Pulling Off My Clutch Cover

[ddaum]

Hi all!
Tomorrow I'll be pulling my clutch cover to polish and replace the gasket.
Is there anything that I should inspect while I'm in there?
Anything particular to look for?
The bike shifts just fine.
1980 GS550L, 26,000 miles, I've put ~600 miles on it since I've owned it.

[earlfor]

If the bike shifts fine, the clutch isnt slipping or anything, and the cover isnt leaking, why would you replace the gasket?

Earl

Hi all!
Tomorrow I'll be pulling my clutch cover to polish and replace the gasket.
Is there anything that I should inspect while I'm in there?
Anything particular to look for?
The bike shifts just fine.
1980 GS550L, 26,000 miles, I've put ~600 miles on it since I've owned it.

[BriTXbike]

B/C it would be easier to polish the cover when it's off the bike. I'll be doing the same here in about a month or so after I get all my new shiney parts in so I'm interested to know if there is anything to look for. Mine also shifts fine

[ddaum]

duh!?

If the bike shifts fine, the clutch isnt slipping or anything, and the cover isnt leaking, why would you replace the gasket?

Well, Brain answered your question for me. I said above that I was removing the cover in order to polish it. It makes the job a lot easier, and I have a brand new gasket to install, so it souldn't be a problem. Does anyone have any advice for BriTXbike and I?

[renobruce]

There's not much to look at or check unless you pull the clutch basket apart, which I wouldn't if you have no problems. Look for any metal shavings at the bottom and wipe the cavity out real good. Inspect the teeth on the clutch release rack for wear. Look for any cracks or wear on the clutch basket. Make sure your clutch cable is adjusted once back on.

[gke84]

pulling off my clutch cover

i pulled my cover off to polish it a while back.what a job, there was rust around the dowel pins,had to make some plastic wedges and tap all around the cover to get it off.took me a couple of hours to get it off,iwas afraid of breaking the cover.so my advice to you is put some anti seize around the dowel pins when you put it back on.

[vstan905]

Check the nut on the clutch basket to make sure it isn't loose. Other than that, just check for crap in there like the others said.

[mixongw]

I pulled mine off a few weeks ago to polish it. I put on a new gasket. Now it leaks near the botton. I guess I should have used a sealant.

[renobruce]

i pulled my cover off to polish it a while back.what a job, there was rust around the dowel pins,had to make some plastic wedges and tap all around the cover to get it off.took me a couple of hours to get it off,iwas afraid of breaking the cover.so my advice to you is put some anti seize around the dowel pins when you put it back on.

Mine was the same way. A bit of work, but the results are worth it!! :-D

Before:



After:

[Kabonkie]

Bruce, I don't care how many times I see that, it's just amazing how good looking that came out. Have you gotten it painted yet?

I was lucky with mine as they came off easily. And I'd just look for the particles floating around in there. If you see any large chunks, well lets just say that isn't a good thing.

[renobruce]

Bruce, I don't care how many times I see that, it's just amazing how good looking that came out. Have you gotten it painted yet?

Not yet. I'm waiting for the body shop to slow down. Lots of snow = lots of accidents! I'm dropping off my parts in about 2 weeks. Can't wait!

[Suzuki mad]

My only advice would be to watch where the screws/bolts came from. There are different sizes that go into certain holes. Put the wrong ones in and....BANG!!!!!.....can I have a new crank case MR Suzuki!

If you've got the original screws take care when using a screw driver or an impact driver removing the screws. Unless you want and originally restored bike replace the screws with stainless bolts or screws.

Stick some copper slip/ease on the bolts/screws going back in also helps. As the others have said before have a little look around for damage and small floating bit's.

With the gasket, clean all the mating surfaces on the crankcases and the clutch cover so that they are clean and free from old gasket. Original Suzuki gaskets may cost more but do seal against copies that normally need sealer. Having had to strip a GS(X)1100 engine to find it full of hardened lumps liquid gasket go easy on how much you apply to the surfaces. It can do loads of damage to the internals of your engine and leave you with an expensive repair bill!

Suzuki mad
1981 GS1000E
1983 GSX1100ESD In a lot of bits.

[ddaum]

Thanks for everyone's advice. I took the cover off today and the basket bolts were tight, and there was nothing foreign in the oil down there so everything looked good. I replaced the gasket with a new one from Suzuki and I already put in stainless Allen bolts a while back so they were good too. when I took it apart a plugged all the bolts into a piece of cardboard in order like a lot of people do. After a quick oil and filter change I went for a short ride and no leaks! Thanks

[daverx1]

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