Slippage?

[spaytons]

Hi everyone. Just found this site and this is my 1st post. So please forgive me if this has been discussed before. Did a quick search and didn't see this. So if you point me in the right direction................

Just purchased a '81 GS850. It has10K on it. When I 1st ride it in the morning or after its been setting awhile, when I get into 5th gear, between 50 and 60mph, it will 'slip'. And the motor will rev up for a few seconds. I don't know the RPMs cause I need to replace the cable.
I replaced all the fluids. Motor was over filled. 2nd gear box I think had original fluid and smelled like varnish. Final drive had a lot of sediment on the plug and was as black as a ex-wife's heart. Rode it and then changed gearbox and final drive again. Anyone know about this?

 

[7981GS]

Sometimes a simple change of oil to a hi-quality diesel oil will help with the clutches.
Have you tried to adjust the clutch at the side case yet?

Eric

 

[Dogma]

An 850 slipping going into 5th at 60mph has a problem. That's not even in the power band. A good diesel oil with a lot of detergent might clean some sludge off the disks, but I think you have a little more trouble than that.

Replace the clutch springs with new stock units and see if that helps. A lot of people have good luck with that, as the original springs probably have taken a compression set and no longer clamp the disks with enough force. They can't squeeze the oil out of the clutch pack fast enough. New springs are just a couple bucks each at our favorite sellers (see the list at BassCliff's site, I like PartShark, Z1 Enterprises and Boulevard Suzuki).

Some bikes are found with an absurdly heavy lever, because a PO tried to cure the slip with heavier springs. If you don't want to lay out cash for fibers, you might try 3 heavy springs (EBC I think) and 3 stock to minimize wear on your left hand.

New springs helped both my bikes, but I had to get new fiber disks to completely eliminate slipping. A set of fibers will run near $100, but may be necessary. My 850 used to slip on an up shift, and springs helped with that. Springs did not cure slipping in the power band, though. Same on my 1000.

 

[TeamDar]

If three heavy springs is still too stiff, try two heavy and four stock. Just space the heavy ones across from each other.

 

[7981GS]

Guys, if you re-read his post, it ONLY HAS 10K on it.

Very hard to believe that it needs new parts.

Eric

 

[Guest]

Guys, if you re-read his post, it ONLY HAS 10K on it.

Very hard to believe that it needs new parts.

Eric

What you don't know is the bikes history, or whats been used for oil. Could be oil that's been reduced to sludge from infrequent oil changes, or the wrong oil, who knows. It may get better through use working off a glaze or whatever.

 

[7981GS]

I still say that it is INCREDIBLY HARD TO BELIEVE that someone raced an 850G or tortured it enough that it needs any new clutch parts with that few miles.

I have put well over 60-70,000 hard miles on way more powerful GS'es and haven't needed any clutch parts yet.

Just sayin'

Eric

 

[spaytons]

I appreciate the suggestions. I haven't made any adjustments myself. And it only does it after the bike has set awhile, early morning or after work. If its good and warm, no issue.

 

[Dogma]

I still say that it is INCREDIBLY HARD TO BELIEVE that someone raced an 850G or tortured it enough that it needs any new clutch parts with that few miles.

I have put well over 60-70,000 hard miles on way more powerful GS'es and haven't needed any clutch parts yet.

Just sayin'

Eric

Both of mine needed new plates, both only about 30,000 miles at the time. Yeah, they should have been fine, but they weren't.

 

[Dogma]

I appreciate the suggestions. I haven't made any adjustments myself. And it only does it after the bike has set awhile, early morning or after work. If its good and warm, no issue.

Still consistent with my 850's experience, IIRC. Go for the springs. Warning: The screws holding the springs are very soft and break easily. You might order some with the new springs. Get a cheap torque wrench that can go low enough. Beam style is good, and Harbor Freight clickers work well enough.

 

[spaytons]

Sometimes a simple change of oil to a hi-quality diesel oil will help with the clutches.

@eric. What oil would you recomend? I just fill the box and ride it awhile? You'll have to forgive me, I'm new to the Suzuki scene. Previous rides: 2 HD sports, a '69 650 triumph, and a 175 Yamaha.

 

[tkent02]

Guys, if you re-read his post, it ONLY HAS 10K on it.

Very hard to believe that it needs new parts.

Eric

Plates, no, they should have zero wear. The springs have been compressed for thirty years, they are probably much shorter now that they need to be.

Six springs from Suzuki are what, $10?

If it's out of adjustment it will slip, if it's been out of adjustment and ridden while slipping a lot the plates will be ruined. I've even seen a bike with a new clutch ruined because the rider held the clutch lever part way in everywhere he rode. He just didn't get it.

10,000 miles can be plenty to ruin a clutch, in some circumstances.
The PO will just have to look and see.

New springs is my guess.

 

[spaytons]

I think I can swing 10 for springs.

 

[850 Combat]

if something is out of adjustment enough to cause clutch slip this bad, it it would be very easy for this to toast the clutch. There is a lot of heat in clutch slip.

 

[spaytons]

Did some research:?: on replacing those springs. Looks easy enough. Any suggestion what I should look out for or do if I'm that far into it?

 

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. spaytons,

There's a virtual GS850G par-tay over at my little website. Feel free to stop by. You might just need to use a little sand paper on those fibers. If the bike has sat a long time the springs could be a little out of spec. They're cheap. Use Rotella-T 15w40 diesel engine oil or similar. It's good stuff.

Anyway, let me dump a TON of information on you and share some GS lovin'.

I just stopped by to welcome you to the forum in my own, special way.

If there's anything you'd like to know about the Suzuki GS model bikes, and most others actually, you've come to the right place. There's a lot of knowledge and experience here in the community. Come on in and let me say "HOoooowwwDY!"....

Here is your very own magical, mystical, mythical, mind-expanding "mega-welcome". Please take notice of the "Top 10 Common Issues", "Top 15 Tips For GS Happiness", the Carb Cleanup Series, and the Stator Papers. All of these tasks must be addressed in order to have a safe, reliable machine. This is what NOT to do: Top 10 Newbie Mistakes. 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

 

[duaneage]

Get a set of clutch fibers, they are not that expensive. and new springs.
If you open it up and scrape gasket why not do it right?
If someone used "energy saving" car motor oil in the bike the fibers are going to be black and slick. That's why we advocate Rotella T and other diesel oils. They also have a little zinc and other metals car oil doesn't. Of course castrol makes a 4T motorcycle oil that's cheap and doesn't hurt the clutch.

 

[spaytons]

@BassCliff, Thanks for the welcome. Yes I've been to your site and downloaded the manual. Thanks a bunch for that. So let me get this straight, instead of 10W-40, use 15w40 for the engine oil? How about the 2nd gear box? I got the 90 in it.
@duaneage, ya I was thinking as long as I had it apart to go ahead and do the clutch too.
And thanks everyone for the assist. I never thought I'd be back in the saddle again. Its been 5 years since I sold the sporty. When the jeep crapped out and I couldn't find a car that got good mileage I found this bike. The wife insisted I buy it, told me I needed it. And she was right.

 

[spaytons]

Ok, just read the 'top 10' thread and that makes sense to me. Got castro 10/40 in it now. I'll get that changed out of there.

 

[Steve]

Guys, if you re-read his post, it ONLY HAS 10K on it.

Very hard to believe that it needs new parts.

Eric

Eric, if you re-read his post, it's ONLY 31 years old.

Springs take a "set" based on time, as well as use.

Six springs from Suzuki are what, $10?

I think it's closer to $20, but still cheap enough.

I think I can swing 10 for springs.

Don't forget another $10 for the gasket.

Any suggestion what I should look out for or do if I'm that far into it?

Just make sure everything is lined up when you put it back together.

If you start with the bike on the side stand, you won't even need to drain the oil before you start.

.