Engine is out, what things do you normally look for?

[winmag4582001]

So I got the engine out and on the table.
Going to check the valves this week.
Will be putting in new plugs and oil change.
Rebuilding the carbs since I'm adding pods and 4to1 exhaust.

What other things should I replace while it's easy to get to? Just not familiar with old Suzuki motors, any parts that "normally" get changed when the motor is out?

Motor has 39k miles and ran very well before I pulled it out. Clutch felt good, pulled strong to redline, no smoke or oil burning, starts easy, electrical has already been upgraded.

1980 GS1000E

[alke46]

Any oil leaks? This would be the time to take care of those. How is the oil consumption? Only if needed, this would also be the time to replace valve stem seals and other gaskets that would require taking the head off. However, if this is not an issue then I wouldn't mess with it until necessary.

BTW, why do you have the engine out of the frame?

Just re-read that last line. Nevermind.......

[winmag4582001]

Any oil leaks? This would be the time to take care of those. How is the oil consumption? Only if needed, this would also be the time to replace valve stem seals and other gaskets that would require taking the head off. However, if this is not an issue then I wouldn't mess with it until necessary.

BTW, why do you have the engine out of the frame?

Just re-read that last line. Nevermind.......

Really the only oil leak is from the valve cover gasket (since it needs changed I was going to check valves.). Head gasket is good. The previous owner said he never checked the valve clearance and he owned it for around 3yrs, putting 8k miles on it. He only upgraded the electrical, did regular oil changes, chain and tires.

Engine is out because I'm modifying the frame and fully painting the bike.

[Burque73]

The cam chain tensioner is real easy to get to now and may be worth the few inexpensive parts to ensure it doesn't cause any leaks in the near future.

[winmag4582001]

The cam chain tensioner is real easy to get to now and may be worth the few inexpensive parts to ensure it doesn't cause any leaks in the near future.

Just the gasket or a new tensioner?
Thanks

[Burque73]

Just the gasket or a new tensioner?
Thanks

Just the gasket, seal and o-rings. The link in my previous post will take you to a great tutorial.

[Buffalo Bill]

Rebuild the head.

[alke46]

But if he rebuilds the head, won't he also have to replace the base gasket? That's why I said if it is not leaking around the base, I would leave it alone.

[winmag4582001]

As I said, it was running very well, just the valve cover gasket is leaking. How often do cam guides and chains wear out?
On the CX500 my son bought, the chain and guides are a problem but is a cheap repair. On the Suzuki GS’s, cam chain and guides are crazy expensive.
Looks like it won’t be until next week before I get time to open it up. I’ll post some pics. My goal is to have it built by Labor Day.

[Grimly]

As I said, it was running very well, just the valve cover gasket is leaking. How often do cam guides and chains wear out?
On the CX500 my son bought, the chain and guides are a problem but is a cheap repair.

Almost never, unless something goes wrong with the oil feed to the cams or the owner is a ham-fisted monkey who thrashes the bike every time it runs. Cam chains get subjected to accelerative stress like any other component, but in a bike that does lots of cruising miles, they go on forever.
I replaced the cam chain in mine simply because it was apart and might as well, kind of thing. I needn't have bothered If I was on a really tight budget, because the old one measured up as being barely worn.

[winmag4582001]

Almost never, unless something goes wrong with the oil feed to the cams or the owner is a ham-fisted monkey who thrashes the bike every time it runs. Cam chains get subjected to accelerative stress like any other component, but in a bike that does lots of cruising miles, they go on forever.
I replaced the cam chain in mine simply because it was apart and might as well, kind of thing. I needn't have bothered If I was on a really tight budget, because the old one measured up as being barely worn.

Thank you. That’s the kind of info I’m looking for. How often does the valve clearance need to be checked? The previous owner said he never checked them and put around 8k miles on it.

[cowboyup3371]

You should check them roughly every 4000 miles. If he's never checked them then you'll do well to do so now

[Brendan W]

If the bike has been idle for a length of time there could be a sticky layer of sludge on the oil pan/sump plate.
It might be a good time to consider dropping that and cleaning it and the oil pump inlet screen.
Check all the oil seals and clean the contact area for the main earth/ground strap.
Be systematic with the cover screws. There are different lengths so make note of what goes where.

[winmag4582001]

So I checked valve clearance.... For the most part they were all between .07-.08mm.
Except the two intake valves on the center cylinders. One was .13mm, the other .11mm. Both had a 2.60 shim, ordered two 2.65 shims.
Any reason as to why the two center intakes are set so wide? Cam lobes look completely fine and spring resistance feels good.

[Big T]

Previous previous owner used the wrong procedure to measure valve clearances.

Which method did you use?

Cam chain stretch has a spec in the manual. X length over y pins