World Tour on GS850, Help needed in British Columbia, CA

[49er]

If the diff is throwing oil out through the front seal, a small breather hole at the back of the pumpkin, on top and close the drive gear assy may have gotten blocked. When this happens, the diff becomes pressurised and forces oil past the seals. If you're running a high mileage diff, it may be just worn seals.

If you can locate a used stock set of clutch springs, just replace every second HD (not Harley Davidson) spring with a used one and button it up. You will find the clutch lever far more friendly, and no slippage at all.

Re-check your new clutch cable, making sure that the plastic sleeve that fits around the handle nipple is in place. If you don't use these, your cable will bind instead of rotating freely during clutch depression and break a lot earlier than it should.

[oshanac]

Good luck-what a fun time traveling on the GS (minus the repair problems of course). Where are you going in the US?

[shirazdrum]

Well you guys get the latest info before I update my website. Here is the rundown of what’s happening:
I can’t find any tires here in Prince George and the next place that has the size I need is almost in Vancouver. If I can make it to Vancouver, I might just make it to Washington and buy them there.
Rob from Cycle recycle is sending me my gasket and tach cable as soon as I find an address in WA.
I JB welded the valve cover gasket to stop the leak and it worked. It took forever to clean everything with brake parts cleaner and it kept oozing out oil for another ½ hour (didn’t want to drain the oil) but finally stopped the leak.
I replaced all the plugs with new fat plugs and the tire is holding air pressure pretty constant.
The springs are the least my worries now but it would be nice to change 3 of them to stock.
Rear is not leaking as bad; maybe it was just too full. I checked the level today and it was good so we’ll see how that does. It was never to a dripping point but annoying nonetheless.

I learned my lesson here; I’m taking a set of knobbies for off-roading and saving my road tires for road riding. More hassle but at least I have two sets of tires at any point. Tubed tires only too.
I’ll be in Vancouver on Friday and will stay there for a few days. Then head south for Seattle.

Thanks for all the comments, I updated the website again. Read on and see the pics: www.motorcyclememoir.com

I’ll keep you posted on what happens. Maybe this put an end to the tire plug debate for good :P

P.S. I washed and waxed mybaby today, she’s looking swell.

[Dogma]

Lookin' good! Except for that tire. Yikes! Pothole damage, eh? Honestly, I'd be nervous about damage of the non-leaking sort. I hope you can get another tire without having to ride far.

Have you considered a reusable silicone cam cover gasket (and breather gasket) from RealGaskets? I imagine you'll be tearing through the 4,000 mi valve adjust intervals pretty quickly and often. Several people on these forums (including myself) have had good results with them.

[Dave8338]

Don't push the tire. As soon as you can find a shop or source a tire and do it yourself, I would do it. Extra weight, miles to cover, and unknown speeds (freeway vs grid lock) all add to stress on a swiss cheese tire.

Don't want to read about "how you went down" as a result of a hacked up shoe...

Ride safe...

Dave

[mottyl]

"I’ll be in Vancouver on Friday and will stay there for a few days"

One day too late for me to be of any help to you. I am leaving for a week on Friday.

It would have been nice to meet you. Good luck on your trip.

You might want to try Modern Motorcycles for any old Suzuki parts. They can be cranky and the prices are more then the states but they have a fair amount of older parts. 604-876-0182

Chris

[ronin1166]

Chris,

PM & email sent.

Go easy on that tire. It's all you got.

- Ted

[sschering]

What is the planned route when you get into Washington?

Might be fun to post up on www.pnwriders.com
Loads of the folks on there would probably like to meet and ride with you through the North West

[salty_monk]

Have you considered a reusable silicone cam cover gasket (and breather gasket) from RealGaskets? I imagine you'll be tearing through the 4,000 mi valve adjust intervals pretty quickly and often. Several people on these forums (including myself) have had good results with them.

Like fighting spaghetti to fit, don't allow any torque on the head bolts, deform over time & start leaking - I would say they are good for 3-4 valve checks in my experience then they are junk. Given that you can get 3 from a stock (if you glue one side & grease the other) I'd say these are overpriced....

If it was silicon sandwiching a metal base plate they would be much better...

Dan

[bwringer]

Like fighting spaghetti to fit, don't allow any torque on the head bolts, deform over time & start leaking - I would say they are good for 3-4 valve checks in my experience then they are junk. Given that you can get 3 from a stock (if you glue one side & grease the other) I'd say these are overpriced....

If it was silicon sandwiching a metal base plate they would be much better...

Dan

Oh, phooey.

I've had the same RealGasket for at least 50,000 to 60,000 miles. Don't over-torque it and you'll be fine. (And don't use any solvents on it.) To install, roll up the gasket in two paper shop towels, then unroll in place over the engine and tear the towels apart to remove them. Easy-peasy.

They work great on the 8 valve engines IF and ONLY IF you can resist the urge to torque 'em down too much. And no, the bolts won't back out. Really. I've never lost a one.

I'll agree that RealGaskets aren't really good on 16V engines -- thinner sealing surfaces make it harder to keep the gasket from "squirting" out, and the thickness can mess up the tach drive.


To the OP, please let me know if you ever get near Indianapolis...

[shirazdrum]

Quick Update:

Found a tire in Williams lake, BC along with a tach drive from a GS1000 plus a cable.(my cable was broken inside the drive and wouldn't come out). everything works again now.
The shaft has stopped leaking, i guess it was too full.
My valve cover started to leak from the left side now but i'm riding it south regardless. 300k from Vancouver, BC. will be there friday morning.

I'm covered in oil but nothing too bad.

Chris

[bradleymaynar]

I'm covered in oil but nothing too bad.

Chris

Good water-proofing. Glad the ol' girl is holding her own!

Brad bk