79 GS850- It's REALLY alive, but 2 small problems

[dbarnes42]

First off, I would like to thank everyone on this website for their help. I would be completly lost without the expert advice of everyone on here. I have a 79GS850, completely stock except for a Dyna S ignition. My orighinal problem was the #3 pipe wasn't getting hot. After dipping the carbs for 24+hours, rebuilding them with new o rings, putting new intake boots and o rings on, synching the carbs, sealing the air box, adjusting the valves, adding the Dyna and doing the coil relay mod, this bike is FAST and all 4 pipes get hot. I am getting about 40 mpg at 75 mph on the interstate. I plan on doing the plug chops today just to make sure everything is ok. My 2 small problems are this: I have a leak around the oil drain plug. Any fixes for this? Second, I have a Vetter fairing and the mirrors vibrate pretty good. I have used the rubber pad that came with the mirrors and used rubber washers on the back side. But they still vibrate. So any good fixes for this? Once again, thansk to everyone for their help! I love this bike!!!

[Nessism]

The bike did not leak when new so yes, there is something you can do about the oil leak. First thing is to figure out what is leaking. Clean the engine really well and watch the area to pinpoint the leak source. If the drain plug is stripped, auto parts stores sell self tapping oversized plugs. Take your old plug to a good auto parts store, like Napa, and ask for a self tapper. Regarding miror vibration, I have no clue. Sorry.

Good luck and glad to hear your bike is running well. It's always nice to hear about someone that went though the trouble to do all the proper maintenance on their bike. Good job.

[nert]

If the oil pan drain bolt is in good condition , threads, etc. You may just need a new sealing washer. You can get OE washer from Suzuki, Bike Bandit, etc. Look carefully for crack in oil pan at drain pan bolt thread are. Fortunately, the oil pan can be removed and replaced.

Are the mirrors on your handlebars, or on the Windjammer? Are you using OE mirrors.
The 850 should be very smooth. Occasional buzz at a certain RPM range. Explain more.

[dbarnes42]

The oil leak is definetly around the plug. There isnt a crack on the oil pan and I have already replaced the gasket so I will try the oversize plug. As for the mirrors they are mounted to the fairing itself. The vibration isnt bad just annoying. I might just live with it.

[nert]

If its tight, and the threads hold fast, keep in mind its the washer that seals, not the threads. Do not install a self tapping oversize drain bolt if the threads are good. The washer makes the seal, both against the pan and against the head of the drain bolt. Make sure there is no teflon tape or other "Stuff" impeding the drain bolt installation.

The Vetter is going to vibrate. What model fairing is it. The mirrors should be on the handlebar, brake and clutch perches. Do you have photos?

[dbarnes42]

I don't have pictures yet, but I will post some soon. I was planning on changing the oil tomorrow anyway, so I will take a look at the threads on the pan itself. I have the windjammer III on it. It came with the bike so I left it on. I have actually grown very fond of it. I will keep you posted on what it looks like. The shop where I live wanted to put a Heli-coil in it but I am a little leary of doing that.

[nert]

Heli-coils are good! They replace stripped damaged threads, (in this case aluminum threads) with stainless steel threads. And because the tap is bigger to accept the Heli-coil insert, the attaching surface area is greater and therefore stronger. Then the insert returns the thread size to standard. And since the new threads are now stainless steel, they are stronger. As you remove and reinstall the drain pan bolt, for oil changes, the wear ability, is much greater with a stainless steel insert. If the standard threads are damaged, a properly installed Helicoil is a far greater, quality repair over a oversize/thread-taping pan bolt.

Vetters are good. I am a fan. However, I would look into standard mirrors on your bars thou. Blurred vision on a motorcycle is not something you want to depend on when making potentially life saving maneuvers.

good luck

[chef1366]

Try a crush washer on the oil pan drain bolt.

[SqDancerLynn1]

Vetter never mounted mirrors on the faring. Either get some stock type mirrors to mount on the bars or you could get bar end mirrors. That will fix the vibes. If you have the pan heli coiled make sure it is put in with a perminate type locktite

[dbarnes42]

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I pulled the oil pan off and the threads in there were messed up pretty good. I took the pan to a machine shop and they were able to fix it in about 10 minutes. No more leaks. I didn't know that Vetter never mounted mirrors on the fairing. The mirrors were mounted on the fairing when I got it, so I thought that is where they were supposed to be. I will get some that attach to the handlebars and I will just need to figure out what to do with the holes in the fairing where the exsisting mirrors are.