Rebuilt or Not?

[Guest]

I picked up a rough looking '82 GS1100E that will be used for parts.

It does run and seems much stronger than my other 'E and 'ES models. The seller mentioned that he thought at one time it had a kit installed.

So the question is how do I easily verify whether the block was been taken apart and rebuilt...are there any obvious signs from the outside that I can identify?

[Billy Ricks]

I picked up a rough looking '82 GS1100E that will be used for parts.

It does run and seems much stronger than my other 'E and 'ES models. The seller mentioned that he thought at one time it had a kit installed.

So the question is how do I easily verify whether the block was been taken apart and rebuilt...are there any obvious signs from the outside that I can identify?

Different carbs and exhaust are about the only outward signs and even that won't mean much. If it has mechanical carbs like VMs or RS flatslides it may indicate some engine work. Check valve clearances and see if it has aftermarket cams.

[focus frenzy]

can run a compression check also and see if the numbers come up higher than normal.

sometimes flukes happen, the stars line up the planets align and you get a motorcycle or a car that just runs way better than it should.

[76FJ55]

Try removing a spark plug and peering into the cylinder (using a small flashligh and mrror may help). see if the piston crowns are machined or cast? This may give you some idea.

[reddirtrider]

Send it to me. I'll let you know.

Everyone here has some good ideas. Another is to pull the clutch cover an look for straight cut gears. If you have them, then chances are substantial work has been done.

[rapidray]

The ONLY way to really KNOW what is in it is to TAKE IT APART! We can all play guessing games all day but if you want the truth (Can you HANDLE the truth? LOL!!) you really need to pull the head to measure the bore. Ray.

[Don-lo]

Awww, Ray, now ya got me thinking...., using trigonometry and a laser pointer and a fixed point above the spark plug hole...