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GS valve bucket

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ton1959
  • Start date Start date
T

Ton1959

Guest
Today I was checking the valves on my GS550. I found that one of the buckets was very hard to turn while the valve had free play. The bike has hardly been used in the last years and I think that this might be the reason. The valve does open and close without any problems. But I needed a screwdriver to make the bucket turn. I poored some more oil over the bucket and moved it several times and it is a bit easier to move but still not easy. Have others had this before when you checked the valves?
I have put new oil into the engine so it might ease off after a few hundred km. But till curious itf it occurs more on the GS's.
 
Nothing to do with valve clearance in this case. Without the shim it is still hard to move. I do know how to check valve clearance.
 
I've pulled engines apart before and found scored and scorched looking buckets. Looks like the engine was abused by neglected oil changes and/or overheating. Good used buckets are cheap and easy to find so you might want to consider picking up a few.
 
Thanks Ed

Are all the GS550 valve buckets the same size? Mine is a 550E (z) Z for model year 82. But the bike was first registered in 84. It seems to be one bucket that is not willing to turn. So will have a cams out job too now.
 
Ton1959 said:
Are all the GS550 valve buckets the same size?
Click to expand...
<switching to infomercial voice> But wait, there's MORE!! :D

All of the GS engines that have only two valves per cylinder, from the 250 all the way to the 1100 shafty, use the same buckets. :eek:

If you need some, let me know, I have a few sitting around.

.
 
I presume that cams out means carbs off and tensioner out or can I do it witout removing the carbs. Pehaps turn anti clock wise to make the chain go tight on the tensioner site and turn wheel on tensioner and after undo nut and tighten tensioner so it can't work?
 
Ton1959 said:
Nothing to do with valve clearance in this case. Without the shim it is still hard to move. I do know how to check valve clearance.
Click to expand...

I have a bunch of spare buckets (from a GS650) message me if you need them
 
Thanks Paul,

You are a bit closer then the others on the forum . I will have a think what to do next. I migh try running it a few times with the new oil in and check to see if it has improved. If it hasn't I will get in toch again. I wil just have to take it apart. No rush for me as the bike won't be used for a while. IIt has to be right in the end.
If the idle doesn't improve on the bike I have to take the carbs apart too which means waiting for bit for those too.
 
You non mechanical guys really worry about everything -- OH YES it seems like a firestorm but a little resistance is overcome by mechanical advantage easily.

good thing Suzuki did not make ice cream makers
 
How easy is it to take out the cams without touching the carbs? I want to check the valve buckets . I think that it has to be done so I might as well do it right.
 
Last edited:
If you can remove your cam chain tensioner then you can leave the carbs in place. It can be done but I would suggest it's easier to pull the carbs.
 
If I remove the carbs I might as well give them a clean and replace the inlet manifold rubber boots. Can I get away with leaving the old rubbers between air filter and carbs?
 
I am not that lucky they feel hard. I saw some for sale here new but not sure if they are all the same on the GS550's. The manifold boots will be expensive as I have seen on Ebay. The akward thing about my bike that I can't find a parts fiche online for the GS550E ( Z) The Z stands for modelyear 82. I hardly ever see these bikes for sale even over here.
I did manage do slightly undo the bolts for the tensioner because I removed the starter cover first. But I wil take the carbs off anyway.
 
When you remove the tensioner make sure you follow the procedure given in the manual.

The inlet rubbers are the same as your bike on all the 550s (including the katana) fitted with CV carbs (so 1980 on model year).
 
Suzuki didn't change the parts very much over the years. Just about all the engine parts from 1980 and onward, CV carb bikes, will be the same. Regarding the buckets, as mentioned already, they are all the same. Replace the bucket if you are concern. Keep in mind that when changing the buckets you also need to adjust the valve since it will upset the setting.
 
I am getting good at doing these valves . I know that I have to check the valve clearance after changing the buckets. When buckets don't turn it means that they are slightly seized so it isn't clever (tkent02) to just ride it.
I want to be able to ride it but don't fancy walking home with it. Or finding out that your valve hits a piston because it got stuck in the open position.
 
Carb boots. I think they look bad enough to renew but the price is very high. Did the ones yopu have changed even worse or about the same?
 
I have checked the price in the UK first as prices are a bit lower very often in the UK but still just over 125 pound and another 20 pound delevery costs. I have sent an e mail to the closest Suzuki dealer here to get a quote from them. Daft price I think for a piece of rubber with some meatal attached to it.
 
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