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To Rebuild or Not Rebuild

  • Thread starter Thread starter KJL316
  • Start date Start date
K

KJL316

Guest
First, it's a 1978 GS550 with ~140,000 on the odometer (probably more). It has no problems starting and running all day (now that I have chased down all the electrical gremlins). It sat for almost 20 years in my father's garage with nothing done to it before parking it. I got extremely lucky with getting it running again by:

new plugs
oil & filter
battery
points & condensers (I've since switched to a Dyna replacement kit)
new chain
fork seals
new tires
removed the carbs and the local motorcycle shop left them soaking in cleaner overnight

The gas in the tank was nasty but thankfully was pre-ethanol and easily cleaned out.

After all that it started and runs great!

I have since rewired it, replaced the coils, stator, and the clutch pushrod seal (it was fine until I decided to get fancy and crimp on the chain instead of using the clip!)

The only problem now is that the engine looks horrible and some of the seals are seeping. It smokes a little when I first start it but that doesn't last. As I say to my friends, it doesn't guzzle oil, it just sips it - I added maybe a quart/quart and a half over this last summer.

My questions are:

Should I rebuild the carbs?
I have been removing them and spraying carb cleaner (usually the whole can) in them about once a year. Also, I treat every tank of gas with motorcycle fuel treatment. I cannot tell if there are any problems but, obviously, they are 40 years old with nothing done to them other than cleaning.

AND

Should I rebuild the engine?
I have never rebuilt an engine before but I think I am capable - I did completely dissassemble the bike (down to bare frame) to clean up surface rust, repaint and rewire.

So, is this "if it ain't broke don't fix it" or tear it down and rebuild it? Thanks everyone for your comments!

For the mods, sorry, part of this should be in Carb/Fuel/Exhaust. Should I post it there also or just leave it as is?
 
Last edited:
Well, you don't rebuild carbs, you just clean them, replace the O rings and confirm all of the settings.

As for rebuilding the engine, I'd confirm what seals are leaking and replace them if possible. Common leaks are:
Valve cover gasket and half moons
camchain tensioner
Tach drive

Give the motor a good scrubbing and/or soda blasting to clean it up.

If the compression is still good, I'd check the valve clearances and ride
 
If it ain't broke...

I agree with the earlier posters, maybe change a few seals, get your feet wet with the valve adjustment, and go from there.
 
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