First Street Bike Project - with a few questions

[Guest]

Redneck, where did you find a wet blaster? I've been looking all around today and can only find industrial type outfits doing hyrdoblasting. About all I have found is glass bead (an option if I can plug the oil passages somehow), and cold tank dip. Not having much luck.

I did find a guy who would clean up the head and do the valves for $175 and that includes power washing the head whatever that is but no parts if needed. Does that sound reasonable?

Thanks,
Sci85

 

[7981GS]

As for cleaning the engine for painting, try a couple of treatments of foaming engine degreaser followed with high pressure air after each rinse cycle.
Then, get some solvent and a solvent brush and scrub, poke, stab with the brush.
Follow with yet another dose of engine cleaner in the form of simple green and the parts brush.
High pressure air drying after rinsing with water.
Last prep before painting, spray with brake cleaner and high pressure air.
It should be ready for paint after all of that.
I have started with much worse and have had great results.

Daniel

 

[GateKeeper]

I don't have a high pressure air blower thingy or an air compressor in the garage, so I just used my leaf blower.....

hey it worked.....LOL

 

[brslk]

I don't have a high pressure air blower thingy or an air compressor in the garage, so I just used my leaf blower.....

hey it worked.....LOL

The leaf blower is also great for cleaning out the garage after sanding or cutting wood. Open the door and blow it into your neighbors yard!

 

[Guest]

Well, got some more work done today. Nearing completion of the teardown. The only thing left is the shifter and foot peg mounts. Looks like some PO mushroomed over the shaft the shifter rides on rather than replace the circlip. I'd like to find and shoot that one. Who does shi$ like that?

Anyway, tried a little simple green on the engine today and some scrubbing. It does a decent job but not nearly enough in my opinion to prep for paint so I'm still on the lookout for someone who can blast it.

Tried to make a soda blaster too and that didn't go so well. I know there has to be someone in the area who has a rig I just gotta figure out how to find them.

Anyway, got the trees off today and as expected, the bearings look like almost all the steering bearings I see. One of the most neglected maintenance items of bike owners.

Got the intake boots off as well. The outside rubber is flaking off so I'm probably going to have to replace them. Where's the best place to source these?

And lastly, took the flywheel/stator cover off to take a peak inside. Stator looks good. Do these bikes run oil bathed stators? I noticed oil in the cover but most my dirt bikes run 'em dry.

Taking a peak at the intake valves, I don't see anything that causes concern. Still debating taking the head off or not. Seems like since it's out of the bike it would be smart to go ahead and get the top end cleaned up but at almost $100 for the gasket (wth!) and $175 for the valve job, that's not a cheap decision. Hmmm.

Thanks for watching and any answers/feedback.

Sci85

 

[GateKeeper]

Those bearings look bad, probably need to be replaced.....Your stator/flywheel look better than mine did, I had to do a bit of clean up, but it came out OK.

Due to costs, I am trying to not take apart the engine as well, but it might be unavoidable, who knows too early to tell at this time, there is still lots to do, before I have to worry about those things, some can even be done once the engine is back in...

Just keep at it, your getting there....

 

[Redneck]

Lets just say when you work on a yard that rebuilds navy submarines you sometimes find yourself with access to quite a bit of Industrial equipment. No I have not seen one other than the industrial version. It is sweet though, especailly for these aluminum blocks.


Paul

 

[brslk]

Well, got some more work done today. Nearing completion of the teardown. The only thing left is the shifter and foot peg mounts. Looks like some PO mushroomed over the shaft the shifter rides on rather than replace the circlip. I'd like to find and shoot that one. Who does shi$ like that?

Anyway, tried a little simple green on the engine today and some scrubbing. It does a decent job but not nearly enough in my opinion to prep for paint so I'm still on the lookout for someone who can blast it.

Tried to make a soda blaster too and that didn't go so well. I know there has to be someone in the area who has a rig I just gotta figure out how to find them.

Anyway, got the trees off today and as expected, the bearings look like almost all the steering bearings I see. One of the most neglected maintenance items of bike owners.

Got the intake boots off as well. The outside rubber is flaking off so I'm probably going to have to replace them. Where's the best place to source these?

And lastly, took the flywheel/stator cover off to take a peak inside. Stator looks good. Do these bikes run oil bathed stators? I noticed oil in the cover but most my dirt bikes run 'em dry.

Taking a peak at the intake valves, I don't see anything that causes concern. Still debating taking the head off or not. Seems like since it's out of the bike it would be smart to go ahead and get the top end cleaned up but at almost $100 for the gasket (wth!) and $175 for the valve job, that's not a cheap decision. Hmmm.

Thanks for watching and any answers/feedback.

Sci85

How did you manage to remove the back screw from the starter cover like that?

And if all your valves look as good at that one, I wouldn't bother opening it up.

Bruce.

 

[cowboyup3371]

Intake boots can be bought from anywhere but Boulevard and G&S Suzuki have about the best prices I have seen.

 

[Guest]

I was perusing around the web looking for bolts and lucked out. Check this out I found. I am stoked!
http://www.probolt-usa.com/motorcycle/suzuki/gs550-m-katana-81-83.html

I think I'm going with the red. Will look good with the factory red and silver I think.

How did you manage to remove the back screw from the starter cover like that?

Haha, mine was missing!

And as far as the valves, yeah the intake look ok but the exhaust side not so much. I like engine work so I think I will at least do the head if I can some up with the funds.

And Paul, I'm so jealous. Wish you were closer so I could get access to that wet blaster bad boy. I think I'm going to check into the glass bead blasting if I can find someone around here to do it.

 

[Guest]

Intake boots can be bought from anywhere but Boulevard and G&S Suzuki have about the best prices I have seen.

Oh, and thanks cowboyup! Appreciate it.

BTW, does anyone know about the stator question? Do these run in oil or are they supposed to be dry? Like I said, mine had oil in the cover.

Sci85

 

[GateKeeper]

BTW, does anyone know about the stator question? Do these run in oil or are they supposed to be dry? Like I said, mine had oil in the cover.

Sci85

I found this

There is a oiler jet installed in the case behind the magnet on the crank. It squirts oil into that area and it will drain back into the pan.

and this

Keep an oil pan handy, because the stator swims in oil. The magnets are going to want to keep the cover on the bike, so don't be surprised when it doesn't just fall to the floor after all the bolts are removed.

neat write up here

http://kendoll.net/reliable_suzuki_regulator_stator

.

 

[Guest]

Ahh, your a good man GK. Thank you so much. And a happy new year to ya!

Sci85

 

[GateKeeper]

Any time.....

and a Happy New Year to you as well.....

actually we just got back in, went out for dinner at a restaurant where my older son is a sous-chef.....had a great steak dinner

Cheers

 

[brslk]

I was perusing around the web looking for bolts and lucked out. Check this out I found. I am stoked!
http://www.probolt-usa.com/motorcycle/suzuki/gs550-m-katana-81-83.html

I think I'm going with the red. Will look good with the factory red and silver I think.



Haha, mine was missing!

And as far as the valves, yeah the intake look ok but the exhaust side not so much. I like engine work so I think I will at least do the head if I can some up with the funds.

And Paul, I'm so jealous. Wish you were closer so I could get access to that wet blaster bad boy. I think I'm going to check into the glass bead blasting if I can find someone around here to do it.

I think mine may go "missing" when it gets put back together.
That or some type of stud and nut idea.

Bruce.

 

[Guest]

Well, since I'm now waiting to get some parts blasted to begin the real reassembly process, I felt compelled to get at least something done today so I stripped the rear caliper to get it ready for painting back to the OEM red. Someone had painted over the factory red with black so I had two colors to cut through. Here are the before and after pics. Took about 1.5hrs.

Before

And the after...

Sci85

 

[GateKeeper]

Aren't wire wheels the cat's a$$......

It would almost be nice to leave em just like that, nice and shiny.....mine are at that stage as well I just left more of the original paint on most of my parts,,,,,,for now

are you rebuilding the calipers, new pistons, rings, etc, I think mine have to be done, sent an email to Boulevard Suzuki for some parts, but no reply, ohhh well, I will try again latter next week.

.

 

[Flyboy]

Nice work Sci, I would almost be tempted to hit that caliper with the polishing wheel and rouge.
How is that for coincedence, both of us busy with the rear caliper.
I guess I am a littl late on the stator issue, but yes, they run in the engine oil.
One of the ways to shorten the life of your stator is to run your engine on low oil, the oil helps to keep the temps down, by leading heat away from the stator, low oil levels tend to leave the stator frying.

 

[Guest]

Aren't wire wheels the cat's a$$......

Yes they are. We'd be scr'd without them. I like them shiny too but since I'm going for the factory look, i will probably paint them back to factory. But, you never know...

are you rebuilding the calipers, new pistons, rings, etc, I think mine have to be done, sent an email to Boulevard Suzuki for some parts, but no reply, ohhh well, I will try again latter next week.

Yes, even though they look ok. No point in getting all clean and putting back on dirty underwear no? Let me know if they have a kit or you have to order individual pieces and the cost if you don't mind. I'm creating a parts list with cost so I can see how ugly this is all going to be. BTW, Xtreme Powersports (partforyamaha.com) has a good selection and are just a little bit higher than Boulevard. I don't mind paying a bit more for quick and reliable service. But, it is the holidays so that probably has something to do with it.

Sci85

 

[Guest]

Thanks Flyboy. I figured it ran in oil as even a seal would not leak that much. Actually looked pretty good in there. I'm feeling really good about this find so far. Only a couple things are going to be problematic. I'm missing the choke cable and they don't make it anymore and my seat pan has seen better days. Will have to find someone who can make me a new one. Any forum members offering that?

Oh, and I'm waiting to see the pics of your caliper ;-)