First time GS1000 owner

[850 Combat]

I bought a real clean 650 Seca a while back which turned out to have bad steering bearings. i was dismayed to discover that they were loose ball bearings.

The Seca has superior paint, fit, and finish than my GS's do, and some nice features like a built in lock I'll never use, and a prop rod for holding the seat up. I appreciate that Suzuki spent money on more important items in lieu of the Yamaha features.

[Octain]

It's got tapered bearings now. I'm sure they're not worn out, front end wasn't loose and those bearings hardly move at all. I'll take a better look at them after I clean them. I am glad I pulled them. Didn't this thing come with tapered bearings?

You're correct they dont move much but there sure is a lot of pressure on em. I know you're nearing the end and dont wanna wait for more parts but the stem bairings are easy to forget about. Many dont do em(Chuck) but for me and mine it was one of those "while I'm there" kinda moments. I enjoy the peice of mind.

[Flyboy]

I agree, I would do them, they are not that expensive and the things are 30 years old, when I stripped mine out, they looked ok, but checking closely, the outter race was hammered full of grooves from the rollers, my bet is you will find the same.

[FLHGSRay]

I'd bet there is a cheap, auto store replacement. I guess All Balls has a kit. I'll call the dealer tomorrow. Sometimes they surprise you. Looks like a Chevy front wheel bearing set.

[FLHGSRay]

Great! Now I'm convinced I need the All Balls neck bearing and wheel bearing sets. Good deal, less than $70 total.
Part #s
Neck: 22-1004
Frnt: 25-1147
Rear: 25-1270

[FLHGSRay]

Finished the carb rebuilds. O-ring kits from http://www.cycleorings.com/intake.html worked great. Decided to reuse the old stem bearings, they looked good so I cleaned well and regreased. May do wheel bearings and stem bearings this winter, after I make sure everything else is solid. Got the cam cover off to check the valve clearances. Probably put the front end back together tomorrow, sort out the headlight wiring, and strip off the old tires.

[FLHGSRay]

New tires arrived today. Considering buying decent tire irons and hand mounting. Got the front end together and sorting out wiring. I hate those #¿%+ing blue plastic wire splices that cut through the insulation (and 1/2 through the wire). Got to remove & solder 4-5 of them from the Windjammer and aux brake light installation. 6 of the valves are at .003-4 in, got 2 at less than 3. Gonna get some 1&2 shim stock today to measure those last 2. Can only give this project 1-2 hrs a day, so it's going slow.

[TheCafeKid]

New tires arrived today. Considering buying decent tire irons and hand mounting. Got the front end together and sorting out wiring. I hate those #¿%+ing blue plastic wire splices that cut through the insulation (and 1/2 through the wire). Got to remove & solder 4-5 of them from the Windjammer and aux brake light installation. 6 of the valves are at .003-4 in, got 2 at less than 3. Gonna get some 1&2 shim stock today to measure those last 2. Can only give this project 1-2 hrs a day, so it's going slow.

But it's all progress good sir. Head down and carry on, it will get done the proper way from what I'm seeing. Congrads.

[FLHGSRay]

Ordered cam cover and breather gaskets and half moons today, dealer quoted me a price of over $135 for shim tool. Told him I can get it from Motion Pro for $15. He ordered from MP for me. Got all new fuel and vacuum lines ready. It's all coming together soon.

[FLHGSRay]

Drove 75 miles this morning to look at an exhaust system that the salvage yard described as "pretty nice". Complete junk. Lots of dents and a couple of weld repairs. Not even the correct system, although it was from a 4 cyl Suzuki, so it may have fit. I'll never understand why a person would do that. Did he think I wouldn't look at it, and just hand him the money? No way to earn a repeat customer. Wanted $150 and I wouldn't have given $20.

[Octain]

Drove 75 miles this morning to look at an exhaust system that the salvage yard described as "pretty nice". Complete junk. Lots of dents and a couple of weld repairs. Not even the correct system, although it was from a 4 cyl Suzuki, so it may have fit. I'll never understand why a person would do that. Did he think I wouldn't look at it, and just hand him the money? No way to earn a repeat customer. Wanted $150 and I wouldn't have given $20.

Happens all the time. One mans "perfect" isnt usually my "perfect".
I usually ask em if it's "show" quality then go from there.

[FLHGSRay]

I was only hoping for "better" than mine. Not about to pay big money to make it look worse. I think after I get the thing going, I'll look at aftermarket mufflers.

[FLHGSRay]

Believe it or not, I have never had an o-ring chain. PO said the chain was brand new, which seems to be the case. But it is extremely funky from sitting. Looks like he lubed it well and it has collected a thick layer of whatever. Should I just wipe it off and submerse it in chain oil for a while? Chain is off bike.

[Octain]

I'd just clean it with soap and water then relube it with the light lube of your choice just to keep it from rusting.

[mike-s]

I wouldn't use soap, i'd just use a brush soaked in kerosine, etc and give it a light brush down to remove any clumps of gunk and then use an old rag and pull the chain through it by hand to get rid of anything the brush missed. Then give it a light spray to stop it rusting until you fit it to the bike.

The reasons i was against soap is I figure that soap may possibly stay in there and continually break down any oils that come in when you try to oil/lube it.