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Black plastic bits in oil

  • Thread starter Thread starter bantamangeltx
  • Start date Start date
B

bantamangeltx

Guest
First, thanks to all for posting answers to most of my questions before I asked them myself.
I have an '82 GS1100 I'm trying to revive with some success. However, today I found black plastic bits in the crankcase oil.
I have not been able to ride it much as I'm still sorting out all the problems. It seems noisey in the cases to me, but I've no example for comparison.
What could it be? What's the fix?
 
You say noisy and black plastic? sounds to me like one or both of the cam chain guides got britttle and broke.
 
propflux01 said:
You say noisy and black plastic? sounds to me like one or both of the cam chain guides got britttle and broke.
Click to expand...

Good call.
 
Kind of thought it had to be. So my patient is a rebuild cadidate?
Anyone know of a good shop near here?
 
I'll have to agree with the guides. If you have any mechanical apptitude you should be able to do the job yourself.
 
I'm not mechanically inept, but this would be a first for me and Clymers does not inspire cofidence as a guide.
 
You may surprise yourself and be able to fix this. If you take it to a mechanic it's gonna cost you a fair amount of money.

I think you will find there are plenty of folks in here that can help with advise. Most of it is pretty good too.
 
Bruce VanSant has the one time and final fix for gs cam chain guides..Look over at Van Sant Enterprises..He has a link in the dragbike.com classifieds.
 
Just be careful taking things apart and don't force anything. Read the manual or get better one if you need to. Take pictures as you go and be methodical and organized and you might be surprised at how it goes. Even if you have to buy a few tools it'll be cheaper than getting someone else to do it and the next project won't intimidate you as much. A friend of mine years ago wouldn't even do his own tune ups. I showed him a few small tips and now years later he has a collection of ten or so vintage bikes that he has restored himself. So don't sweat it and take your time. Look at it as new learning experience. If you get stuck there's always the GSResourses crowd.
 
I'm impressed with the support here on the site.
Thing is, I'm still freshly bummed as this problem just came to light.
And I don't know yet for instance what tools and parts I'm going to need.
I'm not broke, but cash is an issue. Should I lay out for more tools I hopefully won't need again soon or for (hopefully again) expertise?
I need more to go on than I've got right now.
 
If you decide to try it yourself, you should tell us what tools you do have and we can make some recommendations.

Sandy has good advise - be prepared. You will need to read and reread the manual. Be organized and take things apart slowly. Inspec all the parts and replace those that are defective.

Oh, and gsbill is right about those chain guides. I bought some myself - I love 'em.

I tell all my friends that if you want an old bike or car, you better become a mechanic. If you take them into a shop it will cost you more to own one in the long run than just getting new.
 
Thanks guys. You've got me rolling on my first task; Research. I'll post a new topic for this and continue there.
 
Do the work yourself and spend the money on tools. You'll certainly need them anyway, with a bike this old. The gratification level is quite high and you'll feel so good about yourself you'll have a huge smile on your face eevrytime someone compliments your bike. I know I do.

Besides, to have someone else do it will cost you much more than the tools. You can get a nice complete set of tools from Costco or Sams Club for around $60.
 
If you just have a few flecks of plastic as opposed to lots of chunks of rubbery material in you oil drain pan and your cam chain is not slappng and rattling...your engine will probably live many many miles with things the way they are. I get those flecks on both bikes. My Connie was a Garage Queen when I bought her and only has 28K on the clock. The engine is still tight. The 550 is coming up on 78K and is getting a little long in the tooth.
 
If you do the work yourself I'd recommend trying to find a Suzuki factory service manual, they come from time to time on ebay and at used book stores.

Used together with the clymers if you take your time you shouldn't run into too many problems.........

at least none that the fellas on this board can't help with.

As for tools, I tend to buy 'em when I need 'em, cause they will undoubtebly be useful either on your current ride, or on a different one later on.

Satch
 
The bits in question vary from tiny flecks to chuncks about 3/8" x 1/8" in size. And they seem to be proliferating.
 
bantamangeltx said:
The bits in question vary from tiny flecks to chuncks about 3/8" x 1/8" in size. And they seem to be proliferating.
Click to expand...

Bad news, that. I'd say guides, too.
 
I was not at all clear about tools in my earlier post.
I have the basics covered for the most part.
The Clymer manuel says replacing the guides is dealer work and "special tools" are needed. Are there indeed "special tools" required? I don't know how much wieght to give these statments. I've already torn into things Clymer says not to and the Earth has not shifted in its orbit.
 
propflux01 said:
You say noisy and black plastic? sounds to me like one or both of the cam chain guides got britttle and broke.
Click to expand...
There are actually three cam chain guides. The most probable one is the one that is used to control cam chain tightness ( long one on the intake side) Fortunately it is fairly easy to replace. www.aperaceparts.com has a replacement one that is very strong and will last for ever. The material used to make these guides is quite hard, and you said that the pieces in your oil were rubbery??
 
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