• Required reading for all forum users!!!

    Welcome!
    Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.

    A note to new registrants...
    All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.

    A Special Note about Email accounts!
    DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.

    A note to old forum members...
    I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.

    Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.

    Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...

  • Returning Visitors

    If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.

    If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.

Old bike,new problems

  • Thread starter Thread starter humblepie
  • Start date Start date
H

humblepie

Guest
Just bought a fixer upper but it runs.Want to clean out everything and considering doing my own valve job.question is do i need any special tools and can I do it myself??


I'm broke so that's why I have to do everything myself,so if you guys don't mind too much i'll be asking a sh*tload of questions. 8-[
 
a 1982 GS550L..it's my first bike..ive never worked on anything other than pedal bikes.
 
Probably the best tool you could get would be a service manual. Either purchase a clymer manual or look around on-line to see if you can find one. I have been working on cars for years and just recently started to work on bikes. You need to have a basic set of hand tools to get started. As far as specialty tools specific to motorcycles there are a few you could get. If you are working on carbs a set of Japanese Industry Standard screwdrivers are helpful. A handheld impact driver is good to have.
Masterlink pliers or chain breaker/rivot tool for servicing your chain. To synchronize your carbs you'll need a manometer or set of vaccuum gauges. A compression gauge is a useful for engine diagnostic work. An inexpensive Volt Ohm meter for chasing down electrical gremlins. I would just purchase the tools as your budget allows.
Have you looked at the price of motorcycle parts?? Its hard to be broke and buy parts for vintage bikes.
 
Yes ive seen the prices listed on the vintage parts sites..I think ebay will be my best friend during this restore project..i'm just gonna buy what I can,part by part when I get the chance and hopefully I have a running bike asap


I have a basic socket set
I took the carbs and the top end off yesterday,alot of bolts and screws were stuck,some still are,soaking in PB Blaster now..I think i'm gonna replace it with hex hardware if I can figure out the sizes.


thanks for the list,so now I know exactly what to buy when I have the cash for it.


I think this will be a fufilling endeavor in the end :)
 
Add a valve depressor tool to get the adjustment shims in/out to adjust clearance.

Check out Z1 Enterprises for parts/tools. Great services and prices.

Good luck and welcome. :)
 
thanks Nessism..




Do i need a new head?? if so,whats compatible with my engine?


P1020795.jpg
P1020797.jpg
P1020798.jpg
 
almarconi said:
A handheld impact driver is good to have.
Click to expand...

No, it's a must have. Saves a ton of swearing and drilling.

If you can, find a Suzuki Factory Service Manual for your bike. Check Ebay. You might also look at www.repairmanualclub.com. If you can't find one, a Clymer is a close second.

On these bikes, having a multimeter and knowing how to use it is invaluable. I got a really good one at Sears for $30. A can of electrical parts cleaner, a soldering iron and some heat shrink is a must.

I would also recommend buying a Dremel (I got a generic one at Wal-Mart for $20 and it works great) and a selection of bits for it. I got a 300 piece kit at Harbor Freight for $10, I highly recommend it.

There are some specialty tools, like the rotor puller, that you don't need to buy until you're actually working on that part. You do need the valve tools to make sure your valves are set correctly. A manometer, also known as a vacuum carb synchronizer, vacuum gauges, carb sticks, mercury gauges, etc. will definitely help keep your bike happy. If your bike has only two carbs, there's a thread in the "Tips and Tricks" section to make one on the cheap. If it has four carbs, it's best to buy a professional set. I would recommend the carb adjuster tool, they're pretty cheap and makes setting the carbs much easier.

As far as replacing the bolts, do an Ebay search for "stainless allen bolt kit GS550*" and you should be able to find a complete bolt kit for your bike for around $30. Z1 also has them, I'm told. Make sure to put anti-seize compound on any stainless bolt that goes into aluminum.

You've already found the single most important tool you'll ever need, this forum right here. My GS750EX would be sitting in a scrapheap somewhere if it weren't for this site.
 
humblepie said:
thanks Nessism..

Do i need a new head?? if so,whats compatible with my engine?
Click to expand...


You can patch the head with JB Weld. There was a long thread recently on this exact subject...on a 550 no less. It was missFabulous's bike ... http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=110975&highlight=weld

Regarding compatible heads, any 8 valve 550 head from 80-83 will work. The earlier heads will work also but the intake ports are smaller to match the VM carbs (which your bike does not have since they switched to CV carbs in '80).

Good luck.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top