GS gurus.....

[jn6967]

Ok guys and gals, I got another one for yaa......

I am no expert but I would not consider myself a rookie either. I have used and moved several shaft driven bikes and none has been as difficult as my 82 850 GL. I have checked the brakes and it is NOT binding up or holding it back. The front tire is not holding it back, it freewheels easily.
So, what should I look for? What are possible causes and/or fixes? Is this normal for these bikes? I cant believe it is but have to ask.
As always, thanks for the help.

Jon

[bigal]

hey mate , i have a 79 gs 850 and a vn 750 both shaft , they both roll along with minimal effort , looks like your gonna have to do some investigating.

keep us posted .

al

[DanTheMan]

Check the tightness of your wheel bearings. If the axle shaft nut was overtightened it can cause binding of the wheel bearings.

[bwringer]

Check the tightness of your wheel bearings. If the axle shaft nut was overtightened it can cause binding of the wheel bearings.

Or if a spacer is missing -- there's the usual spacer between the bearings in the rear wheel (probably OK since it's captive), and another spacer that sits inside the final drive. This spacer can fall out and get lost whenever the rear wheel is off. I don't think it's possible to reverse it, but you never know.

[Dave8338]

Not to sound like a smart ar$e but...are you sure that the bike is in neutral? As mentioned, if the spacer washer is awol things won't turn.

Did you just get the bike and find the problem? Something that just came on?

[piester]

my 850 was much harder to push than my newer 750. i thought it was the brakes or wheel bearings. turns out im just a weekling

[Steve]

Well, gravity is against all of us 850 owners.

Regardless of how all the bearings spin, the 850 was the heaviest GS that was made, except for the fully-dressed GK.

The brakes drag a little and the shaft drive doesn't always free-wheel easily, it all adds up.

.

[jn6967]

Not to sound like a smart ar$e but...are you sure that the bike is in neutral? As mentioned, if the spacer washer is awol things won't turn.

Did you just get the bike and find the problem? Something that just came on?

Yes, it's in neutral. first thing I checked, I didn't want to post here and find out it was in gear.

I got this bike frm a buddy of mine and it needs some tlc but the price was right (tickets to a Buffalo Sabres game). It hasn't been run in about 4-5 years before I got it. I did not move very easy when i brought it home but i thought "brakes or maybe things are just stiff from sitting". I checked to make sure evrything had oil (rear,crankcase,etc.) charged the battery, put plugs in it and it fired right up. I took it around the block for a quick shakedown. But things still feel "stiff". I can move it but it does not roll easily. You can't sit on it and roll it back or frth from the drivers seat.

I'll check the wheels bearings, etc this weekend and see if anything is ooutta sorts.

Thanks for any and all help.

[KitKat]

just a question....

are you able to push/pull it sitting in the drivers seat if the bike is running and your pulling in the clutch, while your stationary?

[jn6967]

Well, gravity is against all of us 850 owners.

Regardless of how all the bearings spin, the 850 was the heaviest GS that was made, except for the fully-dressed GK.

The brakes drag a little and the shaft drive doesn't always free-wheel easily, it all adds up.

.

I agree, gravity and friction can be nasty. However I have rolled Goldwings around that were ALOT easier to move. My Shadow is lighter, yes, but the GS can not be THAT much heavier. My buddy's full dressed CB 900 rolls like a dream. There has to be something wrong, this is not right. Now I just have to find it....

I think I'll just take the back tire off and rebuild everything back there, I was hoping I wouldn't have to but it needs tires and while I am here and have it apart, I might as well....... You know how it goes

I knew the 850 was heavy but i did not know it was the heaviest next to the GK.....cool, learn something new everyday

[jn6967]

just a question....

are you able to push/pull it sitting in the drivers seat if the bike is running and your pulling in the clutch, while your stationary?

THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION, and it got me thinking. While I was out on the shakedown run, I noticed that there was not very much play it the clutch cable. Grabbed almost instantly.

I will try that out as soon as i can, unfortunatly I have some parts on order that will prevent me from starting it for at least a week. I'll try it and report back. Thanks man, thats the great thing about forums like this....gets your noodle cooking.....

[KitKat]

if you can't start it for a while...


you could try pulling the clutch in while not running even still in neutral and see if that helps, and then try the other gears while still not running with the clutch.

if any of these things makes it easier then you have pinpointed your problem to the clutch basket and everything inside of it, haha, at least your honing in

[jn6967]

if you can't start it for a while...


you could try pulling the clutch in while not running even still in neutral and see if that helps, and then try the other gears while still not running with the clutch.

if any of these things makes it easier then you have pinpointed your problem to the clutch basket and everything inside of it, haha, at least your honing in

Ok, I am going to try pulling in the clutch while I spin the rear tire. and i am going to cross my fingers that I DO NOT have to look at the clutch basket. That would make this "cheap" bike less "cheap".....arrrgghhhh.....

Oh, and you sound like my wife, laughing at my misfortune.....

I should either go to bed or go work on the bike.....

Not ever having been into a motrcycle clutch basket but having a very good understanding of car clutches,, Why should it matter if the bike is in neutral?

[KitKat]

another thing just popped into my head.

if your plates grab instantly you should take em apart and clean em. and if theres little movement you should try and adjust them with the adjuster on the countershaft sprocket side of the engine. There should probably be a little rubber piece or something protecting it from the elements.

hope this makes sense...

[JordansCycles]

moving your bike

a gs 850 weighs about 550 pounds. youre trying to tell me its hard to move? maybe you need a honda express :>