GS1100G new owner Love/hate from day one!

[chickenstrip]

I recently purchased a 84 GS1100G with 49000ks on it in totally original condition but with a long list of issues due to sitting for years.They are all behind me now and a 3 hour ride today confirmed I have a great bike and the love/hate has been replaced with just love.
The only question I have is concerning the top end noise when compared to my 81 GSX1100.The GS does does not make any strange noises but has a lot more general rustle and mechanical tinkling (Is there such a word) than the GSX?I can even hear it at freeway speeds sometimes.The valve clearances are within spec and everything looks as new in there so guess this is just the nature of the beast?Performance wise it runs superbly but I would have expected the 4 valve gsx with more moving part to make more top end clatter?
I know it's subjective but do The gs series have this trait as normal or is mine the exception???
Thanks for any advice.

 

[Dave8338]

I recently purchased a 84 GS1100G with 49000ks on it in totally original condition but with a long list of issues due to sitting for years.They are all behind me now and a 3 hour ride today confirmed I have a great bike and the love/hate has been replaced with just love.
The only question I have is concerning the top end noise when compared to my 81 GSX1100.The GS does does not make any strange noises but has a lot more general rustle and mechanical tinkling (Is there such a word) than the GSX?I can even hear it at freeway speeds sometimes.The valve clearances are within spec and everything looks as new in there so guess this is just the nature of the beast?Performance wise it runs superbly but I would have expected the 4 valve gsx with more moving part to make more top end clatter?
I know it's subjective but do The gs series have this trait as normal or is mine the exception???
Thanks for any advice.

Welcome to the fourm. You now have an understanding of the general mentality of this fourm. Love em, hate em, leave em (only a select few but they always buy another GS) and so on.

Top end noise is to be heard on the GS bikes. Some suffer from a little cam float (more a thud than a "tinkling" sound) but my guess is that you are hearing the mechanical lifters and correctly gapped valves and shims. You grow to "love" the mechanical sounds these bikes make and when they stop make'n the noise...you know something is wrong.

Cliff will be along shortly to throw down the mat. Until then hang out and enjoy... :dancing:

Dave

 

[Guest]

If you have not done so already check the valve clearance. Mine had gone a bit long since the last one and it was rather noisy. After getting the valves adjusted the amount of noise from the top of the bike dropped dramatically.

 

[Steve]

If you have not done so already check the valve clearance. Mine had gone a bit long since the last one and it was rather noisy. After getting the valves adjusted the amount of noise from the top of the bike dropped dramatically.

Most of the time, the valves will tighten up, making less noise in the process. A proper valve adjustment will probably add noise.

My guess to why the top end seems so noisy is that the shaft drive is much quieter than the chain drive you are used to, and now you can actually hear the engine. Not going to go into the old debate on which one is better, but there is no doubt that chains are far noisier.

.

 

[TheCafeKid]

Most of the time, the valves will tighten up, making less noise in the process. A proper valve adjustment will probably add noise.

My guess to why the top end seems so noisy is that the shaft drive is much quieter than the chain drive you are used to, and now you can actually hear the engine. Not going to go into the old debate on which one is better, but there is no doubt that chains are far noisier.

.

Man you must have ridden some JACKED up chain bikes. I guarantee you that a shaft drive makes just as much noise. Maybe not YOUR shaft drive since it has 67 layers of plastic on it I'm amazed you can hear the engine at all. (oh yeah. You can't ) With a properly adjusted and lubricated chain they make little to no noise. Especially with new style chains. There is very little slop in them anymore. I can hear more racket coming out of the secondary box on a shafty than I can my chain bikes while moving at 20mph.

Having said that yes you will find the 8valve motors like your big G make different noises than your 16valver does. Just the nature of the beast. Personally I find the 16v to have more of an old school liffter and tapper, very mechanical sound cause well, they use those things lol. The 8v sounds more whispery sewing machine like. Like electric motorish I guess. Anyway it's natural. Don't freak.

 

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. chickenstrip,

I've heard it said that "a slappy valve is a happy valve". Just check those clearances at regular intervals and it will run for a good long time. I'm glad you found us. Let me say "Hi"...

Here is your very own magical, mystical, mythical, mind-expanding "mega-welcome". Please take notice of the "Top 10 Common Issues", the Carb Rebuild Series, and the Stator Papers. Now let me roll out the welcome mat for you...

Please click here for your mega-welcome, chock full of tips, suggestions, links to vendors, and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I've been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. Don't forget, we like pictures! Not you, your bike!

Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[chickenstrip]

I could not help myself and rode down to a dealer that had a 85 GS1100GK for sale and asked if I could hear it run.Sure enough it sounded exactly like mine in the top end only slightly louder as it had done 150000km.The salesman listened to mine and said it sounded like new and pointed out the standard exhaust is very quiet while most run a 4 into 1 these days which overpowers the engine noise.
Anyway this old bike is very nice to ride and amazes me with its ease of operation and performance I am starting to give it a decent twist on the throttle now and it seems to have a nice fat mid range.I have 2 modern water cooled bikes as well as the GSX and the air cooled oldies hold there own in most areas and are better in some.I almost sold this bike when I first got it but sold a 81 KZ1100A I had in storage instead.The guy who had already bought the GS pulled out of the sale and gave me enough time to ride it.Very lucky it worked out this way because the GS is way better than the KZ and I would not part with it now.
Heres a pic of the bike.

 

[doctorgonzo]

I've heard it said that "a slappy valve is a happy valve".

Words to live by!

As long as it's not so loose it gets spit out no harm no foul. I'll set mine at .1 before I set them at .04

 

[chickenstrip]

One last question.

One last question.

Thanks for the welcome everyone.
Looking forward to not spending to much more time servicing the GS and a lot more time riding.It has had every possible serviceable item serviced as sitting for many years really did it no favours.
The only other problem left to solve is it pings on standard fuel (91) if I load the motor up at low revs ? no problem on 98 octane.
Has anyone else experienced this problem?

 

[doctorgonzo]

Thanks for the welcome everyone.
Looking forward to not spending to much more time servicing the GS and a lot more time riding.It has had every possible serviceable item serviced as sitting for many years really did it no favours.
The only other problem left to solve is it pings on standard fuel (91) if I load the motor up at low revs ? no problem on 98 octane.
Has anyone else experienced this problem?

I guess you aren't in the US. "Standard" here is 89, 91 is midgrade, and premium is 93 (We use a different method to get the number I think).

I haven't experienced it. I kind of expected to since my head was decked .03 and I have brand new rings. I kind of expected the compression to rise to a point I'd have trouble on regular gas, but no problems so far. It may well be I'm still not at full compression yet since I'm only at about 150 miles on the rebuilt motor.

 

[Johno]

Run it on 95 or 98

Run it on 95 or 98

Great looking bike you have!

I run my GS1000G on Premium 98 octane and she loves it. The little extra cost for the higher grade fuel (supposed to be cleaner and better quality according to one mechanic) is worth the expense.

Where are you located?

 

[chickenstrip]

I guess you aren't in the US. "Standard" here is 89, 91 is midgrade, and premium is 93 (We use a different method to get the number I think).

I haven't experienced it. I kind of expected to since my head was decked .03 and I have brand new rings. I kind of expected the compression to rise to a point I'd have trouble on regular gas, but no problems so far. It may well be I'm still not at full compression yet since I'm only at about 150 miles on the rebuilt motor.

Yes different rating system for fuel here.My triumph legend has 12.1 compression and will run on stale 91 no problems so I am not sure how that all works out in relation to compression ratios.

 

[chickenstrip]

Great looking bike you have!

I run my GS1000G on Premium 98 octane and she loves it. The little extra cost for the higher grade fuel (supposed to be cleaner and better quality according to one mechanic) is worth the expense.

Where are you located?

Thanks for advice Johno will just keep running it on 98.
I am in Melbourne.Do you have a photo of your bike?

 

[doctorgonzo]

Yes different rating system for fuel here.My triumph legend has 12.1 compression and will run on stale 91 no problems so I am not sure how that all works out in relation to compression ratios.

Well, somewhat counter intuitively, the higher the octane the HARDER it is to get the gas to burn. 89 octane (US system) is MORE combustible than 93 octane. The reason a high compression engine needs higher octane fuel is because under high compression (which also make the fuel more combustible), the leftover heat from the previous firing of the cylinder can cause the fuel to ignite before the spark plug fires. That's pre-ignition.

The reason to not run high octane if you don't need to is it's possible to go the other direction and get incomplete fuel burn on a regular compression engine.

 

[Johno]

Photos 1981 GS1000G

Photos 1981 GS1000G

Thanks for advice Johno will just keep running it on 98.
I am in Melbourne.Do you have a photo of your bike?

Here is a link to some photos
http://s261.photobucket.com/albums/ii80/pj0067/

Paul

 

[chickenstrip]

[

The reason to not run high octane if you don't need to is it's possible to go the other direction and get incomplete fuel burn on a regular compression engine.[/QUOTE]



The pinging occurs more in hot temps after the bike has been running for a while.It has an oil cooler that is set up very badly and I am going to remove it or relocate it as it may be contributing to the heat rather than reducing it.It has really long lines that run under the engine from the pressure sensor by the cam chain tensioner all the way to just under the horns at the front and the low pressure oil system might struggle to cope pumping it all that way?

 

[850 Combat]

It should be happy on any grade of fuel. I believe it was designed for 87. If it pings I would look at lean carbs or advanced timing. Or ride it for a couple tanks and see if it clears up.

I never put anything above regular in mine.

 

[gs scott]

84 gs

84 gs

Thanks for the welcome everyone.
Looking forward to not spending to much more time servicing the GS and a lot more time riding.It has had every possible serviceable item serviced as sitting for many years really did it no favours.
The only other problem left to solve is it pings on standard fuel (91) if I load the motor up at low revs ? no problem on 98 octane.
Has anyone else experienced this problem?

Welcome to the fold. Beautiful GS - love that paint scheme - it was never offered here in the US!

All my GS history is with the 16 valvers, but I've read more than once, that thanks to the US EPA clamping down in the late 70s / early 80s, Suzuki and everyone else prepared to meet the new, more stringent pollution standards. Part of that was leaning out the burn process, along with a switch to CV carbs (among many other efforts.) And as a result, these air cooled engines became more sensitive to fuel quality / octane. Several bike magazine reviews - back when the bikes were brand new - documented the pinging at low rpms, but they also eliminated the pinging with higher octane fuel.

So, the earlier advice to run 98 was dead on.

Glad to hear how much you like and appreciate your GS - they're really great bikes to ride!

 

[chickenstrip]

Welcome to the fold. Beautiful GS - love that paint scheme - it was never offered here in the US!

All my GS history is with the 16 valvers, but I've read more than once, that thanks to the US EPA clamping down in the late 70s / early 80s, Suzuki and everyone else prepared to meet the new, more stringent pollution standards. Part of that was leaning out the burn process, along with a switch to CV carbs (among many other efforts.) And as a result, these air cooled engines became more sensitive to fuel quality / octane. Several bike magazine reviews - back when the bikes were brand new - documented the pinging at low rpms, but they also eliminated the pinging with higher octane fuel.

So, the earlier advice to run 98 was dead on.

Glad to hear how much you like and appreciate your GS - they're really great bikes to ride!

Thanks Scott thats great to hear.
I replaced the air filter as the original just crumbled in my hand it was so old and clogged up.Before that the plugs were showing it as running rich and had no signs of pinging since the new filter the plug readings look close to perfect maybe a little on the lean side which makes perfect sense after reading the above.I may have under oiled the filter as well so I will redo that and check the seal on top of the filter that looked a little past its best.
Have just returned from a short ride and can't wait to really hit the road on the weekend.
I love my 16 valve but I love shaft drive more on a big trip.

 

[Guest]

G'day there Chicken old mate.I run either 95 or 98 in my GS1000S with a wee drop of Moories fuel conditioner in each tank ( the lead replacement stuff ). About 1/2 ml per litre of petrol . I also run ( I know I'm going to get belted here ) a 50 weight oil . My ambient temp is probably a bit higher than yours though . The old girl loves both . Welcome to THE home of the mighty GS's . Lot of clever buggers on here , as you've already twigged I guess . Cheers , Simon.:dancing: