Where to Find Piston Kits

[Guest]

Hey all,

I have been searching the forums the last day or so trying to find websites that sell piston kits for my 1981 GS1000 and haven't had a ton of luck. I found a set on Cruzin Image but they are out of stock and only have big bore pistons for my bike. I checked compression on my bike when turning over the starter and my cylinders are anywhere from 85psi-115psi, with only leakage coming from the rings. My bike has low mileage on it but the previous owners definitely abused it and left it out in the weather for years at a time. So, my worry is that my cylinders could have some corrosion and that's why the compression is low, likely leading me to bore it out. I'm hoping it is just rings, and I can find rings for it, but I just want to know what my options are before I pull the top end off. So, if y'all know of any aftermarket sites for piston kits (other Wiseco for $700 ) please let me know. Also good sites for aftermarket head and base gaskets, because OEM is about 100 a pop.

Thanks!

[jsandidge]

If the bike has been sitting for a while, you should get it running as is and ride it for a while. Many times, your compression will come back. Give your rings a chance to get unstuck from their grooves and re-seated in the bores. You may be pleasantly surprised.

[Nessism]

Agree, get the bike running then judge. To perform a proper compression check the engine must be hot and the throttle held wide open. And needless to say the valves need to be properly adjusted. Hopefully the engine has a few hundred recent miles on it too. If you need pistons there are very few options: Wiesco and Cruzin Image, and maybe Suzuki OEM if you get lucky and find a set.

Regarding parts Parts Outlaw and Partzilla seem like two of the most popular sources.

[Steve]

Yep, time for an "Italian Tune-up".

And, if you DO tear the engine apart, yes, OEM head gaskets are about $100, but the base gasket is only about $10-15. Please do yourself a favor and only use OEM gaskets in those two locations. Other places don't matter so much, so anything (except Athena) will probably work.

.

[exdirtbiker]

Steve is correct, there are several horror stories about failed aftermarket base gaskets. Buy real Suzuki gaskets and never look back.

[Tertle_Power]

Sorry, I should have been a little more clear on the sitting in the weather part. The previous owner let it sit out for years at a time and I have had it running and riding around for about 2 years now, but it has always had low compression since the previous owner.
Since I'm thinking about putting a good amount of money into it (if I bore it), I've also noticed some shifting issues over the last few years. It happened more when I first got the bike running again a few years back and still happens every now and again, when I shift, if I don't shift hard enough with my foot, the bike will pop into "neutral" in between gears, so if I'm shifting between 3rd and 4th the bike won't engage either of those gears, it will be stuck somewhere in between and have a neutral effect. Also sometimes (primarily when I'm accelerating a little harder onto the freeway or trying to beat my buddies at the light) the bike will be in second or third for a little while when I'm on the gas but then fall out on its own (without me touching the clutch or shifter) and fall in between gears and have that neutral effect again. Any ideas what the cause is? Thanks

[Nessism]

How much oil are you burning? If it's a lot then maybe the bores are pitted. If it's not burning oil most likely the bores are fine.

And how long since your last valve adjustment?

[Tertle_Power]

I'm burning a little bit of oil, not a ton. I've never done a valve adjustment since I've had the bike, so I am planning on doing it this time (adjustment, lapping or maybe even replacing the valve seals). I've had low compression for a long time but I started to figure it was due for rings because I was having some white smoke come out of my breather tube after long hard rides (also did a compression leakage test and only had leakage from the rings).

[Nessism]

You need to adjust the valves. Failing to do so is a fool's errand since the valves will hang open when all the clearances goes away and then the head/valves will burn. White smoke out the breather is normal and the reason the breather is there in the first place.