Help she's bleedin!

[Guest]

After I got home the other night I noticed oil blown on the pipes and a drip in the driveway. It seems that the oil that you can see is from below. The case seals looked dry and it seems to be from something lower. Case bolts? I'm not sure exactly where to start. I've got it degreased and ready to try and figure it out over the next couple of days. We're still having nice days in the NW and I want to twist the throttle!
Thanks for some advice and wisdom?

[azr]

What ever the cause that there is a 'tear down' none the less.....sorry mate, the truth hurts.

[Badooka]

Base gasket looks blown.

[UK-GT]

That looks like both you and I have the same job over winter!!

[hjfisk]

Looks like the base gasket has given up ship, there is a tear down in your future.

[Larry D]

Gasket time. Buy OEM Suzuki gaskets and get a manual, if you don't one.

[BTreadz]

Thanks Guys!

I suspected the base gasket, but didn't want to believe it. I got the bike this spring for $450 and an old 12 gauge. It ran beautifully all summer after I put some new pipes on and a stage 3 jet kit.
What else should I look for as I start pulling it apart? What additional things should I replace just because I'm in there?
-b

[koolaid_kid]

Just check everything out. Probably the base and head gasket and rings. Not that big of a job if you get the factory service manual and take your time.
I'd also rebuild the cam chain tensioner at the same time, again not that big of a job.

[azr]

Valve guides and valve seals as well.

[koolaid_kid]

Valve seals yes, guides no. And lap the valves.

[BTreadz]

The tear down is complete. Now what?

Hey guys,

After the base gasket failed this fall the proud GS has been sitting for a couple months. I finally built a table and got the beast up and torn apart.

I have the head and base off and on the table. It appears that the top end had been redone in the not so distant past, as it looks really good and clean. The bottom end is probably still original.

Should I worry about the rings and pistons? I'm in there now, but I hesitate because it ran great and had good compression before. Maybe I should just clean the tops of the pistons off really well and start rebuilding with new seals? I will be lapping the valves and valve seats as suggested as well as rebuilding the cam chain tensioner.

I would like some advice on what I should really worry about on the bottom end while I'm here?

Thanks in advance!!

[eil]

Regarding the pistons, rings, and cylinders... While it's all apart, it may not be a bad idea to measure everything per the service manual. But most likely, you can just throw it all back together and it will be fine forever.

There's usually no need to tear into the bottom end unless you know something is wrong in there or if the engine has very high mileage.

[azr]

Regarding the pistons, rings, and cylinders... While it's all apart, it may not be a bad idea to measure everything per the service manual. But most likely, you can just throw it all back together and it will be fine forever.

There's usually no need to tear into the bottom end unless you know something is wrong in there or if the engine has very high mileage.

Good advice. And with your plan to lap the valves and put new seals in you 'should' be good to go.

[bbjumper]

+1 on new OEM parts when you back together with everything, save the grief and she'll last longer than you will.

Cheers

[chuck hahn]

Wait 7 days before riding again.