GS 550L Gets a make over

[pete]

Haha sounds like fun... think my wife might think me a little strange though if I grab one of the cats and do that... don't wanna think what the neighbours would think though! Might have a little white van rock up...

[psyguy]

I now have three valves that pass clearance.. unfortunately that still leaves me with 5 that don't.

You can use the thinnest shim in there as your benchmark and move it around to measure gaps on all remaining 5 valves and then buy appropriate shims from those measures.
Due to the imperfections in measuring/reading the gaps and thicknesses you are not likely to get it perfect at first try, though.

[Redneck]

I will order shims this payday which happens to be wednesday, but for now I have ordered a regulator rectifier suggested by one of our prominent members. It is the FET type, I have also ordered my o-rings for the carbs, which the last one is now in the dip. Tomorrow I will pick up some self etching primer and VHT paint so that if the sun ever decides to show its face again I can paint the carbs. Woot Woot. Of course I still need to order a micrometer to measure the floats. Or I can go see if home depot or lowes has one. Went to motorcycle shop to get my tire pulled from the rim and low and behold they are closed on Mondays. Isn't that just my luck. Anyway progress is still being made. I still need to decide how I want to do the electronics too. Oh man things are starting to come together.

Paul

[pete]

Man I'm happy to see you're making some progress, don't it make ya' feel good?

Once you get that valve cover back on there'll be no stopping you!

[Hoosier Daddy]

If you want to save a little cash, I have always set float height with a 6" pocket scale (ruler) that measures down to 1/64th's... not a mic.

[Redneck]

May have to look into that Hoosier...

Well got my fork seals in the mail yesterday, got my tire off my rim, and picked up some fork oil. Also found a dealer who will let me by specific shims an if they don't work he said I can return them. Sweet deal. Now I just need to order the shim tool so I can start swapping em out. Unfortunately I was too worn out last night to get anything done. I am hoping tonight I can get the forks together and installed back on the bike. Thats it for now.

Paul

[pete]

Sounds like a plan! But my personal recommendation is use the cable tie method, it was such a breeze for me I didn't even think about tracking down the tool.

It seriously makes replacing those shims so easy...

[Redneck]

Do you have a link to that method or can you give a quick explanation..... I will check Basscliff's site quickly also.

Thanks
Paul

[pete]

BassCliff's site is where you'll find it

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/images/valve_tool_zip_tie.pdf

Just make sure to use a nice big cable tie so the valve can't cut it.

[Redneck]

Thanks Pete I did not find it when I looked for some reason and did not get a chance to last night. Appreciate it.

Paul

[pete]

No probs Paul, sometimes you need that second pair of eyes...

[Redneck]

Air shocks or no

Okay have fork oil and a way to measure it. now the question is do I use the shock bolts with the Air stem drilled into them or just use the regular shock cap? What would the difference be?

Also goodies in the mail. Mr. Barr's o-rings came in so I am boiling the carb bodies tonight. Then I will begin taping them for paint. I have the self etching primer and two cans of VHT Paint. Looks like my PC source has dried up so I am going to paint the rims with Caliper paint. Probably put VHT on the center stand also. That is the plan let us see how far we get.

Paul

[psyguy]

now the question is do I use the shock bolts with the Air stem drilled into them or just use the regular shock cap? What would the difference be?

air caps allow you to fine-set your suspension by adding air pressure to suit your requirements. most folks on this forum do away with air assistance and install better springs instead.

on other markets the forks came with caps that have 3-way spring preload adjustment. is that what you're referring to as "regular" caps?

[Redneck]

I believe so. My shocks are the stock 1979 shocks

http://www.cyclepartsnation.com/pages/OemParts?aribrand=SUZ#/Suzuki/GS550L_(1979)/FRONT_FORK/02650001/5602650038

can't put that picture up at work but I will take some photographs when I get home. I wanted to last night but my escapade with my son to find a do it yourself carwash took all night and ended up with no success.

But I think I will go with the air stems and try them out if I don't like it I will simply put on the stock ones.

Thanks for the info Psyguy.

Paul

[Redneck]

You know if it is not one thing it is another. I went to put the forks in the triple trees yesterday and it appears the Powder coat is to thick to allow the shock to slide up on one side. I had to pry open the other side to get it in but I got it in. The other side still does not want to go. So I am going to take the little honing tool I have and try to thin it down with that.

Paul