stuck motor

[tom]

I have a 1981 GS850 that has been sitting up and the motor is stuck. Can it be freed up without tearing it down? Its been sitting up for 17 years. I would like to restore it.

[flyingace]

It depends on the reason it's stuck.

[Jared]

Was it stored inside in a relatively dry area?

Put some penetrating oil in the cylinders and let it sit for about a week.... Some recommend a mix of Something like Marvels Mystery oil, Automatic tansmission fluid(ATF) and kerosene....(1/3rd each I think..)...

I've heard just use ATF from a few different people... Any good penetrating oil should do... ( I magine heating the stuff up a little might help too..)

Keep about a half of an inch to an inch of the oil etc sitting on the piston ( keep it like that for a week- maintaining the level ). Put her in gear an try to bump it a little...in both directions ( or get a wrench on the crank...)..

Don't try to get it spinning, just get it to move a few degrees and then go a few degrees the other way and then let it sit again with the oil on it to let in penetrate some more...
Patience is the key.... take a few days of gradually getting it to move and you might salvage it...


This is all assming the engine is just stuck from long term sitting.

Do a google search - I"m sure you'll get a few results.


Good luck

[flyingace]

Yep - is it stuck because it's sitting or sitting because it's stuck. I would follow the above advice if you don't know. Marvel oil is great for this kind of thing.

[jimcor]

If the penetrating oil doesn't work then try plain old white vinegar.

[tom]

Its in a barn out of the weather. The motor is stuck in gear and the rear wheel will not move. Thanks for the advise and quick replies.

[Jared]

The shifter wont move/ feel like it shifts at all? The rear wheel not turning may be the brake caliper stuck...but sitting for 17 years...it could be whats left of the grease has petrified...

The latter is likely but take a block of wood and rap on the caliper...or remove it from the bike and see if the wheel will turn... Tapping the caliper will sometimes shock the slides loose and let the wheel turn...

How's the rest of the bike look by the way? Inside of the gas tank rusty or good? mice living in the airbox....?

[tom]

The shifter moves freely but just want change gears. I didn't think about the caliper being stuck. The gas tank doesn't look good. I didn't check the air box. Wireing looks ok. About two weeks ago I put some transmission fluid in the cylinders but haven't checked yet. Going to check it this weekend. It looks ok but needs some work.

[flyingace]

Does the bike roll with the clutch in? You may be able to shift it into neutral once it's moving. Once you've got the bike in neutral, you can determine if it's the engine or clutch/trans by spinning the engine with a large wrench.

[DaveDanger]

I echo the white vinegar suggestion if it does turn out to be the rings crud-stuck in the cylinders. I've done that and it does work. I will make no attempt at explaining why

IF... pulling the clutch in does allow the tranny to move a tiny bit, try and shift into the highest gear possible. Rolling the bike a bit and releasing the clutch while in high gear provides the best leverage torque to help move the crankshaft.