There. I have changed my valves seals without removing the engine from the bike.

[Guest]

In December I asked a few questions about the valve-oil-seals. My bike is a GS1100GK.

Well they are done.

Those are now in my garage trash. Good riddance. Just by eyeball I could tell that seals they weren't. The Bike has over 100,000km.

There were request for pictures.

Hi Daniel,
If you can change the valve stem seals with the head still on the bike you will the second person to accomplish such a feat (that I know about) during the years I've been here. I wish you all the best. It CAN be done, but not without some fiddling and fabrication of some custom tools. Please post up some photos when you get busy so we all can learn.

Good luck.

The actual changing of the seals will be rather easy, compared to compressing the valve springs so you can move them out of the way to get to the seals.

Yes, please do take a LOT of pictures so you can write up a tutorial for the rest of us. :encouragement:

I will be pulling the cylinders anyway, as there is a bit of leakage at the base, so I won't need your tutorial this time around. :-\\\

.

My tool was inspired by one made by: bwringer 's http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?205362-Hillbilly-Valve-Spring-Compressor/page3


This an early version of my tool:

The bolts would bend and the socket would be at an angle that would make it slip.

The last version had a longer stiffer shaft that was drilled to add more places to insert the bolts (More angle choices).

The strapping is not touching the engine There are 2 aluminium washer in between.
Eventually the strapping also had more holes drilled into it to allow more choices.

Clearance isn't a real issue. I had to remove the fairing. The exhaust side of cylinder 2 and 3 were the more difficult ones.

Pulling the seals wasn't hard once I acquired long-nosed-vise-grips.

The very worst part was handling the retainers (Putting them back, removal was easy).


Conclusion:

I am glad it's done. I knew I could do it. From starting to undress the bike to valve completion took IDK something like 10 days.

It can be done if you have the soul of a red neck and the patience of Job (No, not Steve).

Do I recommend it? No. Not for the faint of heart

I would do one valve at the time. Do no other bike task.
My goal was to do 1 valve per garage session. On the whole that was the case.
There were a few retainer issues (Exhaust side of cylinder 2&3) where I decided to do another easier valve. Then finish the first one the next day.

A fresh head (The next day) seems to be needed to get those small !@#$% to cooperate.

Thanks for reading this.

Daniel

PS Now I rest my finger tips.
Next garage session will involve the cams going back in.

 

[Burque73]

That's really cool!

Next time on Redneck Wrench, changing tires without removing the wheel. heheheh

But seriously, that is good of you to persevere and git-er-done!

 

[Agemax]

i made a jig up for the 8v GS1000 head. after a bit of practice its about a 2 hour job to change all 8 valve guide seals without removing the head.

 

[Guest]

i made a jig up for the 8v GS1000 head. after a bit of practice its about a 2 hour job to change all 8 valve guide seals without removing the head.

I saw a few video on Youtube where the dealer-type-mechanic is using a jig-made-a-purpose on a German engine.
And a special retainer tool.

For a short while I sure wished I had one of each for this engine.

Daniel

 

[Guest]

i made a jig up for the 8v GS1000 head. after a bit of practice its about a 2 hour job to change all 8 valve guide seals without removing the head.

I saw a few video on Youtube where the dealer-type-mechanic is using a jig-made-a-purpose on a German engine.
And a special retainer tool.

For a short while I sure wished I had one of each for this engine.

Daniel

 

[chuck hahn]

Just wondering here, but with 100,000 on the clock why not yank the head to do the work and also clean the piston tops and the dome in the head. Also this would allow for removal of the valves and clean the carbon off them and lap the valves while youre at it. Not judging but just wondering why not go all in and refresh everything????

 

[Guest]

Just wondering here, but with 100,000 on the clock why not yank the head to do the work and also clean the piston tops and the dome in the head. Also this would allow for removal of the valves and clean the carbon off them and lap the valves while youre at it. Not judging but just wondering why not go all in and refresh everything????

Hi Chuck.

Several reasons.

The first is I never been that deep in the engine before.
It run strong.
The bolts holding the head together are so rusted they will snap off. Guaranteed.

As for refreshing the bike....The original clear as almost finished flaking giving edges of ...Yuck.
The paint beneath it ain't so hot either.
The frame has surface rust in all the welds.
All the covers need to be re-polished.
My carbs have oxidized really badly the last few years.

I do not shy from gravel. My last big trip was the Dempster and Alaska, Did over 2,000km of gravel and sand.
I am overdue for a trip. Planning the Trans-Labrador next summer.

It needs so much work to look good. Will not really run better for the like of me.


I paid $1,500cdn for it 10 years ago.
If I were to sell it now. I doubt I would get $1,000 for it.

Not worth it.

Not getting any younger either. I will not keep this bike for another 10 years or another 100,000km.
If I still ride in 10 years I see myself with a smaller bike. Not on this one.

And finally, honestly, I am not even sure I can still ride for long at all.

My hand are giving me a hard time. They hurt every day.

 

[chuck hahn]

I was talking about just refreshing the top end and I get it on the rest being not so showroom anymore. Ive got arthritis and maybe some other things wrong in my right hip. Sometimes as I lift my feet up to the pegs at a stop i get one heck of pinched pain thats almost like i just want to stand up for the charlie horse to go away. I also have a snapped tendon in my left hnd that works the ring finger so thats sometimes an issue wrenching and operating the clutch. Im just too stubborn and have vowed to get another 15 to 20 in before i throw the white flag.