Should i "rebuild the motor?"

[GabrielGoes]

Guys i had another electrical mishap and now my bike is almost totally taken apart.. once i take the harness out to repair it theres pretty much going to be nothing in the way i was seriously considering putting in this kit http://www.bikebandit.com/athena-complete-engine-gasket-kit?mg=3641&t=1&td=1 from bike bandit...

My bike's speedo says around 16k miles i bought it at 9k but its a non-matching speedo so for all i know it has 50k miles on it, it dont leak too bad but it is sweating oil out of the head gaskets and its pretty messy looking. I have it in my garage now so im in no rush really.. i have the service manual as well, the bike runs pretty unpredictable one week its really spot on and then it starts running lean and starts to pop here and there. i just feel like it needs it. Am i just an ambitious idiot? should i just do a valve adjustment and call it even? it really doesnt seem like a hard job considering i have time on my hands, i really want it to be tip top shape for summer because i am not going to get off the thing

 

[cowboyup3371]

Gabriel, I won't say whether you should or not but go READ through all of the threads that discuss this brand of gaskets. They all say Athenas are mostly crap.

 

[GabrielGoes]

Gabriel, I won't say whether you should or not but go READ through all of the threads that discuss this brand of gaskets. They all say Athenas are mostly crap.

hm i know oem is the best by far but just one head gasket alone is about 80 dollars i cant find any other company that sells kits.. maybe i should just order the gaskets seperatly oem style

 

[cowboyup3371]

Do a search on this site man. There are tons of threads talking about this very subject as I found earlier when someone else started talking about rebuilding his engine (this afternoon)

 

[GabrielGoes]

Do a search on this site man. There are tons of threads talking about this very subject as I found earlier when someone else started talking about rebuilding his engine (this afternoon)

ur right, i will

 

[bobthebiker88]

it sounds like you need to do some routine maintenance. if compression is within the limits, and there is no mechanica failure, such as rattling of spun bearings or the like, leave it be.

what you SHOULD do however, is adjust your valves, clean the fuel tap, as well as carbs, synch said carbs(after adjusting valves) inspect the carb boots on both sides of the carbs for cracking/leaks and replace as needed, new intake O rings wouldnt hurt either I bet.

in all this is a rather simple and quick fix at reasonable cost.

 

[sachsaca]

I'm no mechanic, but do the maintenance. No air leaks, boots, air box, clean filter, good fuel, carbs clean and the biggie valves adjust those suckers as a memeber on the site went thru a series of issues untill he did that. Even with an engine rebuild with the other possible issues it won't matter.

 

[Mop Bucket]

I am not for or against rebuilding but the thought has crossed my mind. I also found this on ebay for my bike and looks like they have it for most other period bikes. Didn't know if it is worth trying or if they are crappy oem substitues.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...0400915381&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

[Texas Don]

I would pay particular heed to the advice of some of the knowledgeable members about gaskets. OEM gaskets are pricey but you only suffer once. If the Athena gaskets fail (and it appears almost certain that they will) then you get to do it all over again plus purchase the OEM gasket like you perhaps should have done to begin with.
I'm in the process of tearing my GS1000 down for the same reason that you speak of. Oil leaks that were trashing my floor and sliming the front of the bike big time. There is no way to repair that problem without pulling the head and the cylinders. I found that the PO had used a paper head gasket, aftermarket O-rings and some kind of rubber sealant around the oil ports and the chain galley. The additional small items that I'm finding have validated my decision to tear down and rebuild. So far I have found 2 missing and 1 incorrect sealing washers on the head studs. The above gasket issues. Missing thrust washers on the starter gear. No O-rings at all on the cylinders. Some sort of rubbery, black form-a-gasket mess from hell that can only be removed with carb cleaner, during a full moon while wearing a thong.
Tear down and rebuild. You won't regret it.
Don

 

[bwringer]

The OEM Suzuki gasket set appears to be available for just under $200. Look on the second "OPTIONAL" fiche at any vendor besides BikeBandit. Part #11401-45818.

This is a far, far better deal that that crappy incomplete Athena kit for $76 - $100 shipped.

Poor quality aside, the aftermarket kits are very incomplete -- depending how far in you go, you'll still need to order dozens of missing bits from Suzuki. The OEM kits include EVERY gasket, sealing washer and o-ring in the engine (they do not include any of the crank/transmission seals).

 

[Tom R]

I've used the athena kit when I put a new third gear on my gs1100 5 or 6 years and about 9000 miles ago, and haven't had any related problems to date. It was a good bit cheaper than $100 though.
I can't remember if I used their head gasket or not - It may have been a fiber gasket in the kit - but I know I put a steel shim gasket on the bike.

 

[Smokinapankake]

When I was looking for a gasket kit for my 82 Katana, I talked with Jef at Z-1 enterprises. He searched and searched until he found a Vesrah kit. It was complete except the valve cover gasket was the wrong one.
It's been holding up well so far, but I don't have more than 100 miles on it - bike was never registered last summer and now that winter's here, well, you know how it goes.

 

[Steve]

Should i "rebuild the motor?"

Why do you ask about the "motor", then describe all the problems you are having with the "engine"? :-k

If you decide to replace the gaskets in the "engine", why not go ahead and rebuild the "motor", too.

Most times, all it needs is a good cleaning and maybe a set of brushes.





(The STARTER is the only "motor" on your bike.)


.

 

[GabrielGoes]

Why do you ask about the "motor", then describe all the problems you are having with the "engine"? :-k

If you decide to replace the gaskets in the "engine", why not go ahead and rebuild the "motor", too.

Most times, all it needs is a good cleaning and maybe a set of brushes.





(The STARTER is the only "motor" on your bike.)


.

i have lots to learn im not gonna lie lol... Messy looknig motor especially the front, sweating oil all over the place, i do not know how many miles are on the bike, maybe its just the really cold weather but it just started backfiring pretty badly out of no where, what really gets me is that i dont know how many miles are on it all i know is that i put about 6 thousand miles on it

 

[ratznfragn]

I think Steve is pointing out "motors" are electric,"engines" run on petroleum products!(I know,I know,it's splitting hairs!)

 

[hampshirehog]

I think Steve is pointing out "motors" are electric,"engines" run on petroleum products!(I know,I know,it's splitting hairs!)

Motorcycle, motor car, search engine. I don't think it matters what you call your motor / engine (as long as it's not Harley.....).

 

[Dogma]

"Motor" is a "machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion".

"Engine" is a "motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work".

So, an engine is a special kind of motor. Thus, there are two motors on your bike. One may also be called an engine. Saying "motor" instead of "engine" does sort of mark you as a mechanical noob, though. Everywhere I've been, anyway.

Now who can tell me the difference between a screw and a bolt? There is a difference.

Back on topic: I don't think a rebuild is necessary until some testing indicates a particular problem inside. Adjust the valves, check compression, maybe even cam timing. If all that is good, why open it?

 

[Guest]

It sounds like your engine is covered with oil. Start by cleaning it. Get a can of degreaser spray from the car parts store. Warm the bike engine up, spray it, ride it to a car wash, and blast the oil off.

After that, look at it each time you ride to find where the oil is coming from. You might have a serious leak that requires a rebuild. It is more likely that your valve cover is leaning, or the tachometer take-off. Fixing the leak might be as simple as tightening a few bolts, and not require any parts at all.

And do the complete tune-up.

 

[Steve]

Now who can tell me the difference between a screw and a bolt? There is a difference.

From what I have heard, first you screw, then you bolt (for the door) when her husband comes home.

.

 

[schlyme]

well i have a similar issue with my 81 gs1100e, as far as sweating oil to the point that after a 50 mile ride, my left pant leg is oil stained. but so long as i keep her topped off she still runs and runs hard the only reason i stopped riding her is she leaking out the anti-dive valve. but thanks for starting this thread. i'm learning alot about gaskets