'79 GS850 Cam shaft cover removal?

[officerbill]

Oil Leaks! Last year the leak wasn't too bad, this year it is leaving a puddle the size of a silver dollar everytime I stop. The oil is leaking out of the left front corner of the cam shaft cover. I've read about stuck bolts and how to beat them, but I need from start, step by step instructions about cracking this cover. One instruction started off with; Step one, remove engine see fig. 1-3. Is it really required to go that far to change a gasket?
Thanks for your help,
bill

[rapidray]

You will have NO problem pulling the valve cover with the engine in the bike. More importantly, have you bought a SHOP MANUAL for your bike yet? If not DO SO!!!!! Ray.

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!

Hi Mr. officerbill,

You'll find lots of GS850G lovin' on my website. Let me roll out the welcome mat for you...

Please click here for your mega-welcome, chock full of tips, suggestions, links to vendors, and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I've been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. Don't forget, we like pictures! Not you, your bike!

Check the "Valve Adjustments (8 Valve)" guide for removing the valve cover. Download a manual for your bike while you've visiting my website.

Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[officerbill]

cover

Thanks for the help.
bill

[hampshirehog]

Bill - put aside a month to scrape off the old gasket if it's not a recent one. Seriously, it won't take that long but it is a real PITA and you'll need to allow a few hours I suspect.

[SqDancerLynn1]

Easy to remove, take the breather cover off first. Then you will have room to remove the cam cover. May have to tap it with a RUBBER mallot to get it to come free. AND yes cleaning the gasket off can be Bi%ch

[officerbill]

cover

Thanks, Carbs, air box, tank and seat are off. Looks sort of naked. Read the books about removing the cover and most start with after the engine is off the bike! Didn't want to get deep into the project and find out Suzuki was right and take the engine off. So often this happens on those "simple" projects. Will be digging into the old girl soon, Thanks for you input,
bill

[officerbill]

cover off

Well, it came off easy, I got worried, the old gasket came off fast, I got real nervious. Now, I'm ready to put it back together, howerver I'll bet there is a trick to this. It can't be as simple as shove the bolts back in the holes and torque away. Nothing is ever simple, even when it is easy.
bill

[tas850g]

it really is that easy. I did mine last summer. I used the Real Gaskets from Tn. for the cam and breather cover gaskets. Made out of red silicone. I don't have their website but use the search function here and you'll find it.

[bwringer]

You DID check the valve clearances while you were in there, didn't you?

Of course you did.

Right?

[Nessism]

You DID check the valve clearances while you were in there, didn't you?

Of course you did.

Right?

Sadly, many riders never adjust the valves on their bikes, which can lead to burned valves - particularly the exhaust valves. This is doubly sad when you realize that changing the shims on a GS bike is extremely easy.

The first photo shows what a properly adjusted valve will look like. Note: the valve has a bright shinny metal ring showing where the valve seats to the head.

The second and third photos show some typical exhaust valves that were overdue for an adjustment. There are not burned yet, but would have been soon. These came out of a parts bike but are typical in my experience in bikes that are neglected.