GS 1000 engine clean

[cregulator]

I bought a 78 gs1000 about a week ago its my first bike. I've never really worked on any motorcycle before but I really wanna take the whole engine out and clean the outside and make everything look real nice. I don't know much but bikes I really wanna learn. Would doing
This be a very big mistake or would I learn or thing or two?
Thanks a lot guys.

[koolaid_kid]

Personally, I would go ahead and run through everything in BassCliff's megawelcome first. Charging system, wiring harness, ignition system, carburetors, brakes.
This will get you familiar with the bike and motorcycles in general. I would certainly not start by removing the engine from the frame.

[sedelen]

You would definitely learn a thing or two about a thing or two, alot of it not good. Such as stuck bolts in the exhaust manifolds, carb and airbox boots that come off but don't so easily go back on. I think you should start by cleaning the engine on the frame. Try not to use anything harsh
as it will stain and yellow your plastic coated side covers. Do as much reading as you can before you attempt to tear down anything. There's a
service manual on BassCliff's site along with an owners manual.
I think the '78 GS1000 is an very fine machine to have, they're increasingly hard to come by. Excellent choice, my favorite.

[cregulator]

thanks for talking some sense into me. im just getting excited and real anxious. i wanna do everything to the bike all at once.

[Nessism]

Personally, I would go ahead and run through everything in BassCliff's megawelcome first. Charging system, wiring harness, ignition system, carburetors, brakes.
This will get you familiar with the bike and motorcycles in general. I would certainly not start by removing the engine from the frame.

Some good advice here.

I recommend removing the carbs and rubber intake boots for a O-ring replacement, and valve cover for a valve adjustment. The engine is easier to clean with the carbs off too.