World Tour on GS850, Help needed in British Columbia, CA

[shirazdrum]

Hey guys,
As you already know, I?m on my world tour on a GS850 and she has been going strong so far. Except for changing a clutch cable in Alaska, it has given me no trouble even though I?ve been abusing it like a dirt bike on Dempster and Top of the world Hwy.
When I installed a new clutch before I left, I also installed Heavy Duty clutch springs which I regret dearly, I think it was the cause of the cable failure as the clutch is very hard to pull in. I?ve been living with it till now but I have to change them to stock springs before I hit any major city on my way. 2 minutes of rush hour traffic is enough to kill the cable or my left hand.
I also need to change the seal on my Drive shaft as it is leaking (never on the ground but it defiantly spits out once in a while.) I?ve checked the level and it?s not over full so I like to inspect it as soon as possible.
I?m heading south on Cassiar Hwy through British Columbia towards Vancouver to Washington and if there are any GSers on the way who are willing to donate a garage for an hour or two to fix my ride, I would greatly appreciate it.

You can check my website at www.motorcyclememoir.com to find out where I am at any time.

 

[Dogma]

If you still have the stock springs and you're carrying the tools (especially the torque wrench), you might be able to swap the springs back in without draining the oil. With the bike on the side stand and the suspension fully extended, only a little oil is lost when you pull the clutch cover. If you were just in there, the gasket is probably OK to reuse. Hopefully you have a roll of gasket material or some other gasket backup plan though.

Were you having a problem with the clutch slipping? I'll just throw some stuff out here, since we can't really converse about this, and I'm not sure of your experience as a GS mechanic: Some mixture of stock and heavy duty springs may give enough pressure, with a more reasonable lever action. I still have two heavy springs in mine (equally spaced of course). Even so, I had to put new fiber plates in to get rid of clutch slip. Or the problem may be as simple as not having had the clutch cable adjusted properly, or a frayed cable preventing proper clutch action. Heavy duty springs should not be necessary on a stock motor. Another possible cause of clutch slip is using oil with energy saving friction modifiers. That stuff will ruin fiber plates.

Please make sure to use a torque wrench on those pressure plate screws. They are very easy to break.

The drive shaft seal I don't have experience with changing. Hopefully someone in BC is available to help with that. A little too much oil would be better than not enough in the secondary drive. Those bearings can lock up if they go dry.

I hope that helps.

Edit: I just reread your post. I see you put in a new clutch before you started the trip. Stock springs should be getting it done.

 

[nisom512]

if your swinging threw minnesota at any point I have my old stock clutch basket springs from my 81 850 you could swing by and do any work you need to. I am in hastings which is just south of the twin cities.

let me know
Jake

 

[mike_of_bbg]

Yeah, I put some EBC springs in and, as my friend would say whenever he pulled the lever, "those things will make a man out of ya". New stockers have made it much better.

Sorry I can't provide any help other than this bump and some sympathy. Good luck to ya.

 

[ronin1166]

Garage available in wa - near wa/bc border

Garage available in wa - near wa/bc border

Shirazdrum/Chris,

I'm in Ferndale, WA (15 mi. S of the WA/BC border off of I-5, 100 mi. N of Seattle).

I will be traveling out-of-town on Sat 9/12, but back home Sun 9/13.

Messy, but well-equipped shop. Tent space. And cold beer.

If the timing works for you, you are welcome here.

PM me for contact info.

- Ted

 

[shirazdrum]

I never had a slipping problem. It was just that the clutch was old and I could barely see any fiber left. One of my sponsors, the Poet motorcycle provided the Kit and they changed it too. I couldn't argue with that.
I don't have my stock springs anymore otherwise I would have done it 2 weeks ago. I need to order a new OEM set and ship it to an address that I can work on the bike.
Jake, your neck of the wood's way out of my way. On my way back from Europe I?ll definitely say hello though.
Ted, I was hoping to fix it before getting to Vancouver but if all fails, I can't pass on a cold beer and a camp site. I'll stop by regardless

Regards,

Chris

 

[tkent02]

Can I donate an entire 850 clutch for the worthy cause?

 

[shirazdrum]

You sure could. My clutch is still new but i will need new kit not too long from now. how about i tell you when it starts slipping. If you have new stock springs that would be great though.

Chris

 

[Dogma]

One other (almost) suggestion: I started speed shifting to save my left hand when I still had the heavy springs in. Maybe not a great idea with the whole world still in front of you. Still, if your hand gets completely worn out in heavy traffic somewhere, it can cut your clutch work in half.

Has anyone out there ever run with only 3 or 4 springs in?

 

[shirazdrum]

Ted,

I had more issues with the bike for past few days and I need to get it fixed. My rear tire has 3 plugs in it at the moment, my tach cable went out and I have a really nasty leak from my valve cover on top of my clutch and rear end issue.
I?m in Prince George at the moment and heading south to Vancouver then to Ferndale.
I need to order the parts to do the job but have no where to send them to. If you are around sometimes this weekend or next week, I can ship them to your house and tackle the job there.
I can?t find any tire in that size up here so I might just ride south with what I got, although it?s dangerous and I know it.

If it?s alright with you, please email me your address and phone number so I can get on the ordering part. My phone # is 406-202-0522 and my email is chris-sorbi@hotmail.com

Thanks again,
Chris

 

[Dave8338]

I like how the point size and font changes with each new post. It would seem that you're "on the move".

Sounds like you run into a few burps along the way but nothing that would shorten the journey. Sounds like a gasket or three is in order and a roof to work under and you'll be set.

Ride safe and keep the shiny side up...

 

[SqDancerLynn1]

As far as the drive shaft leak I would live with it, just check the lever. If it is the engine side you are talking about removing the swing arm. As to a cam cover What year? , clutch springs I could send some if you get an address

 

[salty_monk]

Personally I would only replace half the EBC springs with stock - especially if you get used stock...

 

[mottyl]

When do you think you will hit Vancouver?

Chris

 

[tkent02]

Personally I would only replace half the EBC springs with stock - especially if you get used stock...

Why not just get six new ones from Suzuki for ten or twelve bucks?
They will last another thirty years or so.

 

[49er]

If the diff is throwing oil out through the front seal, a small breather hole at the back of the pumpkin, on top and close the drive gear assy may have gotten blocked. When this happens, the diff becomes pressurised and forces oil past the seals. If you're running a high mileage diff, it may be just worn seals.

If you can locate a used stock set of clutch springs, just replace every second HD (not Harley Davidson) spring with a used one and button it up. You will find the clutch lever far more friendly, and no slippage at all.

Re-check your new clutch cable, making sure that the plastic sleeve that fits around the handle nipple is in place. If you don't use these, your cable will bind instead of rotating freely during clutch depression and break a lot earlier than it should.

 

[oshanac]

Good luck-what a fun time traveling on the GS (minus the repair problems of course). Where are you going in the US?

 

[shirazdrum]

Well you guys get the latest info before I update my website. Here is the rundown of what?s happening:
I can?t find any tires here in Prince George and the next place that has the size I need is almost in Vancouver. If I can make it to Vancouver, I might just make it to Washington and buy them there.
Rob from Cycle recycle is sending me my gasket and tach cable as soon as I find an address in WA.
I JB welded the valve cover gasket to stop the leak and it worked. It took forever to clean everything with brake parts cleaner and it kept oozing out oil for another ? hour (didn?t want to drain the oil) but finally stopped the leak.
I replaced all the plugs with new fat plugs and the tire is holding air pressure pretty constant.
The springs are the least my worries now but it would be nice to change 3 of them to stock.
Rear is not leaking as bad; maybe it was just too full. I checked the level today and it was good so we?ll see how that does. It was never to a dripping point but annoying nonetheless.

I learned my lesson here; I?m taking a set of knobbies for off-roading and saving my road tires for road riding. More hassle but at least I have two sets of tires at any point. Tubed tires only too.
I?ll be in Vancouver on Friday and will stay there for a few days. Then head south for Seattle.

Thanks for all the comments, I updated the website again. Read on and see the pics: www.motorcyclememoir.com

I?ll keep you posted on what happens. Maybe this put an end to the tire plug debate for good

P.S. I washed and waxed mybaby today, she?s looking swell.

 

[Dogma]

Lookin' good! Except for that tire. Yikes! Pothole damage, eh? Honestly, I'd be nervous about damage of the non-leaking sort. I hope you can get another tire without having to ride far.

Have you considered a reusable silicone cam cover gasket (and breather gasket) from RealGaskets? I imagine you'll be tearing through the 4,000 mi valve adjust intervals pretty quickly and often. Several people on these forums (including myself) have had good results with them.

 

[Dave8338]

Don't push the tire. As soon as you can find a shop or source a tire and do it yourself, I would do it. Extra weight, miles to cover, and unknown speeds (freeway vs grid lock) all add to stress on a swiss cheese tire. :-s

Don't want to read about "how you went down" as a result of a hacked up shoe...

Ride safe...

Dave