The GS Deadly Sins

[MisterCinders]

DEADLY SINS OF YOUR GS

These guys could have just done a search . . .

​

Here is a list of things that you should NEVER DO EVER. They come up a lot in various threads. Perhaps this will become an evil-twin to Nessism's noob mistake list and/or BassCliff's maintenance list:

1. NEVER START THE BIKE IF THERE IS GAS IN THE OIL

2. NEVER TURN THE ENGINE BY HAND OR OTHERWISE WITHOUT THE CAM CHAIN TENSIONER IN PLACE AND ARMED

3. NEVER ROTATE THE CAMS WITHOUT A SHIM IN EVERY VALVE BUCKET

4. NEVER RELY ON A PO/SHOP/BUDDY TO HAVE DONE ANYTHING CORRECTLY ON YOUR BIKE, EVER.

5. NEVER JUMP START THE BIKE FROM A RUNNING CAR BATTERY

6. NEVER IDLE YOUR AIR-COOLED ENGINE FOR MORE THAN A MINUTE OR TWO WITHOUT A FAN TO PROVIDE AIR-FLOW

7. NEVER USE AN EZ-OUT (MORE LIKE NEVER-OUT, AMIRITE?) TO EXTRACT A STUCK OR STRIPPED BOLT. USE LEFT-HANDED DRILL BITS INSTEAD.

8. NEVER RIDE WITHOUT HELMET, JACKET, BOOTS, GLOVES. ATGATT.

9. NEVER CLEAN, LUBE, FONDLE OR DO ANYTHING WITH YOUR CHAIN WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING.

10. NEVER USE ARMOUR-ALL TO CLEAN A SEAT OR TIRES.
​

I'll edit this as more come to mind, but if you have any seriously bad moves that fit the NEVER DO THIS, post away. Try to stick to the real "pathway to doom" stuff, not the never-ending debates about pods/pipes, oil, sawzalls, etc.

If there are good links to threads the explain why these are such deadly sins (or better yet, demonstrate what happens to the sinner), post them here to add to the list.

 

[Doldrums]

Never jump your bike from a running car battery.

 

[Agemax]

never contemplate even checking your tire pressures without downloading basscliffs entire web site and checking your valve clearances and dipping your carbs, oh, and dont forget the coil relay mod or it will throw out your clutch adjustment

 

[Katarat]

Never dump the oil & change the filter then answer a phone call, start the bike up & ride about 150 ft then realise you didnt put the oil in it when your heart drops into your stomach. Roller bearing cranks are good

 

[shiznizbiz]

Never expect a stripped oil drain plug to hold until you can make it to the shop....

 

[bwringer]

Never ask the forum (or any motorcycle forum) about the following things... a messy, never-ending Holy War inevitably results:

1) Tires

2) Octane

3) Oil

4) Pods
4a) especially pods on an 850

5) Dynabeads

6) Cutting off the exhaust

7) Making a chopper/bobber


And finally... never, ever, EVER mention L models when tkent is around. It makes him go all funny in the head...

 

[Dave_17954]

I've got an "L" model.....just say'n :-\\\

 

[keman]

I have an 850 with pods... :lol:

 

[oldgsfan]

I've done number three on the list. Awful feeling when you realize you've done something really really bad.

 

[TheCafeKid]

I think you need to amend your cam chain tensioner one to read something like
"Never turn the motor.....without the cam chain tensioner in place and CORRECTLY ARMED" Meaning, it can be in place, but many make the mistake of tightening the set screw down all the way, not allowing the tensioner rod to move and do its job.

 

[tkent02]

Never let your GS idle for a long time sitting on the side stand, unless it's an L model.

 

[tkent02]

I've done number three on the list. Awful feeling when you realize you've done something really really bad.

Me too..... That's funny, what was that small snapping sound??? DOH!

 

[LoopGaroo]

In the last year that I've owned my GS I've committed at least three of those deadly sins.

 

[MisterCinders]

In the last year that I've owned my GS I've committed at least three of those deadly sins.

I am not one to judge, having turned the cams (including with starter motor ) without the tensioner, myself. Luckily, I did not manage to destroy any valves as a result. Not really sure how I dodged that bullet.

 

[mawg]

My 750 Kat, tough as it is, can't ride itself home while I'm busy picking gravel out of my hide cause I wasn't wearing all the gear,and stuff happened.So I want to add, never ride without proper gear!

 

[ty998]

This probably doesn't qualify as a "deadly sin", just something to avoid:
Don't head out for a test ride to gauge tuning changes and forget to completely tighten the four bolts holding the handle bars in place (last night). That was eventful.

 

[Seana23]

I have an 850 with pods... :lol:

me too!!
:-D

 

[oldbikefixer]

Okay, my turn... never try to start your bike if it looks as if one or more of the carb floats might be sticking. If you insist on starting it anyway, then at least push it out of the garage and away from anything that cost more that $10 before hitting the starter button.

 

[SVSooke]

Never oil the chain with the bike running in gear.I got lucky,still have my fingers.Other haven't been so lucky.

 

[850GT_Rider]

I have an 850 with pods... :lol:

Same here....fortunately, jets are all sorted out. Runs great.

But the warning is still valid - don't change to pods unless you want to spend a LOT of time getting it to run right.....