'79 GS550 - How bad is adjusting the valves?

[Pendulum]

I've never really dreaded or "feared" anything when it comes to working on stuff but for some reason I'm really dreading adjusting the valves on my GS. I know it needs to be done before I ride it much but for some reason I'm just not wanting to do it. I've read the guide and all that good stuff too. I think I'm afraid that it's going to turn out like everything else with this bike... A one day project turns into 3 weeks of no bike.

So honestly, how bad is it? What could I possibly run into that would snag me up, and how would I deal with it?

[Adler]

The real "irritation" is finding out what shims you need and then waiting for those shims. Then you find out you were a little off, so you order the right ones.

Can take a while.

[mike_of_bbg]

It's not that bad. The big time issue is that you won't know what shims you need to replace until you go in, catalog what you have, and measure the gaps now.

Things to have in advance:

valve cover gasket
Shim tool (I like it anyway, think it's easier/quicker than zip-tie method)
digital calipers and/or metric micrometer
metric feeler gauges
gasket scraper

You'll probably have to open it up twice: once to measure everything and figure out what shims you need. Put a light coat of grease on the gasket so you can remove it again cleanly after you get your shims and do the actual swap. Then you can ride in between the two sessions.

[tom203]

If you like dreading stuff, dread burning some valves cuz of no clearance, having to remove head, and paying some guy big bucks to correct what likely could have been prevented . Get that cam cover off and go exploring- sure problems might arise, but folks on here are standing by with real world help.

[Pendulum]

If you like dreading stuff, dread burning some valves cuz of no clearance, having to remove head, and paying some guy big bucks to correct what likely could have been prevented . Get that cam cover off and go exploring- sure problems might arise, but folks on here are standing by with real world help.

Yeah, that's why I won't be riding it much until the valves are adjusted. I've got no idea how long it's been since they were done. For all I know, I've already got some burnt valves... No way to tell until I'm in there, right?

Adler, Mike: Thanks for the encouragement. That tip about greasing the gasket will help me a lot.

[ChicagoBob]

I did it in a couple of hours on my 550, interspersed with a few days waiting for shims. I was able to juggle a couple, so I only had to buy three. A nearby Suzuki dealer had a few of them he let me have cheap, because the shop doesn't work on old bikes and so doesn't use the shims anymore.

The biggest headaches were stuck valve cover screws and removing the old gasket material without dropping pieces into the valve chamber. A hand impact driver and small long-nosed locking pliers were great for the stubborn and broken screws. I ended up with one broken screw I couldn't remove (one of the inside ones), but I left the hole empty, and it hasn't leaked. I also switched to RealGaskets valve cover and breather cover gaskets, which work if you are not using the stock tach drive, and are re-usable, unlike the stock cardboard gaskets.

Another headache was the breather hose, which was hardened and difficult to reinstall on my bike. Also, the valve cover was stuck pretty tight to its gasket, and I feared breaking it when removing it, but eventually got it off. Once it's loose, it's a pretty close fit and difficult to get out of the frame, but not impossible. Be sure to remove the horn and the breather cover first.

I used the zip-tie method to hold the valves open, and it worked like a charm. Very quick and certain.

The RealGaskets gaskets work so well, that the second time I checked my valves, the whole job only took an hour (I didn't replace any shims that time).

[tom203]

Yeah, that's why I won't be riding it much until the valves are adjusted. I've got no idea how long it's been since they were done. For all I know, I've already got some burnt valves... No way to tell until I'm in there, right?

Negative vibes! Maybe that nice old guy at the suzuki factory left a little extra clearance with a note to remind you to check them after 30 years.

[chef1366]

It's easy with the right tools.
Geez guys don't scare him.
I'd be more afraid of burnt valves then a couple hour job.

[SVSooke]

I had exactly ths fear when I did the check on my 1000.Had to adjust all the exhuasts.Don't have the tool so I tried http://members.dslextreme.com/users/...ol_zip_tie.pdf .Took
a bit of fiddling to get it the first time.All done now with nice .003 of an inch on all the valves.

[Steve]

Things to have in advance:

valve cover gasket
Shim tool (I like it anyway, think it's easier/quicker than zip-tie method)
digital calipers and/or metric micrometer
metric feeler gauges
gasket scraper.

Another handy tool is one that will help you catalog your shims and figure out what shims you will then need.

As luck would have it, such a tool exists.

.

[bbjumper]

Yea, ditto that Pendulum, no big deal with the correct tools and you have help near by. MiloBramble and myself have both dealt with that and I am about to do it again, I am going to check mine next week.

I have a local friend that is an ex-Suzuki factory rep, he is the shizzle on these GS's, great additional resource and he has shims.

PM me if you if you like and we'll get you hooked up.

Cheers

[tkent02]

Here's a tip, find local source of shims before you take every thing apart. There used to be a bike junk yard just south of I 10, a few miles west of downtown Phoenix, I bet they have a bunch of them. Usually the junkyards cost a lot less if you swap your old ones.

[bbjumper]

Here's a tip, find local source of shims before you take every thing apart. There used to be a bike junk yard just south of I 10, a few miles west of downtown Phoenix, I bet they have a bunch of them. Usually the junkyards cost a lot less if you swap your old ones.

Bobs Used Motorcycle Parts on Elwood, been around for ever....

[tkent02]

Bobs Used Motorcycle Parts on Elwood, been around for ever....

Yep, that's the one.

[Pendulum]

Thanks for the offer bb! I've been struggling to find a local guy that I can trust when it comes to these old bikes. I prefer to do my own work, but it's nice to have someone with knowledge that's local.

tkent, thanks for reminding me about Bobs! I always forget about that place. Once I get vacation time maybe I'll take a personal day off work and head over there.