• Required reading for all forum users!!!

    Welcome!
    Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.

    A note to new registrants...
    All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.

    A Special Note about Email accounts!
    DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.

    A note to old forum members...
    I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.

    Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.

    Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...

  • Returning Visitors

    If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.

    If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.

New bike issues - '81 GS850L

  • Thread starter Thread starter T-ray
  • Start date Start date
T

T-ray

Guest
Did a quick once over last night on the bike I picked up monday. Here are the issues that my unexperienced eyes and ears picked out. Pics are below. I've also added some overall pics on the owners threads.

There's one, possibly 2 oil leaks. I know that one is the tach cable seal for sure. The possible other I'm not so sure about. If there is one, I'm thinking its the head gasket but hoping its the valve cover gasket. Seems to be coming from the center on the engine.
Need new exhaust gaskets where they connect to the head. 3 of the 4 are leaking. Previous owner stripped out one of the bolts on these. I see he has different bolts in there now so maybe if I use the ones meant for it it'll be ok.
When I let off on the throttle the exhaust pops and every once in a while the carb will pop.
The exhaust connections underneath are loose. I loosened the back support brackets and tightened the pipes together a bit and retightened the bracket, but it still needs work.
2 of the carburetor boots have been jimmy rigged using some sort of silicone...need to be replaced.
On the lighted gear indicator only gears 1&2 show up. Have to check the bulbs and wiring on that.
The speedometer needle is really bouncy...is this normal?
Any and all suggestions are welcome.
I've already placed an order for the tach seals(o-ring and seal), valve cover gasket and breather gasket, exhaust bolts, and some misc hardware that was missing.


Front left side. You can see oil puddling on the fins after letting it run.
picture.php


Here you can see the different exhaust bolts they put in. The one with the lock washer on the right is the one they stripped.
picture.php


The exhaust connection that needs to be tightened up somehow.
picture.php


Here's one of the cobbled boots and some more fresh oil back in there!
picture.php
 
Last edited:
Bouncy speedo is not normal. Try internally lubing the speedo cable that runs to it.
Popping could be caused by those Micky mouse intake boots. Replace all four now and clean the carbs while you at it.
If you clean and dry the oil leak area your unsure off then coat it with aerosol foot powder than run the bike the powder will pinpoint the source of the leak.
Welcome to the forums.
 
Another L :dancing: It looks like the PO should have used his 'skills' for other projects!:confused:
As mentioned...a full carb clean may be in order and to that I would suggest a valve set as I'm sure it is looooong over due. The gear shift lights are simple and I may even have a set, though I'll have to look to be sure.
Welcome to the GSR, you have found the right place as far as the bike is concerned. Basscliff will throw out the mat and provide you with more info than you can imagine and on the bright side, his collection of info is correct! ;)
 
chiphead said:
Bouncy speedo is not normal. Try internally lubing the speedo cable that runs to it.
Popping could be caused by those Micky mouse intake boots. Replace all four now and clean the carbs while you at it.
If you clean and dry the oil leak area your unsure off then coat it with aerosol foot powder than run the bike the powder will pinpoint the source of the leak.
Welcome to the forums.
Click to expand...

Ok, so I'm guessing those boots are the "intake pipes" on here, items 25&26? http://www.bikebandit.com/suzuki-motorcycle-gs850glx-1981/o/m6119

Those aren't cheap...
 
beware of partshark.

its not that they don't get the order to you, but it takes a long time (personally) for the parts to arrive. about 2 weeks. i would have rather spend the extra 5 bucks and got them in half the time from my suzuki dealer or z1 or bike bandit.

just my opinion

Hope this helps
 
Hi Mr. T-ray,

Yes, refer to the mega-welcome (<<<Click) where most of your issues are addressed. Check my website for pictorial guides to a lot of regular maintenance issues.

T-ray said:
There's one, possibly 2 oil leaks. I know that one is the tach cable seal for sure. The possible other I'm not so sure about. If there is one, I'm thinking its the head gasket but hoping its the valve cover gasket. Seems to be coming from the center on the engine.
Click to expand...

If your cam chain tensioner (that knob on the back of the engine between #2 and #3 cylinders) is leaking, the oil will weep all around the engine. I have this same issue and plan to fix it shortly.

Need new exhaust gaskets where they connect to the head. 3 of the 4 are leaking. Previous owner stripped out one of the bolts on these. I see he has different bolts in there now so maybe if I use the ones meant for it it'll be ok.
Click to expand...
Exhaust gaskets are not too hard to replace. The tricky part, as you have noticed, is getting the bolts off without doing more damage. Spray and soak with PB Blaster (or your favorite bolt loosener) for at least a couple of days to help get the bolts out.

When I let off on the throttle the exhaust pops and every once in a while the carb will pop.
Click to expand...
This sounds like a lean condition, possibly due to the bad intake boots (pipes). Also replace the intake O-rings, check the airbox-to-carb boots, and the airbox itself. There must be no leaks in the intake system. Use weatherstripping to seal the airbox and air filter cage assembly.

The exhaust connections underneath are loose. I loosened the back support brackets and tightened the pipes together a bit and retightened the bracket, but it still needs work.
Click to expand...
I can't really tell from the picture what's going on there. You may just need to take it to a shop and have it welded.

2 of the carburetor boots have been jimmy rigged using some sort of silicone...need to be replaced.
Click to expand...
I would recommend replacing all of the intake boots and O-rings. Then you don't have to worry about it for another 25 years.

On the lighted gear indicator only gears 1&2 show up. Have to check the bulbs and wiring on that.
Click to expand...
Good idea. Hopefully it's just dirty connections. Those are odd bulbs, but they can be found. Try the search feature because I don't think I have that info on my website yet, sorry. I'll add it when I find it. That question comes up periodically. Brian knows. Where are you Mr. bwringer? :)

The speedometer needle is really bouncy...is this normal?
Click to expand...
Try lubricating everything. Use a light household oil or WD40 if that's all you have. Lube the speedo cable. Remove the gauges from the bracket and turn them upside down so that you can put a few drops into the cable inputs and let it soak in. This works better than just spraying WD40 up in the holes. I've done this a few times to my gauges (every few months) and it helps every time.

Keep up the good work and keep us informed.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top