1980 GS850L Almost done, needs some help

[KingWombat]

So getting her all ready today, realized I may have a somewhat stripped drain plug on the pan side. I have the bolt that was in it when I got it, I can shove it freely in and out and it has a blue plastic piece on it, no idea how it was holding to begin with. Secondly I purchased a replacement drain plug from a 1980 GS850GT, it threads but gets about 70% and looses it. In the future I plan to replace the oil pan but are the any cheap fixes or temp fixes till then?

Once again thanks BikeCliff's website.... its got it all lol

[KingWombat]

Looking for advice at this point, Should I;
Install a piggyback drain bolt and test my new alternator installation, SH775 R/R, Carb Clean, and compression.
Or Remove my drain pan and get a Time Sert Installed/ threads re-drilled?

[alke46]

If I were doing it, I would go ahead and fix the drain pan now and be done with it.

[KingWombat]

Thats all I needed to point me in my next direction, now is this pan going to come off with out the exhaust pipes coming off....

[KingWombat]

Well due to some pan dings a couple of the hex bolts are dented, so as I look for a new pan I decided to go the piggy back route for now. Cut new threads with a greased over sized piggy back, cleaned all shards as I went, JB welded the threads. Tomorrow I will be attempting the compression tests and then starting the engine if all goes well!

[KingWombat]

So just because I have to destroy any ideas otherwise, what are my compression readings supposed to be across the 4 cylinders if i don't have any spark plugs in?---- so getting a eletrical problem the only the ground thats not connected used to run from the chasis to the R/R, Im going to try reconnecting it tomorrow and see if it gets better. !st the cable leading to the brake light got really hot, then next attempt the old ground from battery to cable harness hot really hot as well if anyone has any tips they'd greatly appreciated

[KingWombat]

So 1st run of compression tests I got 60 across all 4 and some random grounds frying out. After some adjustments I got 90 across all 4, then once again some random electrical errors. A previous owner has added all kinds of grounds soldered into the wire harness, and a extra cable to the right blinker. I've orderd a replacement wire harness because its gonna be easyier to work it back to the diagram then figure out whats going on with these extra grounds burning out.

[Steve]

Those numbers are a bit low, but they are also on a cold engine that has not been run for a few years. If they are all even (+/- 10% or so), make sure the valve clearances are all good (should have done that before the compresssion test) and run the bike.

Don't worry about having no spark plugs in during the test, they should all be removed anyway. If the carbs are on the bike, the throttle needs to be held wide open. If the carbs are still sitting on the bench, even better.

What part of this big blue marble do you call "home"? There might be somebody close enough to stop by and lend a hand.

.

[KingWombat]

Sandy Oregon is where I live. currently carbs are clean, empty and in the bike, I didnt know that I need to hold throttle open (big thank you on that!). It has run and driven in the last 4 months, then I started the overhaul. currently I,m getting a ground burning out that feed from wire harness to battery and upon further inspection theres allot of strange additions from a previous owner that I'm going to undo with a replacement wire harness. Valve clearance is one of the next to do unless I decide for the front end rebuild

[Steve]

Sandy Oregon is where I live.

Feel free to take a few moments to update your profile with that info.
There are several members up in your corner of the country, not sure how many of them might be within "striking distance".

While you are updating your profile, add a short signature that mentions your bike.
That way, you won't have to remember to mention it when you ask questions.
Does not have to be as fancy as what some of us have, just mention what the bike is.

Valve clearance is one of the next to do ...

Then feel free to take advantage of the offer in my sig.

.

[KingWombat]

Well at this point carbs need a rebuild, I killed the carbs O-Rings with a carb dip, (I already own rebuild kits and spare O-rings for em), Valve Clearance will be attempted this winter with a educated car mechanic helping the process, and the last odd issue is my right blinker stays on and has extra wires attached into it and the harness. No easy process but I'm going to see this threw till the end
So if theres anyone in the Portland area willing to help I'm offering cash
(If I'm breaking any rules offering cash for service I sincerely apologize, My goal is to get this amazing bike to a optimal state)

[gustovh]

Hi KingWombat, welcome to the forum, I live in Vernonia and can give you a hand if stuck. Just drop me a pm and I'll send my ph#.

V