1978 GS550 oil strainer/oil separator mesh?

[Super]

Hi all,
I'm working on a new project bike, a 1978 GS550E and have a question. In my restoring process, I intend to change the oil, oil filter, oil cover o-ring, oil pan gasket and put in new oil.

However, in reading through my Haynes manual it mentions one possible reason for the oil pressure light coming on as..."a blocked oil strainer screen". The manual also shows under the engine breather cover there should be.."oil separator mesh to be installed before replacing the breather cover"..

I'm guessing these are both the same thing, just different terminology? And that it would be smart to take this "oil strainer/mesh" out and thoroughly clean it and re-install it. Of course along with putting on a new breather cover gasket. I don't want to miss anything I should do right the first time.

Any info would be appreciated as I want to get this bike thoroughly updated maintenance-wise before I try cranking her up. Thanks

[mike_of_bbg]

No, those are two different things. There's a screen in the oil pan through which the pump grabs oil. That's in the BOTTOM of the engine. Blowby gases are filtered out using the mesh in the TOP of the motor, that little cover atop the valve cover.

[Super]

Oh..okay. Will I be able to access this and clean it easily? I haven't dropped the oil pan yet and don't know. Also, Should I clean out the mesh under the breather cover any way..just in case?

[Adler]

Oh..okay. Will I be able to access this and clean it easily? I haven't dropped the oil pan yet and don't know. Also, Should I clean out the mesh under the breather cover any way..just in case?

Sure, knock yourself out... It doesn't really get dirty though...

[Super]

Well, okay then. I'll probably just leave it alone. Don't want to spend more time or money than I have to. Thanks..I appreciate it.

[Suzuki_Don]

Well, okay then. I'll probably just leave it alone. Don't want to spend more time or money than I have to. Thanks..I appreciate it.

It's an afternoons job and one sump gasket. Good insurance to know you don't have low oil pressure. Just have to remove the exhaust pipes first, unless you have a decent 4-1. Make sure you loctite the three screws that hold the sump screen in place.

[Super]

Thanks Don...yes, I'll have to drop the exhaust pipes to do this but that's okay. I just feel that I might as well try to cover all the bases while I'm doing things. That way, if something doesn't seem right, I can eliminate what I know I've done right. Thanks again.