Sleeving the GS500 Cylinder Head

[cboling]

Calling all engine gurururus. I have a cylinder head sitting in my closet and as I was looking at it and other parts trying to decide if I wanted to do anything with them for my bike, the thought crossed my mind to see if the head could be sleeved to accept bigger pistons. I have no real knowledge of doing this sort of work on an engine so I am wondering if anyone has any tips. What pistons could be used, what information would I need for sleeves, etc...

thanks for any input as I am trying to decide how far I really want to go with this particular bike.

[Paulcet]

I don't think the head needs anything, but I'm not a gurururu.  Search for "555", as it has been done.

[cboling]

Thanks Paulcet. I have seen some of those posts before but will go back through and read them all. My curiosity is more of a "Should I bother" question than anything.

[jeremy_nash]

if you like the gs500, and wanna go faster on it, then of course its worth it     

[BaltimoreGS]

Has anyone here run a big bore kit for any length of time?  Just curious about durability.  Krustybeamer's GS had a big bore kit and broke the crankshaft after not too long.  Could have just been an unfortunate coincidence.

-Jessie

[Trwhouse]

Hi choling,
Actually, you are technically using the wrong names for the parts here. 
You can't re-sleeve a cylinder head because the cylinder head doesn't hold the cylinder sleeves.
The head is where the valves and combustion chambers are located and fits on top of the cylinders.
It's the cylinders themselves that one can have re-sleeved with larger cylinder liners with a larger bore.
And yes, it is possible, but it's a lot of work and money for not a lot more power.
Then you still have a GS500. And some think it may not be as reliable after a big bore kit.
I don't think it's worth it, but that's just my opinion.
Good luck,
Trwhouse