the 550's got a new friend in the stable...

[byrdman76]

Picked up a Craigslist GS special today. Going to restore it over the winter.

82 GS450T

Probably going to leave it stock and get it reliable. Doesn't currently run, but then again most of the bikes I bring home never do.

I'll keep you posted on the progress. For right now its going to have to wait until the 550 is completed - Thats a whole other story...

Wish me luck - I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions.

Byrd

http://s170.photobucket.com/albums/u245/byrdman76/

[catbed]

how does that bike not run?

really good looking

how much did you get it for if you dont mind me asking

[Ironriot]

Nice looking bike. I like the seat. But come on, gonna leave it STOCK???? What's the fun in that? :-D I mean other than having a reliable bike that'll get great gas mileage

[TheCafeKid]

Thats another good lookin lil bike byrd...where do you keep finding them?? lol

[jimcor]

Tees are cool. 8-)

[byrdman76]

piston siezed up...

The cylinder walls look good but one of the pistons must be seized up. I had hoped that it was a starter or hydro-lock issue but unfortunately not. The head, cams, and tops of the pistons look fine. The cylinder walls are even shiny and rust free. I didn't go too crazy trying to push start it in case the previous owner had done something incorrectly to the bike. He had rebuilt the carbs right before this happened and replaced the starter as well.

Right now its sitting up with PB blaster pooled up in the cylinders. Its also stuck with one cylinder TDC and the other, the one i suspect is stuck, at BDC:-|.

Anyone have any good ideas on how to un-seize a piston - with the least amount of damage:-D.

[Ironriot]

The cylinder walls look good but one of the pistons must be seized up. I had hoped that it was a starter or hydro-lock issue but unfortunately not. The head, cams, and tops of the pistons look fine. The cylinder walls are even shiny and rust free. I didn't go too crazy trying to push start it in case the previous owner had done something incorrectly to the bike. He had rebuilt the carbs right before this happened and replaced the starter as well.

Right now its sitting up with PB blaster pooled up in the cylinders. Its also stuck with one cylinder TDC and the other, the one i suspect is stuck, at BDC:-|.

Anyone have any good ideas on how to un-seize a piston - with the least amount of damage:-D.

Shiny as in nice and pretty? Or shiny as in glazed. Because shiny isn't really what you want to shoot for.... I always thought that the pistons in these twins moved simultaneously (excuse my horrible spelling). And as for unseizing the piston you're heading in the right direction with the Blaster. Let it sit for a while. Chances are that its just them rings rusting themselves to the cylinder walls..... If your lucky that is.....

[jimcor]

Did the PO possibly screw up the starter installation? Not familiar with the 450's starter clutch etc. but sounds like that is probably not your problem. I'd take the starter off and check that out.

[byrdman76]

Did the PO possibly screw up the starter installation? Not familiar with the 450's starter clutch etc. but sounds like that is probably not your problem. I'd take the starter off and check that out.

That was my first inspection to see if the starter was installed incorrectly or a failed unit. I've heard of starters wanting to stick if they sit on the shelf long enough. everything was fine.

There was a bit of oil in the stator area and actually in the physical stator, maybe a teaspoon or two - is this normal? Haven't ever needed to tear one down in this direction and it seemed odd.

I've torn the bike down to the cylinders (removed the head). The clutch assembly is still intact, but the transmission spins freely in neutral so I'm assuming its fine. It was a little tight however.

I'll let it sit up for a few days and see what happens.

Thanks for the help guys.

[TheCafeKid]

Ive only had to pull the stator cover off of a couple of bikes, fortunately for me, but every one ive pulled has had a lil bit of oil in it, i think its pretty normal.

[byrdman76]

24hrs later and its still locked up...

I posted this in the technical forum - a little bit more detailed.

Let me know if you have any suggestions.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=117884

[jimcor]

Yeah, the stator is in an oil bath for cooling, perfectly normal to have a bit of oil drain out of the case.

[byrdman76]

Got It Free - Yessss!!!!!!

The issue wasn't with the pistons... The P/O had some how gotten the timing chain wedged to bind the crank. He most hove done this when he removed the carbs and the cam chain adjuster.

The motor turns over free as silk and the cylinder walls look great. I filled the cylinders with 10-40 and turned the motor over repeatedly to ensure.

I removed the clutch assembly and was able to get a large wrench on the crank. I reversed direction of the motor and pulled on the cam chain at the same time. Popped the motor right loose \\/.

Glad i didn't go crazy trying to push start it.

So there it sits until I get done with the 550. I just couldn't stand not knowing what was wrong with it:-D

I'll keep you posted...

[byrdman76]

BTW Thanks for everyones help and suggestions.:-D

[jimcor]

Good! Not having to fool with the bottom end and split cases is always excellent news! :-D