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Trying to identify part names and lingo

  • Thread starter Thread starter nboka44
  • Start date Start date
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nboka44

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Hi all,

I purchased my first motorcycle this summer - an 82 GS650GLZ with 17K miles on it. It's got a lot of work that needs done on it. As I read these posts, I get lost very easily trying to figure out what parts everyone is talking about (i.e. "airbox" which after about 20 minutes of browsing around I figured out it's talking about the black airbox behind the carburetors). I'd like to fix and then ride my motorcycle within the next decade, so I was wondering if there's a better way to go about determining what something is called, or what part someone is talking about. Most of the posts and articles I read sound super helpful, but they assume the reader knows the names of parts and knows motorcycle lingo in general. How do I get around to learning this stuff?
 
Great advice there. Also when you have a free minute check out the "what did you wrench on today?" thread. Its a recurring thread in which every aspect of GSs imaginable has been discussed and worked on, often with pictures.
 
bonanzadave said:
We have a member here with a little GS website that includes a section labeled READ ME. I suggest reading it.....

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/
Click to expand...

Oh believe me... I've been there, and that's the primary source of part names and lingo that I do not have a knowledge of. I've been to that site, his mega-welcome, other links listed on those sites, but EVERYTHING assumes an understanding of motorcycle part names/nomenclature/whatever. I'm not looking for a how-to repair this on my motorcycle link, I'm looking for some means to LEARN MOTORCYCLE VOCABULARY and part names that members are referencing in the forums and in these sites, so that I can understand those how to repair this on my motorcycle links.

It's posted all over the forum to read and search out previous posts so as to avoid asking questions that have already been answered - I get it. I don't want to be that guy lazily cluttering up this site, and I've learned how to use the advanced search feature thanks to Mr. Bikecliff. I haven't found anything that provides any resource for figuring out what a part is called other than using fiches, which seem to be a little ambiguous at times. I've been to a few of those. Is that what I should be using? Is that what you're prompting me to check out?
 
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dorkburger said:
Great advice there. Also when you have a free minute check out the "what did you wrench on today?" thread. Its a recurring thread in which every aspect of GSs imaginable has been discussed and worked on, often with pictures.
Click to expand...

Thank you, that's the sort of advice I'm looking for. Is there anything other than fiches to help me determine what a part is called, or is that the best means?
 
steve murdoch said:
Here is a Dictionary of motorcycle terms.
http://www.cmsnl.com/about/glossary/
Click to expand...
While some of the terms in that list might be accurate (or, at least, close), there are also many that are just plain wrong.

There are also many terms that I have never heard. The spelling of some words tells me that list is probably European in origin, which might explain some of the differences.

There are also enough spelling errors that I had to give up. I struggled to make it through "B". :oops:

.
 
Thanks guys. I doubt I'll need to know things like a "california roll" or "thrashing it", but I learned what part the caliper is in the brake system (it's that bad guys... I'm no mechanic 8D)! Good stuff.
 
Do not expect to learn this ALL over night or even in 1 year.
The best way is to continue reading, and do some wrenching on your bike.
Over time you will accumulate knowledge and KNOW the correct terminology (even alternates)
I have been working on bikes fairly diligently for the past 5-6 years as a hobby and feel a reasonably competent wrench -
But others here are WAY more qualified than I .
This forum is all the collected information and tribal knowledge about the GS series bikes.
Stay close and learn
 
Try this: http://www.dansmc.com/mc_repaircourse.htm

The guy who writes it is a little wacky but the information is pretty good. There are lots of pictures. Its where I picked up most of the terminology related to motorcycle maintenance. There's still some stuff that's somewhat specific to our little community (e.g., the black box that controls your ignition is an ignitor, not a CDI), but you'll pick it up as you go along.

Also I recommend reading your Suzuki service manual cover to cover. We try to use the same terminology that Suzuki does so that there's less room for confusion. The manual doesn't have a glossary and doesn't always explain what something is called but you can usually figure it out from the picture or from context.
 
As stated, read, read and read some more. It does take some time to catch on to the terms used. However, if you want to know what certain thingamabob is....just ask, that's why this site is here.

We won't laugh.......to much. :)
 
It just takes some time. I'll bet no one here remembers how or where they learned what a caliper is. Just keep reading and you'll figure it out in less time than you think. And don't be afraid to ask questions or google a term.
 
Not sure I would worry to much about it. I've been riding for around 35 years. I took a look at the glossary and I haven't heard a tenth of some of the terms they listed. Not something I would lose sleep over. Spend more time riding and swapping riding lies eerrr....um stories that is lol.
 
You could also spend time with a GS member close by you to be shown the information you want. One person close by you is Storm64; send him a PM and see if he can help.

Alternatively, come southwest to the Dayton area where you'll find a few of us who can help you
 
Another quick think to do is if you hear of a part you are unsure of(say carburator diaphram) just hop on ebay and search (82 suzuki GL carb diaphram) you will find results from new to used junk.
Always beware many e Bay sellers label parts wrong. Wrong year or model.
But you will get a visual of the actual part you are looking to know more about and get a feel for costs, conditions and what's what.
Just another place to look at parts :)
 
Just ask. The nice guys will tell you, the others will lecture you.

May as well get used to that on this site.
 
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