Mechanical/restoration supervision sought

**pete376403** · 25th April 2007, 15:39

As far as setting valve clearances goes, being able to do them with the head on the bench is one of the greatest advantages of an OHC (or DOHC) engine.

Do you have the Suzuki tools for pushing the buckets down so you can get the shim out without pulling the cams? I have a couple, and will send them up with the manual. Send them back when you've finished.

**pete376403** · 25th April 2007, 15:51

Originally Posted by psyguy

also had a guy in singapore! (off ebay) tell me he had some but they turned out to be pistons for a gs425
interestingly, the 13 digit part number was nearly the same:
gs850: 12111-45100-100
gs425: 12111-45110-100

425 twin = 850 four? could the seller tell you the diameter of the pistons?

The 400/425/450/500 twins were essentially half of a four cylinder engine .
BTW the MTC pistons I've got won't suit - the GS1000L they came from was bored out to 1100 (and was quite the goer until it was until the previous owner rode it into the back of a stopped car). I bought the wreck for parts so if there are other bits you are after I might be able to help

**psyguy** · 25th April 2007, 17:16

Originally Posted by pete376403

425 twin = 850 four?

yeah, that's what i figured too, but then i asked the all knowing guys at gs-resources, and learnt the pistons are a different diameter...

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=107378
but thanks for the thought!

**psyguy** · 25th April 2007, 17:24

Originally Posted by pete376403

Do you have the Suzuki tools for pushing the buckets down so you can get the shim out without pulling the cams? I have a couple, and will send them up with the manual. Send them back when you've finished.

pete376403 you're a legend!
i was about to post a question if someone's got the tool!
thanks a bunch

**psyguy** · 25th April 2007, 17:31

Originally Posted by pete376403

GS1000L I bought the wreck for parts so if there are other bits you are after I might be able to help

thanks, but uh, it's hard to know what bits might be the same...

airbox rubber hoses?
looking at the schematics on the web, i'd say they're different

valve shims?
i'm after 2.40 and 2.45mm

m10 engine mounting lock-nut?

cylinder head half-round oil plug?

head m6 bolts (2 of) that go on the out-sides (bolts with a flange hex head)?

seat hand-rail rubber groomets?

front footrests with really good rubber?

clutch lever (black)?

headlamp unit with good reflection surface?! (mine is peeling off)
i guess this part wouldnt've survived that crash!

4into2 headers?

that's what i can think of, of the top of my head... not a bad memory, ay?!

would you have any photos of the bike?
that might be a good starting point for the comparison
what's the mileage on that bike?

**pete376403** · 25th April 2007, 21:30

Originally Posted by psyguy

thanks, but uh, it's hard to know what bits might be the same...
airbox rubber hoses?
looking at the schematics on the web, i'd say they're different
valve shims?
i'm after 2.40 and 2.45mm
m10 engine mounting lock-nut?
cylinder head half-round oil plug?
head m6 bolts (2 of) that go on the out-sides (bolts with a flange hex head)?
seat hand-rail rubber groomets?
front footrests with really good rubber?
clutch lever (black)?
headlamp unit with good reflection surface?! (mine is peeling off)
i guess this part wouldnt've survived that crash!
4into2 headers?
that's what i can think of, of the top of my head... not a bad memory, ay?!
would you have any photos of the bike?
that might be a good starting point for the comparison
what's the mileage on that bike?

Mileage was 65K when it hit the back of a stopped car. Right up to that moment it was travelling about 80 -90kmh. So, the healight, forks, instruments are pretty mangled. The tank has a big dent where the rider nutted it. The frame is a lot shorter than it used to be and the steering head angle is a LOT steeper. The front wheel flattened the header pipes, yet remarkably the wheel is perfectly round. I even re-used the tire (risky, I know). Airbox to carb hoses - CV or slide carbs? These are slide type.
Can do 2.39 and 2.55 shims - there's a bit of latitude, or may be a problem with my micrometer/eyesight . Have the half round rubber (end of camshaft recess). Footrests with good rubber, ditto for pillion rests. Clutch lever ad bolts/nuts - probably in the box. 1000L didn't have pillion grab rail so not rubber inserts for that.

**psyguy** · 26th April 2007, 19:10

Originally Posted by pete376403

Airbox to carb hoses - CV or slide carbs? These are slide type.
Can do 2.39 and 2.55 shims - there's a bit of latitude, or may be a problem with my micrometer/eyesight . Have the half round rubber (end of camshaft recess). Footrests with good rubber, ditto for pillion rests. Clutch lever ad bolts/nuts - probably in the box. 1000L didn't have pillion grab rail so not rubber inserts for that.

huh, i think mine are cv carbs

so, i'd be interested in:

M12 lock-nut (sorry, not m10 as i said earlier)
two M6x50 bolts (with flanged hex head)
one halfround oil seal
clutch lever
two 2.40mm shims

cheers

**classic zed** · 26th April 2007, 20:01

The GS is looking really good from the pics.

I finally found time to get the mixture right and balance the carbs on the Z so I have an excuse to take her out for a ride, I will come over and have a look

**psyguy** · 26th April 2007, 21:56

Originally Posted by classic zed

The GS is looking really good from the pics.

I finally found time to get the mixture right and balance the carbs on the Z so I have an excuse to take her out for a ride, I will come over and have a look

sweet as!

and i won't miss the oportunity to pick your brain on setting the carbs as that's in line for me too

**psyguy** · 27th April 2007, 20:24

got the side covers and engine bars back from the polishers today

work done by the "progressive polishers" new lynn
as you can see i can recomend them
polished alu side covers are close to being as shiny as those chromed bars

**jonbuoy** · 27th April 2007, 21:00

Wow, how much was that to get done?

**psyguy** · 27th April 2007, 21:48

Originally Posted by jonbuoy

Wow, how much was that to get done?

alu covers polished $300
bars chromed $100
all parts were in quite a bad shape before (i realize now)

i tried polishing a part myself but got nowhere near this finish - "autosol" for example is a way too coarse a paste and leaves marks, that finest "steel wool -0000" gives only a matt finish, and a regular polishing wheel i have just can't take enough of the oxidation off... not to mention the frustration of not getting the desired result...

**jonbuoy** · 28th April 2007, 09:56

Originally Posted by psyguy

alu covers polished $300
bars chromed $100
all parts were in quite a bad shape before (i realize now)

i tried polishing a part myself but got nowhere near this finish - "autosol" for example is a way too coarse a paste and leaves marks, that finest "steel wool -0000" gives only a matt finish, and a regular polishing wheel i have just can't take enough of the oxidation off... not to mention the frustration of not getting the desired result...

I can imagine how long it would take me to get that mirror finish, looks fantastic. Not too bad a price considering how fiddley they are.