Mechanical/restoration supervision sought

**psyguy** · 20th March 2007, 08:14

gs850 engine strip-rebuild-restoration

hi guys

my bike's been living for a while with a hope of being restored one day and i decided well why not me, so i have just started the project with the engine overhaul

now, the thing is that this is my first

so, i'm thinking i'm gonna need some help from people who have been there before, especially when it comes to the inspection/measurement of all the internal components and just general advice on how to go about restoring parts

as i'm new to auckland biking scene i'd like to meet other bikers
i myself like cruiser/touring bikes, especially older bikes ('70s & '80s)

so, i'd like to invite people to come over for a friendly biker chat and of course a bottle of courtesy beer or if you're out of here just comment on this thread as you please

PM me for details if you're keen, weekday or weekend, i'm in avondale, west auckland

i'll keep you posted on the progress

**Macktheknife** · 20th March 2007, 11:36

Originally Posted by psyguy

so, i'd like to invite people to come over for a friendly biker chat and of course a bottle of courtesy beer

PM me for details if you're keen, weekday or weekend, i'm in avondale, west auckland

BEER!!!!
Well in that case it would be rude not to!

Happy to help in any way I can mate, just let me know.

**crashe** · 20th March 2007, 11:43

Originally Posted by Macktheknife

BEER!!!!
Well in that case it would be rude not to!

Happy to help in any way I can mate, just let me know.

Cor blimey Mack...... you were quick off the mark.....

Originally Posted by psyguy

as i'm new to auckland biking scene i'd like to meet people who ride cruiser/touring bikes, especially older bikes ('70s & '80s)

There are a few cruiser riders out west...... me being one of them.
My bike isnt of the vintage you speak of thou.

**psyguy** · 20th March 2007, 18:57

just to make it clear people... anyone is welcome regardless of what you ride

, it's just my own preference - the older bikes i mean

**psyguy** · 20th March 2007, 19:26

here's few pics of today's work - just to show i'm serious...

**Max Preload** · 20th March 2007, 20:20

Is that a nut fucker I spy in photo #2?

**psyguy** · 20th March 2007, 20:23

sorry, what's a "nut fucker"?

**Ixion** · 20th March 2007, 21:01

There are those who deprecate the use of the adjustable or "Crescent" spanner. I find them useful m'self.

I am more into the two strokes of the era, but I might drop you a line sometime and peer into the innards of Petal's four stroke cousin. Though why you need all those cams and chains and valves and things going round n round n round n up n down n up n down n round n..

**psyguy** · 20th March 2007, 21:25

Originally Posted by Ixion

There are those who deprecate the use of the adjustable or "Crescent" spanner.

it's a funny story. i bought a 32 pce spanner set and got two spanners size 15 but no size 14!

... so when it came to a situation with a nut and a bolt size 14 i had to got for the adjustable spanner, so yeah they can be useful

**Ixion** · 20th March 2007, 21:36

Unfortunate, since 14mm is a common size. Keep an eye on your local Repco and Supercheap. Both of them from time to time have spanners cheap. Usually because some tealeaf has swiped a couple out of one of the sets, so, unable to sell the incomplete set, they sell the rest singly. Usually $1.50 or $2 each. Good value, and it is handy to have a few extra of common sizes.

A good socket set , though expensive , is a worthwhile investment.

**FROSTY:Me** · 20th March 2007, 21:57

a fellow westie --and he likes old shaft drive bikes. HMMM

**psyguy** · 21st March 2007, 20:27

another busy day at the office and the engine's all stripped and given a preliminary clean
i learnt a thing or two today, for example - when working on your bike DO NOT listen to your car stereo all day - it will bust your battery

SPECIAL THANKS to MackTheKnife for coming over and sharing experience and even giving me a hand!
mate, i hope the beer was to your taste!
cheers

Originally Posted by FROSTY

a fellow westie --and he likes old shaft drive bikes. HMMM

frosty, come over for a beer some time

**psyguy** · 23rd March 2007, 22:18

to keep you updated...

engine completely stripped
casings ready for vapour blasting and polishing
gaskets, oil seals, pistons and rings on order from the usa

with time passing things slowly slipping from memory and i find myself looking at certain parts and wondering what they might be and where they might fit

i'll need some luck putting everything back together, i think

**Ixion** · 23rd March 2007, 22:30

Parts fiche is the secret. Better for that purpose than a workshop manual.

If you don't have one try here

**Motu** · 23rd March 2007, 23:17

Originally Posted by psyguy

it's a funny story. i bought a 32 pce spanner set and got two spanners size 15 but no size 14!

... so when it came to a situation with a nut and a bolt size 14 i had to got for the adjustable spanner, so yeah they can be useful

Most likely an ISO or European set....14mm is not a common size.When anyone who works exclusively on Japanese bikes or cars works on anything non Japanese they cry foul with the oddball 11mm,13mm,15mm,18mm sizes.The ISO head sizes equate to the Imperial head sizes - 7/16 became 11mm,1/2 became 13mm....in the 3/8 bolt sizes which had 9/16 heads,ISO seems to prefer 15mm or 17mm.The Japanese don't do ISO....they have their own Imperialism.Work on Euro stuff long enough and you curse the bloody Japs instead.

Man,you are really moving along there,that's about 3 years progress for me!