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how to change valve cover gasket

  • Thread starter Thread starter NES07DEZ
  • Start date Start date
Hi Mr. NES07DEZ,

What bike are we talking about? I guess it really doesn't matter, the procedure would be basically the same for all the GS bikes. Please visit my website and check out the Valve Adjustment guides. There is one for the 8-valve motors and one for the 16-valve motors. Be sure to order your new gasket ahead of time, probably some (4) half moons too. If you currently have a paper gasket, be prepared to spend some quality time getting it off. Be careful not to damage the head or the cover as you scrape.

Changing the valve cover gasket isn't hard. On my bike, I have to remove the tank, horns, breather, then the cover will come off. While you're there you might as well check the valve clearances.

Valve Adjustments (8 Valve)

Valve Adjustment for 16 Valve Motors

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
First step for the project is to provide more information; model and year of your bike.
 
what are the half moon that you have to repalce when you do the valve cover gasket
 
NES07DEZ said:
what are the half moon that you have to repalce when you do the valve cover gasket
Click to expand...

They are hard rubber gaskets on the ends of the head. It will all become clear after reading the valve adjustment guide (there are lots of pictures).


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
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hey cliff i still dont see the half moon.
i have no idea what they look like.
i have looked at liks you shoewd me.
 
Hi,

The "half moons" are the black half circles behind the end caps, under the cover.

coverlift.jpg



See them next to the cam lobes? The black half circles. A lot of riders don't replace them every time. Some even buy aluminum parts that are semi-permanent.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
BassCliff said:
What bike are we talking about? I guess it really doesn't matter, the procedure would be basically the same for all the GS bikes.
Click to expand...

Nessism said:
First step for the project is to provide more information; model and year of your bike.
Click to expand...

twr1776 said:
Not sure which bike you have
Click to expand...

NES07DEZ said:
sorry about that is a 1982 gs 850 l
Click to expand...
Can you see why we ask all you new guys to put a little info in your profiles? :-k

Now that we know that it's an '82 850, I am going to have you take a good look at it before you order your replacement gaskets.

Some time during 1982, Suzuki changed the head and valve cover. Not sure if they started it in late '81 when the '82 models were starting production, or if they started it a bit later, during the '82 model run. Regardless, count the bolts holding the valve cover to the head. Earlier models had 16, later ones had 19. When you order valve cover gaskets, you will simply see them listed as " '79 to '81" or " '82 to '83", so don't mix them up.

Most other engine gaskets will interchange with other years, but one that won't is the clutch cover. '79 to '81 bikes still had the old cover that had room for the kick starter that only appeared on the '79 models, the '82 and up models had a cover without that bump on the back edge.

.
 
Last edited:
so let's say you wanted to *only* replace the valve cover gasket (on a 1983 GS650G to be specific :)), do you just skip the valve adjustment and put everything back together?
 
Fenixgoon said:
so let's say you wanted to *only* replace the valve cover gasket (on a 1983 GS650G to be specific :)), do you just skip the valve adjustment and put everything back together?
Click to expand...

Not unless you want your valves to burn, or you have done a valve adjustment recently.
 
Nessism said:
Not unless you want your valves to burn, or you have done a valve adjustment recently.
Click to expand...

so what kind of tools am i gonna need for that? it's about time i get my christmas list started, it seems :D
 
Your manual should give you an idea of the tools necessary. You do have a manual, don't you? :-k

If you don't, you can download one from BassCliff's little site.

One tool that is not mentioned in the Suzuki manual is the Excel spreadsheet I have developed that will help you figure out what shims you need and will also keep track of them from one service to the next. Toss an e-mail my way with a request and I will reply with the spreadsheet attached.

.
 
Fenixgoon said:
so what kind of tools am i gonna need for that? it's about time i get my christmas list started, it seems :D
Click to expand...

Hi Mr. Fenixgoon,

Feel free to read the valve adjustment guide on my website. Then we'll see if you have any questions. I like using the tappet depressor tool, some don't. Have you inventoried your shims yet? If you keep track of your clearances and what shims you have installed, it makes it easier to plan ahead and order or swap for the shims you will need. After "guesstimating" the sizes you'll need, you can have a small selection of shims on hand, then you don't have to wait for the right size shims to arrive in the mail. No down time! :)

Also, for those of you with an '82 GS850G, count your valve cover bolts. As Mr. Steve mentioned, sometime in '82 the valve covers changed from a 16 bolt pattern to a 19 bolt pattern. Be sure to order the right part.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
so let's say you wanted to *only* replace the valve cover gasket (on a 1982 GS850L to be specific :)), do you just skip the valve adjustment and put everything back together?
 
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