1982 GS1100

[b717doc]

Was recently "given" an 1982 Suzuki GS1100 from a co-worker. Indicating 17,700 miles on odometer, and says its "just worn out". Well, it has brand new tires installed on front and back, beautiful dark purple gas tank and side plate (missing one) but has a severe oil leak from the cylinder base gasket between #2 and #3 cylinders. Head light inop, all turn signals missing, seat good, but missing bumpers, and suspect some type of "grap bar" is missing also from seat area. Has Kerker "Supertrapp" 4 into 1 exhaust, and will need a new Yuasa battery. Removed valve cover, disconnected timing chain, removed both camshafts, removed cylinder head, removed cylinder assy to reveal torn gasket (LOADS of fun!!!). Pistons have NO side play at either end of connecting rods, very clean inside, will replace rings while I'm in there. All timing and valve train components appear virtually un-worn, and cylinder walls are as smoothe as new. Very happy with condition of engine so far...Bought clymer off e-bay, should be here this week. Battery voltage at idle =14.6vdc, but no electrical load (lights), should be o.k. Carbs disassembled and soaked (like new now), have no idea how to synchronize them.....I have a few questions at this point.......Where and how can I buy just the cylinder base gasket, head gasket and valve cover gasket without buying the entire $130 engine gasket set as a whole? Anybody know where I can get rings cheaper than $41 per piston ($164 total)?, and should I pay $90 to have a local shop "sync" my carbs, or attempt to do them myself? Also, anyone know of a good "junk yard" for these bikes in the Southeast USA? (Atlanta, Georgia)....Thanks in advance for your input......will share tips or turmoil......

[Carter Turk]

I recall buying a top end gasket kit for less than the full kit, I think from Vesrah. I recently bought a bottom end kit for 12 bucks (cometic) from Bike Bandit. It included 4 gaskets but not the base gasket.

I'm in the N.W., but have bought parts from Steve's Cycle in Tifton Georgia. Seemed to have a lot of stuff.

You can buy the gaskets seperately from a dealer or find a discount dealer in back of a mag.

[gspaul]

Well the price was right! To sync the carb's is not hard.
You can buy the tool for less than you will be paying them, and you WILL be balanceing them more than once!
Sound's like you could end up with a good bike, just ask question's as you go.
Good luck!

[b717doc]

Yeah Carter,

Talked to Steves yesterday, he has most of the parts, but he is EXTREMELY expensive ($35 for a rearview mirror). E-bay not much help either.....thanks....

[Carter Turk]

The square plastic backed superbike mirrors cost about $30 for both. Unless you were going for that period look.

[jpaul]

Try here for a gasket kit. $83.00 for a complete set.

https://www.partsnmore.com/motorcycle-gasket_sets.php?make=suzuki&category=gasket_set

I bought a syncronizer from JC Whitney last year for $50. It isn't a hard job to do. Definately not worth $90.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Product/tf-Browse/s-10101/Pr-p_Product.CATENTRY_ID:2004169/showCustom-0/p-2004169/N-111+600003528+10211/c-10111

[b717doc]

Thanks a million guys......you made my day!!! I now have everything except the piston ring sets.....they looked o.k., but I bent one of the compression rings when i installed it....should I replace all the rings at $41 per piston???

[KGB]

Try Orient Express.
I got piston rings and valves from there at about 1/2 the factory price.

[gsBert]

replacing gaskets is a waste of money im told. paint them with a thin layer of high temperature aluminium paint between all the slices, (with a brush) the paint squishes out when you torque the bits together and the seal is strong.

please dont flame me with paint chips in the oil posts. i heard the tip from the guy who built my engine and he makes a lot of sense. the alum color paint makes it very easy to detect oil leaks too...

the guy who jsut told you this is also telling you that 41$ is good insurance, you want your rings to seat properly, dont forget to hone your cylinders so they wear in right. its just advice make what you will of it.

[b717doc]

Why would replacing gaskets be a waste of money....I have NEVER reinstalled or replaced a cylinder or cylinder head without replacing the gaskets.....

[gspaul]

Bert I have heard of this somewhere before ,but I do not remmeber,.perhap's you could give us more of the detail's.
Thank's Bert!

[gsBert]

here's all the details i have:
were talking about the head and block gaskets here
paint it with high temp paint (use something shiny and light in color)


- remove your old gasket
- clean it thoroughly
- paint it lightly, with a brush, get thin layer of paint between all the gasket sheets
- assemble before paint dries compeltely
- when you install it, torquing the bits squishes the paint providing a perfect seal in your new old gasket.

the trick seems to be to use just the right amount of paint, not too much, not too little. dont ask me for details aboutwhich brand of paint, i dont know (try metallic engin paint), i do know that that's how my engine was built, the only leak i have is at some rubber gasket which im too lazy to replace right now. compression's just fine, and oil leaks would be real easy to spot on the shiny paint.