Random Questions

[surveywaters]

Hey guys, my names Jon. I've got an '82 GS850gl in the shop. It's a friends basket case. I have everything together and it's running great now, but I have a few random questions. First, the center stand rests on the left muffler, is this normal or is there a stop missing? Second, is there a way to grease the swingarm without removing it? Finally, what pressure is typically run in the forks?

Thanks

[Maddevill]

There is usually a rubber stop that hits a pad on the pipe. Or maybe your pipe is bent up a bit. I don't remember seeing any grease fittings on the swingarm pivots, so disassembly might be required. I'm not sure about yours but most of the forks that require air don't take too much. 8-10psi? someone will tell me I'm full of crap I'm sure.

[surveywaters]

The pipes on this bike appear to be JC Whitney replacements. The center stand has no rubber on this bike and it is wearing retty bad on the pipe. A pic of the rubber or a bit more info would be great.

Thanks

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. surveywaters,

If you've got a custom exhaust you may have to come up with a custom solution. Have a look at the center stand and go to the hardware/auto store and get a rubber bushing that will keep stuff from banging around. I've used bushings like this on my side stand. You may have to find something a little larger for the center stand.



We tend to do all of our own maintenance around here because dealerships and bike shops that do good work on these old machines are very few and far between. With the information below you too can be a DIY'er.

If you are here you probably have a 30 year old motorcycle that needs about 20 years worth of maintenance. You'll find all kinds of helpful tips, procedures, manuals, diagrams, "how-to" guides, etc, in the links below. Let's get started.

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Here is your very own magical, mystical, mythical, mind-expanding "mega-welcome". Please take notice of the "Top 10 Common Issues", "Top 15 Tips For GS Happiness", the Carb Cleanup Series, and the Stator Papers. All of these tasks must be addressed in order to have a safe, reliable machine. This is what NOT to do: Top 10 Newbie Mistakes. Now let me roll out the welcome mat for you...



Please Click Here For Your Mega-Welcome, chock full of tips, suggestions, links to vendors, and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I've been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. Don't forget, we like pictures! Not you, your bike!

Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[surveywaters]

Thanks for the bushing tip, no problem with that melting?

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Thanks for the bushing tip, no problem with that melting?

I've never noticed them melting and making a sticky, gooey mess or anything. They will eventually wear out but they're cheap. I just replace them once in a while, ever couple of years or so.

What you really need for the center stand is #7 in the parts fiche picture below:



Part# 09321-10001. I think they are still available for a couple of bucks. If your new mufflers get in the way then you may have to come up with another solution.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[surveywaters]

Thanks a bunch. I don't see a hole there,surely that doesn't just stick on, that seems kind of iffy for a quality vintage Jap.

[bwringer]

You might be able to work some grease into them while assembled, but I believe you'd need to remove the swingarm to grease the bearings properly. Not as horrible a project as it sounds, actually.

Make SURE you find the appropriate section in the manual and follow these instructions carefully to set the bearing preload and position the swingarm correctly.

[bwringer]

Thanks a bunch. I don't see a hole there,surely that doesn't just stick on, that seems kind of iffy for a quality vintage Jap.

The hole for the rubber cushion would be part of the stock exhaust -- the cushion mounts to the exhaust, not the stand.

You mentioned it has an aftermarket exhaust, so no hole. Some aftermarket exhausts required removing the centerstand.

You'll need to improvise something else, perhaps by attaching a rubber bushing to the centerstand, assuming this is the part of the centerstand that hits the exhaust first.

[surveywaters]

Thanks guys, I think I've got the cushion figured out, I put 4psi in the forks and they feel about right, maybe a little stiff. The swingarm I think I'll put off a month or so. Now I took it for it's first ride in about twenty years yesterday. Runs great, accellerates nicely, just the slightest noticeable lack of power until about 3500rpm, and pops a fair bit while engine braking. This is a 1982 GS850gl, I set the pilot screw 2.25 turns out, anyone know the factory setting? I looked through the pilot setting thread but couldn't find this model, I saw the '80 but I think it's different.

[BassCliff]

Hi,

There is not really a "factory setting" as these screws were set very lean at the factory and then capped so that us mere mortals couldn't mess with them and violate EPA mandates. Your setting is close but all screws might not have to be set the same.

These are "idle mixture screws", "pilot screws" in the manual, and NOT 'air screws' or 'fuel screws'. Use the "Highest Idle Method" to set them. See:

Plug Chop and
Idle Mixture Adjust Methods
(by Mr. koolaid_kid,Mr. tkent02, Mr. psyguy)

Another way of setting them is to start with the screws too far out, too much idle mixture, and slowly turn them in until you hear the engine speed just start to decrease. Then turn it back out 1/8th turn. Do one cylinder at a time.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Steve]

There is usually a rubber stop that hits a pad on the pipe. Or maybe your pipe is bent up a bit. I don't remember seeing any grease fittings on the swingarm pivots, so disassembly might be required. I'm not sure about yours but most of the forks that require air don't take too much. 8-10psi? someone will tell me I'm full of crap I'm sure.

OK, "you're full of crap", but your information is quite accurate.

.

[surveywaters]

Thanks BassCliff, I have not done this on a four cylinder before. The method seems straight forward and precise. I'll get it right just as soon as I fix the #2 carb which decided to prop open all night losing about a gallon of gas and hydro-locking the cylinder. Time to pull the dang carbs, again, break it down and see what's up, as well as change my brand new $30's worth of oil that is now likely contaminated.

[surveywaters]

And see why the petcock isn't closing.....

[bwringer]

Thanks BassCliff, I have not done this on a four cylinder before. The method seems straight forward and precise. I'll get it right just as soon as I fix the #2 carb which decided to prop open all night losing about a gallon of gas and hydro-locking the cylinder. Time to pull the dang carbs, again, break it down and see what's up, as well as change my brand new $30's worth of oil that is now likely contaminated.

And see why the petcock isn't closing.....

Both issues have the same cause - mung in the petcock. It's getting into the carbs and propping the float needles open.

As with every revived GS, you need a new petcock.

And no, the rebuild kits usually don't work.