Valve guide question

[oldgsfan]

Is it ever OK to reuse the valve guides? I'm rebuilding a 1980 GS850. I just priced out new valve guides and seals and it's almost $300 at Bike Bandit. Ouch! If it's necessary, well, I can get them a few per paycheck, but can I get away with just replacing the seals? Or am I asking for major problems if I do that?

Shop manual says new valve guides are required -- Haynes only mentions replacing the valve guide seals. At a couple bucks a piece, I could do that easily.

Anyone ever re-use valve guides? Or, even leave them in, untouched, and reuse them without even pulling them?

Thanks

 

[Nessism]

Most people don't touch the guides when performing an engine rebuild. Best thing to do though is perform the "wobble test" using a dial indicator. The factory Suzuki service manual details how to perform this test. Replacing the valve guides requires performing a valve job (grinding the valves and seat) too, so don't forget to include that in the scope of the project.

The snips below are from a couple of different factory Suzuki service manuals. Note: in some other manuals the service limit on the wobble test is far more generous than noted (more than double what's listed). Personally, I've often thought the manual was wrong in this instance and have always worked toward the figures as noted here. If you are slightly outside the numbers I wouldn't worry too much though.

 

[Guest]

I've only once found it necessary to replace the guides and that was way back on a 750 Bonneville. I've replaced plenty of seals on different bikes and cars.

If they look ok (and measure up ok) then they'll be fine.

What mileage has the engine done?

 

[cowboyup3371]

Ed has it covered for you but I wanted to add something else as a side note. Bike Bandit is one of the most expensive dealers out there and does not have an accurate fiche that you can refer to if talking to the dealer. Most of us use Parts Outlaw in Florida, Z1 Enterprises (Jeff Saunders is a member here) in New York, Cycle Orings for carb and intake boot parts (Robert Barr is a member here), or even your local Suzuki dealer. Yes, it takes about a week for the local dealer and two weeks for Parts Outlaw but that's because they have to order from Suzuki which means it has to be delivered from a warehouse in that area of the country.

Z1's website does not show everything they can get. You're better off calling and talking to them if you need something

 

[tkent02]

On the off chance you do need new guides, it will be much easier and cheaper to swap heads for one that's not worn out. 850 heads are easy to find.

 

[Steve]

Bike Bandit is one of the most expensive dealers out there and does not have an accurate fiche that you can refer to if talking to the dealer. Most of us use Parts Outlaw in Florida, ...

In the case of valve guides, Bike BANDIT is not all that far off. :-k
Bike BANDIT: $22.72
Parts Outlaw: $21.15

Usually the difference is much greater.

By the way, the only vendor that is more expensive than Bike BANDIT is Alpha Sports, but I keep them bookmarked because they have a very-easy-to-use interface and some nice cross-reference tools.

.

 

[oldgsfan]

This is super helpful. I did not know that about Bike Bandit so I'll try some of the vendors mentioned.

Much thanks to Ed for the very helpful measuring guide. I'll try the wobble test and see where it falls and update. Thanks again.

 

[Nessism]

APE sells some nice valve guides. That's one of the instances where I wouldn't be afraid to deviate from OEM. As a bonus they are a fair bit cheaper than Suzuki parts too.