Clutch parts for 82 850G

[john S]

Where are you buying clutch parts in the USA (friction plates, steel plates, Springs, etc.) OEM parts? Most places I've looked sell only the friction plates. I would think the steel plates and springs should be replaced also. Many online vendors don't go back to 1982. What about cross reference to other models or brands of bikes. I would think many bikes use identical clutch plates, springs, etc.I see some vendors are using a "cork" based friction plate material, is that any good? Any feedback on your experiences would be appreciated, Thanks.......John S.

[catbed]

basscliff has a whole list. bikebandit.com and flatoutmotorcycles.com are just 2.

[john S]

Thanks catbed I'll Check them out.
I see your Dad (Pops ?) has an 03 Heritage Softail. I have an 03 Heritage Springer. My 82 GS850G I've had since new I now use it for work to save gas. My Harley fits my old body better than my old Suzuki with the low bars. The lower handlebars on the 850 causes my hands to go to sleep after about 15 min or so. It's hell getting old!

[bwringer]

Just replace the springs with new OEM (and the clutch cover gasket) and you'll likely find that your clutch problem is solved.

It's quite rare to find that the clutch fibers or steels actually need to be replaced unless someone has abused the clutch for a loooooooong time, especially in an 850.

You can get the fibers aftermarket (Vesrah is one good brand), but the springs and steels are OEM only through your favorite Suzuki parts source. There are aftermarket heavy-duty springs out there, but they are not needed -- they're only good for building your grip strength.

[john S]

Thanks for the info. I'll probably just replace everything since I have it apart and the cost in not that much. Unfortunately I can't make the GS rally as the following week I'm already scheduled to go the Kentucky State "HOG" rally. HOG as in "Harley Owners Group". It would be nice to take in a GS rally sometime and see all the nice Suzuki GS's. You don't see too many old GS's around N.E. Ohio especially clean ones.

[Steve]

Yeah, even though you already have it apart, you want to spend $20 for springs or $140 for springs and fibers? In these days of higher-priced gas, I would go with what works (springs) and put the other $120 in the gas tank, and that seems to be about $15 at a time. :shock:

.

[BassCliff]

Hee Haw Howdy!

Hi Mr. john S,

Hopefully this will answer some of your questions. It's your very own mega-welcome! \\/

Dear fellow GS rider,

Let it be known that on this day you are cordially and formally welcomed to the GSR Forum as a Junior Member in good standing with all the rights and privileges thereof. Further let it be known that your good standing can be improved with pictures (not you, your bike)!

Perhaps you've already seen these, but I like to remind all the new members. In addition to the carb rebuild series, I recommend visiting the In The Garage section via the GSR Homepage and check out the Stator Papers. There's also a lot of great information in the Old Q&A section. I have some documentation on my little BikeCliff website to help get you familiar with doing routine maintenance tasks (note that it is 850G-specific but many tasks are common to all GS bikes). Other "user contributed" informational sites include those of Mr. bwringer, Mr. tfb and Mr. robertbarr. And if your bike uses shims for valve adjustments, send an email to Mr. Steve requesting a copy of his Excel spreadsheet that helps you keep track of clearances, shim sizes and other service work.

These are some edited quotes from one of our dear beloved gurus, Mr. bwringer, with ideas on basic needs (depending on initial condition), parts, and accessories.
***********Quoted from Mr. bwringer************
Carburetor maintenance:

Replace the intake boot o-rings, and possibly the intake boots. Here's the procedure:

http://bwringer.com/gs/intakeorings.html

Here's an overview of what happens with this particular problem:

http://cycleorings.com/intake.html

You'll also want to examine the boots between the carbs and the airbox. There's a good chance these are OK, but check them over.
And finally, if things still aren't exactly right, you'll want to order a set of o-rings for BS carbs from the GS owner's best friend, Robert Barr:
http://cycleorings.com
Once you receive these rare rings of delight, then you'll want to thoroughly clean and rebuild your carburetors. Here are step-by-step instructions that make this simple:

http://thegsresources.com/gs_carbrebuild.htm

***********************************
Every GS850 has (or had) a set of well-known issues that MUST be addressed before you have a solid baseline for further troubleshooting. It's a vintage bike, and it's quite common (as in, every single GS850 I have had contact with) that there are multiple problems that have crept up and slowly gotten worse over the years. It's not like a newer vehicle, where there's generally one problem at a time.

These common issues are:

1. Intake O-rings (install NEW OEM or Viton only - common nitrile O-rings will quickly deteriorate from heat)
2. Intake Boots (install NEW -- these cannot be repaired)
3. Valve clearances (more important than most people think)
4. Carb/airbox boots
5. Airbox sealing
6. Air filter sealing
7. Petcock (install a NEW one)
8. On '79 models, install new points or Dyna electronic ignition (or at least verify that the old points are working correctly)
9. On all models, it's fairly common to have problems with the spark plug caps. These are $3 or $4 each, and often worth replacing if you're keeping the stock coils/wires.
10. Stock exhaust with NO leaks or holes -- good seals at the head and at the junctions underneath.
***************************************
OEM Parts/Online Fiches:

I would definitely double and triple the recommendations to use Cycle Recycle II and Z1 Enterprises as much as possible. These guys are priceless resources. Z1 tends to have slightly better prices, CRC2 has a wider range of goodies available. If you're near Indy and can bring in an old part to match, CRC2 has a vast inventory of used parts.
http://denniskirk.com - Put in your bike model and see what they have.
http://oldbikebarn.com - seems to be slowly regaining a decent reputation, but it's still caveat emptor. They don't have anything you can't get elsewhere at a better price anyway.
http://www.babbittsonline.com/ - Decent parts prices. Spendy shipping. Don't give you part numbers at all. Useful cross-reference if you obtain a part number elsewhere. Efficient service.
http://bikebandit.com - Fastest. Middlin' prices. Uses their own parts numbering system to obfuscate price comparisons -- can be very confusing for large orders. Cheapest shipping, so total cost usually isn't too bad.
http://flatoutmotorcycles.com - Slow. Cheapest parts prices, crazy shipping costs. Don't expect progress updates or much communication. Real Suzuki part numbers.
http://alpha-sports.com - Exorbitant parts prices. Different type of fiche interface that's quite useful at times, especially with superceded part numbers. Real parts numbers. Shipping cost and speed unknown due to insane, unholy pricing.

Stainless Bolts, Viton o-rings, metric taps, dies, assorted hard-to-find supplies and materials, etc:

http://mcmaster.com - Fast, cheap shipping, good prices. No order minimum, but many items like bolts come in packs of 25 or 50. Excellent resource.
http://motorcycleseatcovers.com - Great quality, perfect fit (on original seat foam), and available for pretty much every bike ever made. Avoid the textured vinyl -- it's perforated.
http://newenough.com - You DO have riding gear, don't you? Great clearances, always outstanding prices and impeccable service.
***************End Quote**********************
Additional parts/info links:

GSR Forum member Mr. duaneage has great used upgraded Honda regulator/rectifiers for our bikes. Send him a PM.
New electrical parts:
http://stores.ebay.com/RMSTATOR or http://www.rmstator.com/

http://www.ricksmotorsportelectrics.com/index.php

http://www.electrosport.com/

For valve cover and breather cover gaskets, I recommend Real Gaskets (reusable silicon):
http://www.realgaskets.com
The Rice Paddy (salvage/used)
http://www.ricepaddymotorcycles.com
Carolina Cycle
http://www.carolinacycle.com
Ron Ayers Motorsports
http://www.ronayers.com
MR Cycles
http://www.mrcycles.com
Moto Grid
http://www.motogrid.com
If all else fails, try this:
http://www.used-motorcycle-parts.org/
Used bike buying checklists:

http://www.amadirectlink.com/roadride/Riderresc/checklist.asp

http://www.clarity.net/~adam/buying-bike.html
Lots of good info/pictures here:
http://www.suzukicycles.org

http://www.cyclechaos.com/wiki/Motorcycle_Wiki

Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed of your progress. There's lots of good folk with good experience here.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
(The unofficial GSR greeter)

[chef1366]

I buy my OEM parts here

I'm from the Canton-Akron area (Canal Fulton)
But I went West.

[psyguy]

there are fibers on the fleabay for $50
not sure of the quality though

[john S]

Wow! Thanks to all for all the great information. I'm going to check the spec on the friction plates and possibly go with just the springs since the friction plates are 8 X $12.50 apiece at my Friendly Suzuki dealer about 18mi away. BTW I've been a member of GSResources in the past but since some of my visits are more than 6 or 8 months between visits I guess my account got purged. I'll have to keep in closer contact from now on