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GS650G engine vibration

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Now that I've put 700 miles on my 35K miles GS, it's become pretty apparent that the vibration level on this bike exceeds the norm for this model. I've read, in another GS link, that such vibration levels may be common for this model, with this much mileage, and, most likely, shaky(so to speak) maintenance levels, and that vibration like this may come from crankshaft issues. Now, with the nearly limitless experience of all the GS nuts (of which I am proudly one) on this site, anybody got first or second-hand experience with what sort of crank issues may be involved, journal wear or bearings going bad, or any other feedback you got.:confused: I have intended, during the winter lay-up (this is in Maine) to do the carbs and adjust the valves, but I have the sinking feeling that while that's good stuff to do, it's not going to smooth this baby out. Thanks for reading this, and I await all your considerable GS wisdom.
 
Synch your carbs, adjust your valve clearances, find a loose motor mount, or a loose footpeg mount, try again.
It should be smooth as a baby's ass.

At which RPM range does it vibrate?
What speed down the road? Sure it's not a tire issue?
Clutch rattling?
35k miles is nothing, it should be perfect at that point, less damage from sitting. (Gummed up carburetors, etc.)
 
Last edited:
If you get the parts and other supplies beforehand, you can adjust the valves in a couple of hours.

A complete carb cleaning will take the better part of a week, if you do it right. (And, if you do it right, you only have to do it once.)

These two items and a vacuum synchronization will do wonders to smooth out your engine.

If this does not smooth it out, your problem is probably not the engine. :eek:

.
 
I've read a fair number of posts here from 650 owners complaining about vibration. I've never ridden one but I know my 550's both vibrated a fair amount as well - significantly more than my 850. I think it has something to do with a harmonic frequency that rears it's ugly head right at common freeway cruising speeds. Nothing wrong per say, just a characteristic of the engine. Of course, this vibration will be worse if the bike is in a poor state of tune as the others have said. Follow their advice and see if the situation improves. If it doesn't, it's most likely a characteristic, not a problem.
 
I drive a 550L, 650G, 850GL, & a 1100G. The 650 vibrates the most.
 
I have a GS550 and a GS650 Katana and the 650 vibrates between 5000 and 6000 rpm. It's most noticable at about 70mph on british motorways, therefore I avoid them and look for twisty roads!

Besides this small problem it runs perfectly and the valves and carbs are set up correctly.
 
I rode my GS650G 25K miles. NO significant vibration at any speed, under any load, in any gear.

If you have vibration, there is something wrong. Find it and fix it. Listen to tkent.
 
Nessism said:
No vibration? I think Dre and Skyboy would disagree with you... http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=130116
Click to expand...

Then there was/is something wrong with their bikes, too. I bought my GS650G new in 1983, and rode it 25K miles. It had no significant vibration under any combination of speed, engine load, gear, RPM or weight on the bike. There have been quite a few threads on GSR where other GS650G riders have excellent luck with their bikes.

If there is significant vibration, there is a problem. The problem might be minor, or it might be serious. Find the problem and fixt it!
 
Check compression. My 550 vibrates between 4-4.5K RPM and I did everything I could. I checked compression and found 15 psi difference between cyl #2 and the rest. I didn't check if the compression problem is due to rings or valves but I'm guessing there might be some valve seat wear. I've decided to live with it for now. I have a spare head which I've cleaned up but I don't have the tools to recondition the valve seats on it so right now its just sitting until the winter.
 
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