Bad Luck !!!!

[Turtle]

Purchased a 82 gs1100e couple of weeks ago. Bike ran when I got it but backfired some. Figured it had a little carburation problem, plus had been sitting since 04. I got the bike home and started disassembling for a frame off resto. (my first). Tank and fenders are in good shape and someone had added a Maier universal fairing. I pulled and sent to body shop.Stripped frame and sent to powder coaters. Pulled motor and started tearing apart. At first all looked real good. The head was very clean and cams looked excellent.:-D I pulled the head and cylinders looked good. No bad wear and no lip around top of jug. I pulled cylinders and disaster struck.[-o< The number one piston is busted, and the cylinder is cracked bad along the skirt that stabs into case. It looks like the piston also knocked small hole in back of case. I don't think hole is in vital spot but I have not split cases yet. The weird part is there is no trash in oil tray or any where else in motor that I can see. When I drained oil it was good and clean. I think the motor was put back together this way. I haven't find one piece of piston and no trash of any kind. The way the piston is busted and the cylinder is cracked, it could still function. Anyway the guy that sold it to me had not had the bike very long and did not know history except what was told him by previous owner. Oh well you win some and you lose some. I still love the old bike and will continue to rebuild, it will just require a lot bigger budget now and a little more time.

Gary

[earlfor]

Thats a bummer all right. As you say though, buying old bikes is a win some, lose some. I have yet to buy an old bike that turned out to be less work than I expected. :-) Once they get to a certain age, it seems too many people neglect them. At least you can do the work.

Earl

[tkent02]

cylinders and pistons are dirt cheap on ebay...

no big deal, just start looking.

[Rick]

Snake eyes..

Gary...
Sorry about your "discovery" on your project machine. Tell me is the cack really that far up the cylinder wall? If it started at the bottom & worked up do you think it is shy of the ring-set? The liners poking in are really not stressed just there for the skirts. If so, what about a weld-up? Busted pistons of course are a replace, oversize? Pics so we can see OK?
____________________________________________Rick.. ......

[Turtle]

cylinder crack

Hi Rick,
No the crack is not that far up the cylinder wall. Just extends a little above the liner. I am not to worried about pistons , have seen several on ebay already that will work. I will try and take some pictures in a couple of days and get them on here. I do believe now that the engine was put back together with the crack in the wall and a busted piston. Did not find one piece of piston or even any trash in cases. Very clean.

Thanks,
Gary

[conehead]

maybe not so bad...

Gary,
My 83 GS1100ED had exactly the same problem when I bought it in '95. I had the hole in the case welded up, resleeved the cylinder, replaced the piston and away we went. I know its discouraging to find this sort of thing but when you get it done you get the reward of riding a great bike! I have only put 11K on my bike since then but I have enjoyed every mile.
Tommy

[mach]

Hey Gary,

That’s a real bummer man. Unfortunately it is one of the risks we assume playing around with these old beasties! Another alternative would to look for a ratty bike that may have a decent engine and make one good bike from the two……
One benefit is that you would have some useful spare parts left over…..

I’ve already dumped more $$$$ into my GS850 than it’s worth… And still dumping!!!

Good Luck!!!