New project Bike

[Guest]

Hoping to restore this and just get it running. 1980 GS850GL I believe.A lot of work, in rough shape. Apparently it has a leaking head gasket from what the PO said. Last night one of the exhaust bolts broke off flush, the rest came out without issue. It has a rusty gas tank, with a half inch hole. No battery. When the time comes I’ll just throw in a new stator and upgrade the R/R. I have to start acquiring certain tools to do the head gasket properly (I already have a good amount of tools) . The outside of the engine looks very rough from all the corrosion. I’ll try and post more pictures later.
C3AF92E1-5198-4936-BC5C-EF0DA82245DA

 

[RustyTank]

Hello BlackThunder. Can you add a little detail to your post? At the very least Model/Year?
I know what the model is only because I've read your other posts regarding the tank. But other folks may not know.
I feel like it's just good form to add a bit of detail in your post. Maybe I'm wrong

 

[Rob S.]

Put it in the signature and you'll never have to do it again.

 

[Buffalo Bill]

Looks like a 850G?

 

[Guest]

Also when I drained the oil. It had a bunch on dirt or something in the oil filter area. It kind of looks like coffee grinds and they were all over the oil filter. Not sure if it was just the oil filter deteriorating or what...

 

[RustyTank]

1980 GS850GL I believe.

Your bike is a GS850G. A GL has more of a chopper look to it. Just google the GS850GL and you'll see what I mean.

Last night one of the exhaust bolts broke off flush, the rest came out without issue.

Ouch! Sorry bout that. There are plenty of guys on here that can help with advice on how to get that bolt out, if ya need it.

It has a rusty gas tank, with a half inch hole.

I saw your other post specifically about the tank. Have you had any luck sourcing one? They're out there for sure. You can also post in the parts wanted section of this forum.

When the time comes I’ll just throw in a new stator and upgrade the R/R.

A series R/R is recommended. The Shindingen SH775 is very popular among folks in this forum.

 

[Guest]

I had an SH775 On my old GS850GL. With the help of my friend we installed everything and it should have been charging great, but after opening the stator cover It was fried so it wouldn?t charge anyway. Still confident we did the R/R mod correct though.

what do you think about the dirty, coffee ground particles in the oil filter area? I?m hoping that it?s just particles from the oil filter sitting in there for so long

 

[oldGSfan]

It is the Suzuki version of the Indonesian coffee delicacy Kopi luwak - partially digested coffee beans. Brew some up, they are tasty!

But seriously folks, I'd take a bit of that and do a between the fingers and see if it's gritty test. Kind of tough to diagnose remotely. I'd probably also take the oil pan off and have a look-see.

I had an SH775 On my old GS850GL. With the help of my friend we installed everything and it should have been charging great, but after opening the stator cover It was fried so it wouldn’t charge anyway. Still confident we did the R/R mod correct though.

what do you think about the dirty, coffee ground particles in the oil filter area? I’m hoping that it’s just particles from the oil filter sitting in there for so long

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Also when I drained the oil. It had a bunch on dirt or something in the oil filter area. It kind of looks like coffee grinds and they were all over the oil filter. Not sure if it was just the oil filter deteriorating or what...

This could be bits of either of the front or rear cam chain guide highlighted in the pic below. When you have the valve cover off to check valve clearance (you've done this, right?) you can see the tops of these only as they go all the way down into the top engine case. You might be able to see if either has been chewed by the can chain (bad sign)

 

[RustyTank]

You might be able to see if either has been chewed by the can chain (bad sign)

Ok, I'll be the one to ask. Why is this a bad sign Rich?

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Rusty.I'm certainly not to most experienced in this, but if the chain is slapping the chain guides to chew chunk off of it, I would think that that COULD mean there are other un-forseen issues: Maybe the tensionser isn't working as it should. This is a easy rebuild, but does take time ordering parts, tearing more apart that you thought you had to, researching the rebuild process (It's on BikeCliff's), putting everything back together. Maybe a cam jumped a tooth somehow and caused some damage other than just throwing off the timing. I'm sure the plastic bits in there, if that's what they are, could have other implications that I am unaware of. I think David won't know until he takes the cover off and takes a look, but that look may not reveal everything that's going on or has gone one in the engine.

 

[RustyTank]

Rusty.I'm certainly not to most experienced in this, but if the chain is slapping the chain guides to chew chunk off of it, I would think that that COULD mean there are other un-forseen issues: Maybe the tensionser isn't working as it should. This is a easy rebuild, but does take time ordering parts, tearing more apart that you thought you had to, researching the rebuild process (It's on BikeCliff's), putting everything back together. Maybe a cam jumped a tooth somehow and caused some damage other than just throwing off the timing. I'm sure the plastic bits in there, if that's what they are, could have other implications that I am unaware of. I think David won't know until he takes the cover off and takes a look, but that look may not reveal everything that's going on or has gone one in the engine.

Awesome, full answer. Thanks Rich

 

[Guest]

So I looked inside the stator cover. Also same stuff, I?ll post the pictures in a bit. It looks like a fine cut tobacco

 

[Grimly]

Bits of clutch fibre.
My oil strainer was nearly clogged with it.
You need to drop the sump and clean the strainer, else the engine will go terminal.

 

[Guest]

IMG_0215 by David Torres, on IMG_0228 by David Torres, on IMG_0226 by David Torres, on IMG_0217 by David Torres, on Flickr

 

[Guest]

Bits of clutch fibre.
My oil strainer was nearly clogged with it.
You need to drop the sump and clean the strainer, else the engine will go terminal.

Is there any way I can check if the engine isn't already terminal? It wasn't running and didn't come with a battery. I paid $100

 

[Guest]

Hey guys, just checking if anyone can chime in on what they think the culprit is in the pictures I posted. Bits of clutch in the oil, or the bits of the cam chain guides in the oil? Also if it ends up being the clutch, I'm gonna have to drop the sump and clean the strainer like grimly said. Is there a thread I can follow to reference that.

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Have you tried to spin the engine with a 19mm socket on the right end of the crank shaft, so you at least know that the motor turns? You have to take the signal generator generator cover off first. Take the spark plugs out and put a finger over each hole, in turn, as you turn the crank. Standing at the right side of the bike, be sure to only turn the engine clockwise. You should feel suction, alternating with air blowing your finger off the spark plug hole as you turn the crank. If no go, decide if you want to go any further, a full tear down is in your future. If the engine spins, and you have compression, carry on.

My best guess on the foreign substance, after seeing the pics, agree with Grimly, looks like maybe clutch drive plate friction material. Since you’ve already drained the oil, go ahead and take the clutch cover off and look at the plates, that will tell you. Also agree with dropping the oil pan and cleaning the oil pump strainer.

 

[Grimly]

Yep, and even if the strainer turns out to be clear, at least you KNOW it's clear, and needn't worry about it.
Honestly, I was quite surprised at the amount of muck trapped in mine, as the engine hadn't given the slightest sign of trouble, but if I'd left it for another year or two, it might have been a write-off.

 

[Guest]

The motor turns. The right side spark plug holes have suction, the Left side it?s hard to tell if it has good suction, not sure if my finger was covering the hole that great. But they still blow air out. Also the inside of the clutch cover is nasty and the same as the oil filter area.