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Bad News for me

  • Thread starter Thread starter mrquadriga
  • Start date Start date
G'day nabrams,
My 1981 CB750 certainly does not, and everyone on this site told me I'd need to remove the engine
1. Yes, I was able to rebuild the top end of my 1100 ('81 Katana) with the engine in place; head and cylinder block came out no worries at all (photos here). Same with the GS1000S I used to have.
2. I just checked a Suzuki service manual I have for the GS750, and it's interesting, but in a list of "components removable with the engine in place" it includes "pistons" ... I presume that would have to include cylinder head and cylinder block? :-s :-s :-s
3. Hmm, it may be that the "L"-style models have less clearance when it comes to dismantling the engines in the frame? I could well be wrong on this score but I would hate to see someone go through all the work removing the entire donk if it turned out not to be necessary.:(

So if anyone has any advice from direct experience on pulling GS1100"L" heads & cylinder blocks with the engine still in the frame, now's the time to speak up!
 
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Ya know what? Follow the advice of all the fine and knowagable (sp?) folks on here!

But even IF (!!!) the motor IS blown and too expensive to fix, you can always pick up another motor and put it in the frame for a LOT cheeper than buying another bike that WILL need work.
 
I feel ashamed however in that "pulling" the covers and cam cover bolts and other things like that are foreign to me. I know, what a maroon....I have it in my garage now and will begin by draining the oil this morning. The questions I asked at the shop were, it was a dry test. The plugs didn't look too bad. There is a gasket leaking. (I'm assuming it's the head gasket since it's near the exhaust pipes area) Next question, this spring I had my tank relined by a radiator shop. Since this project is going to take some time, I would assume I have to take off the tank? And if I take off the tank, should I do anything special to the tank to keep it from rusting inside? I just want to do things right so that I can avoid other problems on down the road. Thanks to all.-Pete
 
Ashamed nothing...I'm scared to adjust my valves for the first time, solo. I want someone to watch and hit me in the back of the head with a wrench or something "No, not like that!" I know in my mind it's not a big deal but I also know if you don't do it right you can cause more harm than good.

Is there anyone near our forum brother Pete, willing to lend a hand?
 
Pete,
I just caught this thread. I'm coming to Duluth to teach the BRC this weekend, leaving at around noon today. PM me with the particulars to your place and I can swing by. Looks like our ride is off...........
Dan
 
I have never took the topend apart on my GLZ in the frame, but I have pulled the motor out several times. Its not too bad of a job. The biggest trouble is the weight of the engine- Its heavy but I have done it three times so far by myself. My freinds are like calluses- they show up when the work is done!
The main thing on pulling and installing the engine on a GL is to roll it out of the right side (throttle side) of the frame.
I have purchased 2 good GS engines off ebay for $150 each- 1 850, 1 1000. Both of these engines were "bolt in and go".
So even if you were to have catastrophic damage to your engine, with some mechanical inclination, a small amount of funds and the desire, you can have it up and running in no time!
Especially with this website- You can do it!!!
Good Luck
 
Just found this thread today and I can confirm that the cylinder head and cylinder can be removed without removing the engine on any 1100 shafty. In fact I believe that it is true for any 750 and up shafty according to the manual.

I have both of mine off right now. I just broke a middle piston ring while installing the cylinder, so I am searching for rings. Any suggestions. Looks like Bike Bandit may have it.
 
mrquadriga said:
I feel ashamed however in that "pulling" the covers and cam cover bolts and other things like that are foreign to me. I know, what a maroon....I have it in my garage now and will begin by draining the oil this morning. The questions I asked at the shop were, it was a dry test. The plugs didn't look too bad. There is a gasket leaking. (I'm assuming it's the head gasket since it's near the exhaust pipes area) Next question, this spring I had my tank relined by a radiator shop. Since this project is going to take some time, I would assume I have to take off the tank? And if I take off the tank, should I do anything special to the tank to keep it from rusting inside? I just want to do things right so that I can avoid other problems on down the road. Thanks to all.-Pete
If your fuel tank was coated internally then you could just leave the fuel in and set it aside without rust worries. However, if you find that it will be a long wait, then drain and just leave it empty. Remeber, all of this is if it was coated internally. Mine is slightly white inside from Kreem brand liner.
 
IF its going to be a while (months) and the tank has not been coated fill it up with fuel or drain and fogg it.
 
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Engine removal is not required to replace pistons, rings, base and head gaskets, etc on an 1100. Everything down to the engine crankcase/transmission is removable with the engine mounted in the frames. Been there, done that.

Earl
 
here we go

here we go

Using the Clymer manual, I'm stuck at the following point.

Removed fuel tank, trying to remove carburetors. The step reads as so....

"Loosen the locknuts securing the throttle cable. Slide the outer cable end out of the carburetor bracket (I did that) and disconnect the inner cable end from the throttle shaft."

How do you disconnect the inner cable end from the throttle shaft? The manual does not show a picture of how to do that. Sorry for such a silly question....-Pete
 
Look for the little slot on the throttle shaft lever and slide the cable right out/off. Hope this makes sence. Take a close look at it and youll see what were talking about.
 
mrquadriga said:
Using the Clymer manual, I'm stuck at the following point.

Removed fuel tank, trying to remove carburetors. The step reads as so....

"Loosen the locknuts securing the throttle cable. Slide the outer cable end out of the carburetor bracket (I did that) and disconnect the inner cable end from the throttle shaft."

How do you disconnect the inner cable end from the throttle shaft? The manual does not show a picture of how to do that. Sorry for such a silly question....-Pete


Not Silly Pete, Silly Would Be NOT asking and Breaking Something! Been There, Done That, Thank God not on My Bike Though!:oops:
 
Alright, figured it out and got the throttle cable undone from the carbs. Now I'm stuck at the point where it says to remove the two bolts from the airbox. Any tips on how to get a wrench or socket on them bad boys? They're up under the upper part of the frame just below where the front of the seat rests. Spent an hour last night dealing with that. Many thanks....-Pete
 
Pete which service manual are you using? In my Clymer (that covers 80-81 GS & GSX1100 fours) on page 103 figure 135 they look pretty easy to get at. Mine has pods, my air box came in a box of extra parts so I've never actually removed one.
 
ScottMc1100L said:
Ashamed nothing...I'm scared to adjust my valves for the first time, solo. I want someone to watch and hit me in the back of the head with a wrench or something "No, not like that!" I know in my mind it's not a big deal but I also know if you don't do it right you can cause more harm than good.

Is there anyone near our forum brother Pete, willing to lend a hand?

assume you've been hit, now get going!
 
Okay, got the airbox undone and the carbs removed....

Let's recap. Dry compression test revealed #120 in cyl 1, #20 in cyl 2, #35 in cyl 3 and #130 in cyl 4. What's next? Remember, you're dealing with someone that's never taken anything apart before. Please use small words and talk slowly...lol. I'm suspecting that the "head" has to come off, just looking for a confirmation. While waiting for your replies I'm going to get up close and personal with a bank of carbs......?. Many Thanks....Pete
 
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