Any asbestos used in the GS?

[Bolwell]

I am looking to export my 1982 GS1100GL to Australia where they have strict rules on no asbestos in vehicles. Do you know if any asbestos material used in these bikes? I have changed the brake pads and clutch to modern non asbestos material already

[Redman]

You moving to Austrailia? Or just selling a bike?

[Redman]

On working on my 1100GK (same engine as 1100GL) and the 850G that I had, I came acrost these.

#8
called a "connector" but is more like some fibre material gasket between the pipes. Is cylindrical, fits in mullfer pipe, and then the exhaust header pipe fits into it.
the original seemed more like cloth fibre that had turned hard. A little bit of it came out in chunks and shards and pieces like threads, but most of it was like cloth. I wondered if the original were asbestos since I had seen what that looked like in power plant boiler piping insulation from the 1950s and 60s.

New replacement "connectors" I got were more like steel wool metal mesh.

8	14771-49001
	CONNECTOR, MUFFLER

Some body would have to dissasemble stuff to even see them.

[Redman]

here is more about that, made from a posting of mine a few years ago.

http://gsarchive.bwringer.com/storagecliff1/images/Replacing_Exhaust_Connectors.pdf

.

[Bolwell]

Thanks for the replies, yes I was planning on removing the exhaust to check on what was inside. I’m moving and taking the bike with me.

[Nessism]

Screw the bureaucrats. I wouldn't pull the exhaust system just because there is a chance that the gaskets have some asbestos in them. What would you replace them with anyway? Not to mention the header bolts love to break off unless extreme care is exercised. There are countless threads here describing the gory details.

[bwringer]

The original exhaust gaskets seemed to be made with mica, but I have no idea if they contain asbestos.

Unless there's a way to test for asbestos, it might be worth a few bucks to replace them. Heck, the bike might even run better!

[roeme]

Dunno, the exhaust wrap I changed on my Guzzi could be mistaken to contain asbestos due to the powdery residue.

It's actually basalt.

[Cipher]

Wwould these not have have been imported to Australia in the original production run?
I sincerely doubt Suzuki used different pipe gaskets for different markets.

Why would not this be grandfathered in?

Let sleeping dogs lie. If it6s asbestos which I doubt it cant hurt anyone in place.

[GregT]

Thanks for the replies, yes I was planning on removing the exhaust to check on what was inside. I’m moving and taking the bike with me.

Wwould these not have have been imported to Australia in the original production run?
I sincerely doubt Suzuki used different pipe gaskets for different markets.

Why would not this be grandfathered in?

Let sleeping dogs lie. If it6s asbestos which I doubt it cant hurt anyone in place.

The OP has a valid cause for concern. Australia has got rather silly re asbestos and imports.
He's got to declare asbestos content as less than a specified % - and if they prove him wrong it's fines or confiscation - and destruction.

The guys taking race bikes to Oz - even on a carnet guaranteeing they will not stay in OZ - are having trouble so his permanent stay will be looked at quite hard.\

Non asbestos clutch plates are a must - as is the invoice for them.....they'll ask to see it.

[Scottmotorsports]

Take the country's entry orders very serious, they will win. Here is a site that I'm sure will have information for you or will be a good place to ask the question. https://expeditionportal.com/forum/

[xkaes]

There are instruments that test for asbestos in household/factory/building/etc. air. These are very common, but I don't know where you could find one. You could call your local health department or a company that deals with asbestos abatement. I suspect that they could check it pretty easily and cheaply.

Who know how Australia checks for asbestos in imports. I suspect they use one of these asbestos testing instruments. After all, it's not important if the imported item has asbestos -- it's whether or not it escapes into the air. That's something you can easily test for.