engine tempeture,how hot should it be?

[tconroy]

after riding 16 miles my bike seemend hot,so I licked my finger and touched the top fin by the spark plug and it heated up quick.Is this normal?The outside temperature was 85 today and the humidity was unberable,also how do you know how hot your engine is.I dont have a temp gauge in my 83 gs 650.All i know is it was hot on my legs!

[Anonymous]

Well, it should be hot enough to boil water. So, the wet-the-finger test results you specify seem about right. I think that oil temperatures over 200F are expected, and 230F pretty common.

[Guy]

If it smells hot, and your headers are blue, it's too hot.

[tconroy]

engine tempeture,how hot should it be?

well it doesnt smell hot it just feels hot. My exhaust has no discoloration at all. I just bought the bike and havent rode in years so I really forgot how hot they run. I guess its ok though.No loss of acelleration thats for sure! Im new to this websight and will use it often. Thanks guy's!

[SqDancerLynn1]

It sounds fine you just have to remember you have a toaster oven between your legs

[focus frenzy]

these air cooled bikes tend to run rather hot when compared to a water cooled car engine (or bike engine) 230*F is fine

some of the later GS have temp gauges and there are aftermarket gauges that show the oil temp. they screw into the main oil gallery plug on the right side jhust below and behind the cylinders.

[tconroy]

bike temp

After changing the oil and cleaning the inch of road dirt off the engine and getting a new air filter,oil filter,plugs it is now feeling and running smoother.'The guy I bought it from rode it and never cleaned it or anything else besides change the oil so it was a heck off a project thats still far from done!!Thanks for you help and advice, GS bikes rock!!!

[duaneage]

You'll find the 650 to be a cold natured bike generally, slow to warm up. In traffic it does not seem to overheat, I shut it off if it seems like a parking lot is forming because I don't like getting my legs cooked.

[tconroy]

parts and gas tank

where do you get parts for your 81 gs 650, and how do you remove the gas tank? All my other bikes never had a gas gauge on the electronics. Is there something to watch out for when you take the tank off or do you just unhook the fuel line ands the bolts under the seat?

[duaneage]

I bought another one for parts and keep it all in my crawl space under the living room. The dealer is actually not too bad for some things, eBay is always good and this forum has been a big help. The Gas tank has two 10mm bolts at the rear that come out and then you pull it back and off. Make sure the gas is NOT on PRI and remove the fuel line first

[tconroy]

gas tank

so there is just one fuel line to disconnect and thats it.Then the gas gauge must be operated by magnetic rather than electronic?I had a magnetic fuel gauge in the last boat I had but Ive never has a bike with a gas gauge.thanks alot!!!!Now I can get to the coils and wireing to clean them. This sight is great!!!Everyone answers my question and someday I hope to be able to return the favor!!!