help me get my first bike running! (:

[subiedrake]

hello all! ive been wanting a bike for some time now so i decided i would go with a gs500e! mines a 92 with 25k miles. its in great shape however and i got it for 500$.

now here is where i need your help. the previous owner stated that it ran out of oil on the highway. now what he told me is that his "mechanic" said it was due to a gasket failure. and that is all. im in the middle of taking apart the whole bike to replace what is needed. so what i want is YOUR input on what you think i should be playing close attention. im not foriegn to working on my own vehicles, i own a subaru which i have done all my own work to. what i am thinking that needs replacing is all gaskets, engine bearings, and checking the crankshaft for severe wear. if anyone else has any ideas, im all ears!

[robfriedenberger]

  Out of oil is the only thing that can kill these bikes. The camshaft is known the fail when out of oil . The specs are tight and there are no over sized bearing unfortunately. I would pick some cheap oil (not car oil) and start it up listen for a knocking, and check the oil pressure light extinguishes . I wouldn't go digging in the motor unless you know that some thing is really broke.

Wish you the best!

[Gorilla]

subie,

Running out of oil is one of the worst, if not the worst, things that could happen to these bikes.

If it starts and turns that's a good sign. If it doesn't that is bad.

[BockinBboy]

See if it will turn by hand first.  Pull right side cover, use 19mm socket, and turn clockwise...

Suppose it won't matter much what it sounds like or if it turn or not though if you know the situation... Open her up and see what needs replaced.  My guess is you'll find it cheaper and easier to swap a used engine though 

- Bboy

[rexpepper651]

yeah everyones right check and see if it turns over by hand first. put in some oil  check compression if it does turn over. hopefully it didnt seize from the lack of oil and highway speeds.

[yappahgo]

You can also turn the engine without tools by putting the bike in the highest gear and walking it forward (no clutch). There will be some resistance to the compression but I was able to do it and I'm not that strong.

(unless... This is a bad idea for some reason? Maybe bad for the transmission?)

[yamahonkawazuki]

You can also turn the engine without tools by putting the bike in the highest gear and walking it forward (no clutch). There will be some resistance to the compression but I was able to do it and I'm not that strong.

(unless... This is a bad idea for some reason? Maybe bad for the transmission?)

not bad, and just remove the plugs. its fairly easy to push

[subiedrake]

thanks for all the responses guys! engine is not seized however how i was told i knocks, i have the motor out already so ill be taking it apart tomorrow. sad to hear that there are no oversized bearings.. that was my fall back plan.

[subiedrake]

update: did a quick compression test and im getting 35psi on both cylinders. now mind you this is hand turning while the motor is out of the bike. so i believe thats actually pretty good. also it turns over pretty smoothly and you can feel when you are on compression stroke. i have a feeling this guy might have not known what he was talking about. he was foriegn (or however you spell it) if that means anything.

[robfriedenberger]

Your right about about compression, usually the crank shaft and bearings is what get chewed up. Most people mistake the starter clutch knocking for the  crank shaft.

Crank shaft should get worse with rpm and the starter clutch should get better over 4k


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[subiedrake]

ah thats good to hear. thanks for your input. just gotta check out the bearings and hopefully the crank will be good enough to just buy new bearings.

[The Buddha]

ah thats good to hear. thanks for your input. just gotta check out the bearings and hopefully the crank will be good enough to just buy new bearings.

I really really really doubt this. I will not put an oil starved motor rebuilt and back in. You would never be sure what else has gone and when it will die. CB bearing, crank, rod, etc etc ... any of those left that you have missed can ruin your motor again.
BTW these bearings are not available in varying sizes like cars. You have to weld it up and turn it to original size. No one will do that to a GS, its $$$$ cos you're dealing with 10,000 ths of an inch, instead of 1000's like a car and you will plow more $$$ into the machinist than the whole bike is worth.

Look for another GS motor. $$$$ as that may seem, it would be cheaper in the long run.

Cool.
Buddha.

[robfriedenberger]

Just put some oil in it and fire it up


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[rotten]

thanks for all the responses guys! engine is not seized however how i was told i knocks, i have the motor out already so ill be taking it apart tomorrow. sad to hear that there are no oversized bearings.. that was my fall back plan.

You can have the the bearing caps line honed to larger size and the Cams hard chromed if light damage and welded ( if not hollow)  if major damage , but at that point you'll have more money than the bike is worth . Try and find another motor .

[subiedrake]

out of curiosity is anyone near los angeles california with a spare motor?

[Gorilla]

i would see if anyone is nearby in the other forum

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?board=2.0

[subiedrake]

yea i just put up a post looking for a motor. does anyone think its possible to just replace the crank and put new bearings and maybe mine will be ok?

[cbrfxr67]

yea i just put up a post looking for a motor. does anyone think its possible to just replace the crank and put new bearings and maybe mine will be ok?

whole lotta 'maybe' there,....the gs I picked up with engine like yours, was bagged and tagged cause po was going to do the same thing.  Thought about trying to fix that but went a different direction.  Personally I think prob better to find a good running engine.  Member Tombstone spent alot of time trying to get his running, replacing parts etc, and ended up just getting a donor engine after time and time again of working on his. Tomb's build

[BockinBboy]

Thought about trying to fix that but went a different direction.

Baha! Still trying to figure out that direction! 



- Bboy

[cbrfxr67]

haaa bock you so funny