My 1989 gs 500 has 54000 miles on the clock and is generally todyish for an old one , its a slingshot , it has a fairing. Sounds good, pulls well , uses a bit of oil and is great fun . I like the bike so after advice along the lines of servicing , which oil .. valae adjustment ( how do i know when that needs doing) and other high mileage related stuff ... the bike was loved by previous owner before being left for 2 years when they lost interest and it came to me cheap... Is it worth spending out on considering the above or should i hust change oil and ride until it goes pop and get a lower mileage one.... It also has a missing exhaust studd that blows a little but that aside its hard to fault mechanically ... its running smooth and strong as far as i can tell .. Advices apreciated
Put some semi synthetic oil in it and let it rip. GS engines are low performance engines, they last a very long time if looked after. With better oil, comes less wear and longer engine life.
You will know when the valves need doing, you will get a knocking sound in the engine on start up. That's when you know the valve's need doing.
You don't really hear about many GS's going "pop", unless they have been totally neglected.
Well thats pretty encouraging.. its got fully synthetic in it this once to clean it out and it seems to be riding better- smoother and more power after being thrashed about but I`m not going to wring its kneck most of the time , just ride reasonably quickly not on the red line ... I will listen out for a knocking on start up - would be useful to get a sound clip of that if anyone has one ... Hope i can keep the bike for some time then as it doesnt appear to have been totally neglected mechanically ... Cheers Crackin
As far as I know GS tappets tend to close up rather than widen with high mileage, so looking for startup noise might be a red herring. I would advise checking the clearances and if they are tight then re-shimming to give the maximum clearance, especially the exhausts.
Quote from: olosh on August 02, 2018, 03:56:12 AM
As far as I know GS tappets tend to close up rather than widen with high mileage, so looking for startup noise might be a red herring.
In my experience with the GS the valves do indeed close up. Thats because GS's like to stretch valves because of the extreme heat when you thrash the engine, even when you don't.
When i start my bike and i hear a knock, I know from experience it's under spec valve clearance.
I have my shims machined and the knock goes away for another 1500/2000 km's, but I ride my bike extremely hard.
Sometimes it will knock at idle and I will still thrash it for another 250/500 km's and it doesn;t bother it.
Fair enough, I bow to your experience. I know the sound of loose valves from other bikes but I wasn't aware that tight valves has a distinctive sound. Almost all my previous bikes have had lock-nut tappets so it was always easy to keep them in spec. Doesn't skimming the shims mess up the case hardening ? or is that not an issue ?
AFAIK nobody else on this forum machines their shims. We replace using Suzuki shims and keep things slightly looser than the factory spec.
As you engine gets into high miles it will consume a lot of oil so the most important thing will be to keep an eye on the oil level.
Quote from: olosh on August 02, 2018, 03:03:11 PMDoesn't skimming the shims mess up the case hardening ? or is that not an issue ?
It's a non issue.
I have been doing this to my shims for over two years and never had any problems. I actually learned the trick from my bike mechanic.
Quote from: Bluesmudge on August 02, 2018, 10:31:56 PM
AFAIK nobody else on this forum machines their shims. We replace using Suzuki shims and keep things slightly looser than the factory spec.
True indeed, but that doesn't mean it's bad practice.
I have an mot coming along in a couple of months so I will get the shims checked at that point if not before for peace of mind , I may do it myself if I am feeling brave ... I am careful about oil ... it does burn a bit , but not a huge amount - its very economical on the go juice so that is liveable with . I think the suspension has been upgraded at some point as well because it is not soft or wallowy as some describe , i find it comfortable but sharp enough in the twisty bits- it may be that i simply have no comparison but the suspension seems good. Thanks for your advice , I will be back for more when i have to tackle the exhaust bolts. One has snapped off and while its not an issue now , it is gradually leaking a little as time goes along ! Hopefully this stuff can be left until the cooler wetter winter weather when i wont be as keen to ride- right now i just want to enjoy the weather when health allows... Thanks all