Tips on stripping a head off

[Suzuki mad]

After 30 years of running fine my GS1000E has finally blown a head gasket!

Not that much of a problem to fix but at £80 ($131) for a head gasket, £27 ($44) for a rocker box gasket, £19 ($31) for a base gasket and 'O' rings then a whopping £240 ($391) for new rings I really don't want to pop the base gasket.

Any budding GS'rs out there know a trick or two that can save me the extra expense of a full strip down?

I some of you will say go all the way but at those prices for parts its a little expensive in these times of tight money here in the UK.

[sharpy]

"Any budding GS'rs out there know a trick or two that can save me the extra expense of a full strip down?"

NOPE. Do it right or not at all. How many miles? Might need more than rings and maybe a head refurbish. Money spent now will save in future.

[Suzuki mad]

46,517 miles from new. Never smoked and pulled fine up till the gasket went. Now she's a pig to fire up (and only on three cylinders) plus my left boots getting dribbled on from the leaking non firing no 4 (or is that No 1.)

I'm guessing the answer is going to be strip it all the way but there's no harm in asking. I really don't want to pull all the valves and do the oils seals and re-grind the valves back in too with a GS1000SN restore project part done in the garage.

[sharpy]

#1 in on the LHS sitting on the bike. You might be lucky with just a hone and rings but doing the head now and all else being ok it will do you till at least 80-100,000ks

[Suzuki mad]

Thought as much.....

[rustybronco]

Not that much of a problem to fix but at £80 ($131) for a head gasket, £27 ($44) for a rocker box gasket, £19 ($31) for a base gasket and 'O' rings then a whopping £240 ($391) for new rings I really don't want to pop the base gasket.

Any budding GS'rs out there know a trick or two that can save me the extra expense of a full strip down?

I think I've a spare head gasket and I know I have a spare base gasket courtesy of Ed (Nessism). Z1 should have the valve stem seals, rocker box gasket and can order OEM base, cylinder and cam tunnel o-rings. then tear it apart, inspect the piston rings and order them if needed.

recently there was a full set of std rings on Ebay that sold for $76 USD plus shipping.

that should do the job on the cheap...

[Nessism]

I agree with rusty (Dale), why not mail order some parts? USPS ships direct to UK for reasonable prices. At most rings would cost you $130 or so. It does add up but nothing like those prices as listed.

[Suzuki mad]

Cheers guy's.

Suppose I'I have to find some extra boxes to put these parts into so as not to confuse them with the 1000S!

[hampshirehog]

That's good advice from the Yanks - rip off Britain comes in to its own with bits for Suzukis. I've bought loads of stuff out of the US and if it isn't heavy the p&p is can be pretty good. Plus customs and excise have had some big staff cuts so you even better chances that you won't get any guys trying to kill you for taxes (I've never been had by them by the way).

You're right to go original on everything as well, with the possible exception of the rocker cover gasket which you can get cheap over here as a pattern (or make your own).

[sharpy]

You stated in a PM thats its been restored with fresh pistons only recentally, is that correct? Whats brand gaskets and where did you place the gasket goo(if any) when you rebuilt it. Shouldnt have leaked if done properally. Sorry to be a meanie. Full history be nice info thanks

[Suzuki mad]

cross wires sharpie

In the PM sharpy I was talking about MY GS(X)1100E not the 1000E. Sorry for the confusion.

Bought a barrel from the states a few years back. That cost me via Royal Mail for Customs Duty, HH.

[sharpy]

In the PM Sharpie I was talking about MY GS(X)1100E not the 1000E. Sorry for the confusion.

Bought a barrel from the states a few years back. That cost me via Royal Mail for Customs Duty, HH.

Ok sorry, but spell my name right ok! lol