Around the world on a GS850G for a cause

[shirazdrum]

Chris, can you get ahold of another bike and continue the trip without killing your funds? Personally, I think I would look at what I wanted to do as far as this quest you are on. How important is it for you to continue it? Is it something you can pick back up later after either fixing it or getting a new one without too much trouble?

No easy answers but know we're here to support you whichever way you play it.

The trouble is that everything is so expensive here. This beat up GS850 (if it had an argentine title) would sell somewhere around $4000 USD. A simple 125cc bike is 2000 bucks here. uruguay is the same, Chile is worse and Paraguay is so poor that finding a decent bike is almost impossible. And they are all 2-3000 miles away from me.

I'm thinking a new motorcycle, preferably a dual sport is the answer. i can't risk spending the time and money on this bike and having it breakdown in Bolivia next month because i missed a metal chunk hidden in an oil passage.

A Suzuki DR650 would be a perfect replacement but it cost almost $12000 down here. I need the big motorcycle companies to pitch in. i already gave Suzuki a 8 series documentary for free (BBC from Jan, 1st) i hoe they man up and send out a bike. i'll try to call the on monday.

Rich,

Thanks for the email address, i'll shoot him an email right away.


Thanks to all of you for being so supportive, that's another reason i don't want to change the GS because i know i can get the help here anytime anywhere in the world.

 

[cowboyup3371]

Honestly Chris I think you answered your own question albeit knowing it's going to be expensive. But I have to say, there are plenty of folks on here that don't have GSs as their primary bike and they still get plenty of help. I can't see anyone leaving you stranded just because you don't have a GS...it'll just mean we'll have to do more research first.

 

[mighty13d]

I have the engine out of my 80 GS850 just sitting in my garage. It ran great in my 82. There is at least one broken exhaust stud though and the valves need to be adjusted. I can ship my valve adjustment kit with it though. Everything else can be swapped (aside from the drive shaft which I would include). I do not have the money to ship it down there though. It's here in Maine. If I could get someone to ship it for me, I can drain the oil, crate it and get it shipped to you. Anyone have the money to spare?

 

[tkent02]

Will somebody please donate a motorcycle to this worthy cause?
(So I don't have to)

 

[Dogma]

I have the engine out of my 80 GS850 just sitting in my garage. It ran great in my 82. There is at least one broken exhaust stud though and the valves need to be adjusted. I can ship my valve adjustment kit with it though. Everything else can be swapped (aside from the drive shaft which I would include). I do not have the money to ship it down there though. It's here in Maine. If I could get someone to ship it for me, I can drain the oil, crate it and get it shipped to you. Anyone have the money to spare?

Any idea what the shipping would be? I'm sure I can't cover it all, but I can contribute.

I understand the idea to ride something newer, especially if it was sponsored. Clearly both are preferable. Failing that, I have to say, the problems so far are things we know how to deal with permanently. The drive spline we know how to fix. 30 year old rubber seals and intake pipes, we know should be replaced. If we do ship an engine, we should make sure all the external seals are new.

If not for an accidental lean mix, the GS would still be going strong. Any carbureted bike could fall prey to a clogged fuel flow. Still, I hope someone comes through with a sponsorship. That would be ideal.

 

[Guest]

I can pay half the shipping cost. I saw a price of 500, but I had to uncheck the "engine" box in this particular freight calculator.

Anyone do a lot of overseas shipping and can come up with a firm number?

 

[Guest]

Unbelievable story so far Chris. It's truly amazing you made it really. On a bike that old, with no serious injuries. It's a huge accomplishment, and all the people you have educated and helped on the way, inspiring. I've been reading "The long way down" and it made me think of you and the heat the bike is going to have endure. If I had the funds I'd be sending you a new BMW as your cause is as worthy if not more than some. Best of luck, and relish in your achievement thus far.

 

[shirazdrum]

Thank you so much guys, I'm glad i'm not riding a Honda as i would probably be riding a donkey soon out of Argentina if i didn't have you guys.

Matt,

That's very generous of you, i don't really know how to thank you. A complete running engine would be less hassle than trying to fix this thing up. I can remove the broken exhaust bolt and adjust the valves. the top end is in OK shape on mine and i can cannibalize it to make a solid engine out of both.

spchips and Dogma,

Thank you, thank you and thank you and another thank you. Just when i thought it was the end of the road for this old gal, you guys are keeping it alive.

My internet is very slow and will loose it after tonight as i have to move back to the farm (where the bike is) so if anyone knows anything about international shipping, please chime in.

The engine has to come to Mar del Plata, Argentina and the address is:

2437 Almafuerte St.
7600 Mar de Plata.
Argentina R.

Jeff already has all the gaskets needed to make it leak proof and i think Jared has a spare spline for the rear shaft that could work.

I have the internet until tonight, please keep me posted to see if the shipping is a possibility.

In the long run, i'll call every major and minor motorcycle company for sponsorship, if that doesn't work, we'll sign a petition with 1000 signatures

AZR,

Thanks for the kind words, it was amazing to listen to Claudio's stories from long Way Down. Paul Jackson the editor of the series was with us too. The Africa is going to be hot, i can feel the heat coming here already.

 

[Skateguy50]

Great to hear all this great support from you guys. I missed a call from Chris last night but good to see something is happening here. I really dont know the best way to ship can can check that out on Monday.

Chris should anything be done on the engine state side before it goes to you?

I have never done a full engine swap so not really sure, but if I could get a last minute wrenching party together with the NE guys we could clean it up.

Also Im sure we can get the parts together and ship it all at once, but thats if that is the route you want to go. Cynthia wants a board meeting soon so maybe this can all be part of that, deciding what path to go.

Sean, is there anyway you can give the engine a once over rather than chip in for shipping? I know you got experience and anything you can do is way better than me and better than Chris trying to do it down there. If this is the plan or best plan I can drive up tomorrow and get the engine from Matt and get it to Sean, then call around Monday and find the best way to ship once its ready to go.

Think I got both your guys numbers, I can call in the am

 

[Skateguy50]

so what does a dry engine weigh?

 

[mighty13d]

so what does a dry engine weigh?

a lot. f'ers are heavy old girls.


I also will be providing the drive shaft. The splines will slide right into your final drive. It did with mine that is the twin to yours. you will need to swap over the points from your 82 to this one and everything else will mate right up. I will provide my valve shim kit to whoever might wrench on it unless we can get you a head gasket so that you can swap heads if you want to. That might be easier than getting the stuck studs out.. maybe there is a machine shop that will sponsor you by taking them out. I am thinking that there is two stuck. I do not remember for sure though.



let me think on it tonight though. I might have an even better solution... I do have the twin to your bike with a motor that doesn't need any studs pulled and i adjusted the valves 500 miles ago.. that might be easier. I'll have to yank the bike out of storage and pull the motor though. which will take me tomorrow night. I could have it ready to go monday. That would be a lot easier.

 

[JEEPRUSTY]

The trouble is that everything is so expensive here. This beat up GS850 (if it had an argentine title) would sell somewhere around $4000 USD. A simple 125cc bike is 2000 bucks here. uruguay is the same, Chile is worse and Paraguay is so poor that finding a decent bike is almost impossible. And they are all 2-3000 miles away from me.

I'm thinking a new motorcycle, preferably a dual sport is the answer. i can't risk spending the time and money on this bike and having it breakdown in Bolivia next month because i missed a metal chunk hidden in an oil passage.

A Suzuki DR650 would be a perfect replacement but it cost almost $12000 down here. I need the big motorcycle companies to pitch in. i already gave Suzuki a 8 series documentary for free (BBC from Jan, 1st) i hoe they man up and send out a bike. i'll try to call the on monday.

Rich,

Thanks for the email address, i'll shoot him an email right away.


Thanks to all of you for being so supportive, that's another reason i don't want to change the GS because i know i can get the help here anytime anywhere in the world.

2-3000 miles gosh those are twisty roads down there.
You know if you gave up the bike and rode a donkey like mary on the way to beget Jesus maybe things would go better on your junket.

 

[Skateguy50]

a lot. f'ers are heavy old girls.


I also will be providing the drive shaft. The splines will slide right into your final drive. It did with mine that is the twin to yours. you will need to swap over the points from your 82 to this one and everything else will mate right up. I will provide my valve shim kit to whoever might wrench on it unless we can get you a head gasket so that you can swap heads if you want to. That might be easier than getting the stuck studs out.. maybe there is a machine shop that will sponsor you by taking them out. I am thinking that there is two stuck. I do not remember for sure though.



let me think on it tonight though. I might have an even better solution... I do have the twin to your bike with a motor that doesn't need any studs pulled and i adjusted the valves 500 miles ago.. that might be easier. I'll have to yank the bike out of storage and pull the motor though. which will take me tomorrow night. I could have it ready to go monday. That would be a lot easier.

just trying to get ideas on shipping, ups international was like $500 air freight with a guess of 200lbs. be about a week to ship, didnt get into shipping via sea as that could be months.

Also I know sean has the skills and shop to do anything that could ever be needed on these bikes. So IF he has the time maybe he could help with some preshipping wrenching. Again I know much less on this level of work than others, but if we can get an engine I will find a way to get it to him.

 

[Guest]

Jared, thanks for all the praise, I really appreciate it. However I think you are giving me more than I deserve. If Mighty13 Pulls the running motor and adjusts the valves, there's not much more I can do, aside from giving it a spit shine.

Also, unfortunately I have very little time these days. Money is something I can spare readily. If you have the time and the will to deal with shipping, I will gladly fork over the cash.

sean

 

[Skateguy50]

Thanks sean, I know its always a balance of one or the other.

I think his contact at Z1 is going to be able to get him the gaskets if needed, I can build a crate for it and guess you just need to bolt the engine to a wood frame via the engine mounts and bolts.

I will let you and others know how to best chip in on helping with the shipping, probably will just front it to get it to him asap and put out my paypal to reimburse some of the expense.

Anyways, got to get the kids ready for Church. I think I still got Matts # so will give you a call later and see what you are willing to donate and how best to coordinate it all.

 

[tkent02]

I will let you and others know how to best chip in on helping with the shipping, probably will just front it to get it to him asap and put out my paypal to reimburse some of the expense.

I think most of us in the GSR would be happy to pitch in a few bucks to get this engine to Argentina.
What's the paypal address, I'm in.

 

[Flyboy]

I agree, I am sure that most of the regulars on the site would throw a couple of pennies into the pot to help, we should be able to raise the cash, I don't see why not.
Can someone get hold of Z1, they are a sponsor on this mission, and they do shipping all the time, they would be able to find out in a heart beat what the shipping would cost, maybe even negotiate a better rate with their shipper, due to the volumes they move, they must spend hundreds of thousands a year on shipping, surely that should carry some weight?

 

[Skateguy50]

Good point Flyboy. Im sure Chris is contacting them, he has net here and there and I hope to catch a call from him next time he does.

I would say hold off on anything major till we find out the direction he wants to go. I sent Matt a pm on facebook and will sort out getting all the stuff together.

Thanks for all the support so far, I am sure we can keep this a GS Ride.

 

[mighty13d]

I can make something to ship it in. I'm going to get a pallet from work and I have super strong 1inch thick cardboard to put around it. Could probably get the store to donate some wood for the sides.

 

[Dogma]

let me think on it tonight though. I might have an even better solution... I do have the twin to your bike with a motor that doesn't need any studs pulled and i adjusted the valves 500 miles ago.. that might be easier. I'll have to yank the bike out of storage and pull the motor though. which will take me tomorrow night. I could have it ready to go monday. That would be a lot easier.

Would this engine be an '80 or '82? In addition to the differences you already mentioned for mounting the '80, I wanted to point out that the '80 cam cover will need a different gasket from what Chris has been using. (A different clutch cover gasket too, if he ever needs to get in there.)

Also, it sounds like he needs intake rubber. Is that available, or will Chris need to talk to Z1 about that?