbs.Establishing that much will tell a lot.
I needed use jumper cables straught to the starter motor. Ground to frame and positve clamp to the starter cable stud on the motor.

 

[Ronbayless]

this saturday, 6/9/24, I will get the bike back into my yard, then I will start investigating. I appreciate all the input. Normally I would pull all the plugs, put a tbsp of atf down each plug hole, put a wrench on the crank bolt and slowly try to turn the motor. I had one that seemed locked up but the plastic cam chain guide had popped out of the cup. So I will let you guys know what happens. As usual the rear brake was locked, the caliper had to be popped loose. I figure the master cylinders are bone dry. I could easily have a lot in this and never get it right. But it should still make a parts bike. I never liked the shape of the tank on the 850s, but it holds more gas.

 

[Ronbayless]

i let a friend take my 1100, he got it running after fixig enough wiring to get it to start. I could not have done that.He took the airbox off my 850 parts bike and made it fit the 1100. Even though the carbs are 32 and 36 mm from one to the other. It wasnt hard. But now if I get the 850 running, which I doubt, what do I do for an airbox. I am very much against the idea of pods.I saw one person custom make a 4 into one airbox, sort of epanded wire mesh with foam filter inside. It is near impossible as everyone here knows to get the carbs in and out with the stock airbox in place. I have done it many times and hate trying to do that. so my question is, should I try to make a unifilter if I went with pods I have no idea how much bigger the jets should be, anyone here know? I have found multiple 850s in much better shape but if this engine can be saved I would love to save this bike.

 

[850 Combat]

1979s are a different animal. I got a free one back when. It had points, and non CV slide carburetors. Wiring harness was significantly different. The self cancelling turn signals were more crude. It was given to my by a PO who had over filled the crank case and thought he had blown it up. It ran on 2 cylinders. Switched some wiring then it ran on the other two. Bad condenser. I could have bought an aftermarket electronic ignition for the cost of OEM Points and Condensers. In the end, I have a strong preference for the easy throttle pull of the later CV carbs, I think 1979 had a different head as well