80 GS850GL Tach Problem / Oil leak

[djscottymiami]

Hi guys.

Bike has 50,000km on it. Just pulled out of storage on friday for the first time in 3 years. Fired up with new plugs and a newly charged battery. A few issues with the bike:



1- The tach doesn't really work. When you start the bike, the tach goes up very slowly to 3-4k rpm and moves up and down slightly (but VERY slowly) if you rev it (even while driving). Could this just be the tach cable? How do I take it off and clean the cable or even check to see if it's working properly? If I need a new cable, where can I get one?

Is it difficult to take it off and clean or lube the cable? The previous owner said that it worked when he parked it, so I hope it's nothing major.


2 - There seems to be a little bit of an oil leak. Looking at the front of the bike, there's some oil coming from the fins right infront of the motor (near below the exhaust pipes). Any ideas? Doesn't seem to be that bad yet but I want to fix it.


a minor issue is the fuel economy.. but I think that'll get better as the bike gets used.. it got 160km to 3/4 of a tank of fuel... i thought a bike would have been a bit better.



The tach issue is the one that bothers me the most. The bike seems to run alright but I'd like to get the tach working.



Thanks for the help.

- Marc

[BassCliff]

Hi Mr. djscottymiami,

Check out Mr. bwringer's guide for replacing the tach cable seals: http://www.bwringer.com/gs . This is a very common repair. To be sure where the leak is, clean the area well and spray some power around, something like foot powder. Then go for a ride. You'll see the leak. The tach leak is kind of tricky because it can look like the leak is somewhere else.

Take the cable off, spray a lubricant in both ends. WD40 is OK, a silicon lubricant is better. Some folks hang up their cables and let oil drain all the way through. You may wish to remove your instrument cluster, turn it upside down, and spray a little lubricant in the cable junctions too. Keep us informed.

Fuel economy? Valve adjustments and carb cleaning/tuning/syncing are just about the most important. New plugs? Sealed airbox? Change all of your fluids, crankcase, bezel gear, final drive, even brake fluid.

Do you have a Suzuki Shop Manual? Check out my little BikeCliff website.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[catbed]

i greased my cable with moly grease and used 3 in 1 household oil in the tach itself, in between the female connector and the sleeve it spins in. works better now, much smoother.

[djscottymiami]

Is the cable difficult to remove? I'm not very mechanically inclined but i'm not all thumbs either. Is it as simple as disconnecting it on both ends and spraying the cable with lubricant?

[chuckycheese]

Easy

Is the cable difficult to remove? I'm not very mechanically inclined but i'm not all thumbs either. Is it as simple as disconnecting it on both ends and spraying the cable with lubricant?

It's harder on some models than on others but it's very easy on your bike. You may find that your leak is coming from the connection between the cable and the valve cover. If so, it may just be loose or the gasket may be worn out. If it is, the number is 09289-05002 (I'm looking at one on my desk). It's easy to install.

[catbed]

Is the cable difficult to remove? I'm not very mechanically inclined but i'm not all thumbs either. Is it as simple as disconnecting it on both ends and spraying the cable with lubricant?

yea, when you remove the cable, you pull the inner cable out of the jacket from the engine side of the cable.