78' GS550 project.

[7981GS]

Way too much effort! The absolute easiest way to remove and install engines in these bikes, I have done a dozen or so,
is to place a jack with a board under the oil pan between the frame and a board just over the height of the frame outside
and walk the engine over by rocking it side to side.

Dropping the engine on the floor and lifting the frame is for the birds.

BTDT.

Daniel

 

[Guest]

Haha, I was just about to post a link to your option Daniel. But you beat me to it. If he has a table lift then this might be a better option.

BTW, shoot me a link to how you got that engine so clean it would take paint. That engine is so nice.

Sci85

 

[brslk]

I didn't get anything done on the bike today because the wife cooked a nice ham and I stuffed myself like a pig and feel sluggish.
I should probably spend a little more time inside the house with wifey anyway.

I did manage to pick up a drain pan.

and some sockets I was told I will need. I have tons of tools but nothing over 18 mm. I do now.

I was also looking at the carbs sitting on the bench and noticed the two center carbs are not connected like the others.
Should they be? (sorry for the blurry pic)

I suppose I will find out when I get around to rebuilding them.

I don't go back to work until the third so I am hoping to get a lot done by then.

Bruce.

 

[brslk]

Way too much effort! The absolute easiest way to remove and install engines in these bikes, I have done a dozen or so,
is to place a jack with a board under the oil pan between the frame and a board just over the height of the frame outside
and walk the engine over by rocking it side to side.

Dropping the engine on the floor and lifting the frame is for the birds.

BTDT.

Daniel

Thanks Daniel,
I may just go this route.

This way would work better for my situation I think + I could do it without moving the bike.
I'd rather not remove the wheels until the engine is out.

Bruce.

 

[Redneck]

Not sure about the bracket on the seat rails but this one is a bendable clamp to hold the electrical wiring in place and is actually very handy. I would leave that one or any like it if I were you, you may find them useful later.

Paul

 

[brslk]

Tonight was interesting if not overly productive.

These pics are a little blurry but This bike has obviously been raced at one point or did they all come with holes drilled for safety wiring?

I also wonder if these have been welded in by a PO. The pipe is different than the rest of the frame and the welds are horrible.

In other news, I drained the oil that was about as black as when it was pulled from the ground. And yes, I did drop the drain plug in there.

I removed the rusty greasy chain that I was going to soak in kerosene and re-use but the sprockets are in such rough shape I will replace all three.

I also removed the starter cover that was horribly rusted. I didn't take any before pics but here is after about 5 mins with a wire wheel on the grinder.

I have never used this as much as I have on this build. I don't know how I would get by without it.

 

[brslk]

I also fooled around for about 5 minutes to see how the wheels will polish up. Looks like with some effort they will be cool.

And as she sits tonight...

Thanks for looking,

Bruce.

 

[brslk]

Not sure about the bracket on the seat rails but this one is a bendable clamp to hold the electrical wiring in place and is actually very handy. I would leave that one or any like it if I were you, you may find them useful later.

Paul

Thanks Paul but I was referring to the thing in the center of the pic. I will however be keeping the wire hook thingys.

Bruce.

 

[GateKeeper]

Moving along very quickly.....good job

Those rims will look good once they are cleaned up, I hope the spokes will come out just as good, if not you can paint them, or get them dipped and electroplated, or get new ones as a last resort

 

[7981GS]

Thanks Paul but I was referring to the thing in the center of the pic. I will however be keeping the wire hook thingys.

Bruce.

The horn mount?

Daniel

 

[brslk]

Moving along very quickly.....good job

Those rims will look good once they are cleaned up, I hope the spokes will come out just as good, if not you can paint them, or get them dipped and electroplated, or get new ones as a last resort

I did try to clean up the spokes but they are a bit too corroded to polish up.
I think will paint them black. It just seems like to much work / cost to have them dipped and plated or to replace them.
They will probably provide a nice contrast to the shiny rims.

As far as moving along quickly, It doesn't seem that way sometimes.
I'm sure I could wrap this up in about a week if I had the cash and parts available. As it stands I am hoping to have it done by spring before the garage gets knocked down.

If not, I am going to see if I can leave the garage as is until the house is knocked down and the new one built and then do the garage.

Bruce.

 

[brslk]

The horn mount?

Daniel

Is that where the horn is supposed to mount? Mine was mounted on some home made looking bracket on the front of the frame.

Bruce.

 

[Erki]

Looks good. I have a 76 750 as well that looks very similar to your bike. Except I have a disc brake on the rear.

 

[nutsandbolts]

Yes, it's always time or money but the bike has good bones to work with. You'll be proud of yourself when you finish it. Keep it up

 

[brslk]

Strong Edmonton presence here.

Didn't get much done again today.
I did use a Home depot gift card I got for Christmas to get a few things I needed.

The funny thing about these grinders is the one on the left is one that I paid $20 for about 20 years ago at a flea market. It gets used almost daily and is going strong.

The one net to it is a Canadian tire $20 (on sale) grinder that lasted about a week until it was toast and I had to replace these.

So far so good. The next one is a $150 Milwaukee grinder that is about a month old and is already making odd sounds.

The one next to it is a Princess Auto $15 special that I can't really comment on the quality of it as I rarely use it because of a crappy designed switch.

I thought these screws were bad.

But I managed to break them loose with the help of an impact driver.

Not so lucky with these ones on the other side though.

These were also very useful in removing the screws

on these.

I am at the point now that I gotta start ordering parts and remove the engine.
Moneywise... this is not a good time of year for me to be ordering parts so the rest of the build might be a little slow for the next little while but I will keep updating as it progresses.

Bruce.

 

[Erki]

I hear ya on the money thing. Its all fun till you gotta start paying out. If you have a small dremel cut wheel, cut a straight notch in the stripped screws and use a flathead. It worked for me.

I love $20 grinders. I've got mine at princess auto. 1st one lasted 5 years and 2nd about a year, and 3rd is going strong.

Yeah hopefully this Edmonton crew can get together this summer, Maybe have a coffee, go for a ride, or tinker on some bikes.

 

[Guest]

How much engine work are you planning on Bruce? Myself, I am torn. Looking into the intake and exhaust ports, the intakes look good but the exhausts are nicely carboned up. It's got 14K miles on the clock...It really adds to the bill opening it up but part of me wants to get it all done now why the bike is apart and the engine is out. At this time, I'm thinking I will just bite the bullet but it's going to be painful...

Sci85

 

[brslk]

How much engine work are you planning on Bruce? Myself, I am torn. Looking into the intake and exhaust ports, the intakes look good but the exhausts are nicely carboned up. It's got 14K miles on the clock...It really adds to the bill opening it up but part of me wants to get it all done now why the bike is apart and the engine is out. At this time, I'm thinking I will just bite the bullet but it's going to be painful...

Sci85

I hear ya. I am in the same position. The intakes look good also but here is what the exhaust ports look like.

Some are better than others but none of them look great.

The bike ran good when I started so I am having a hard time justifying the cost to myself, even though I know it should be taken care of while (as you said) the engine is out.

I'm leaning towards not doing it but damn you... not sure now...
The cost and extra time is the killer for me.

Bruce.

 

[GateKeeper]

Hey Bruce.....

Do like me, I have started on the cleaning, polishing, stripping, sanding, and so on, of all the parts, takes very little money, and will keep you busy for a while.

and maybe paint a few things in the process, let them sit and cure, gets that paint nice and hard and cured, and parts will be ready for install...when you are

This way I am not spending any, well very little money, but still keeping the build going....

 

[brslk]

Hey Bruce.....

Do like me, I have started on the cleaning, polishing, stripping, sanding, and so on, of all the parts, takes very little money, and will keep you busy for a while.

and maybe paint a few things in the process, let them sit and cure, gets that paint nice and hard and cured, and parts will be ready for install...when you are

This way I am not spending any, well very little money, but still keeping the build going....

I've been doing that a little as I went along and intend to do exactly what you said. I am going to start to work on the tank, prepping for paint but I really want to polish several things but have zero experience at that.
Any tips or advice?

Bruce.