Another Aussie GS rebuild - GS1100G

[JimmyR]

Good tip! Thanks. Yup I torqued everything with my new (and bloody expensive!) torque wrench. I had bought a cheaper one but I don't think it actually worked. I'm tipping oil over everything as of course there is no oil on these newly cleaned bits. So I'm getting there. I have the chain all set up per spec and feeling quite pleased with myself for getting everything perfect.

[JimmyR]

Isn't it typical - you have one good day then one terrible day. Today was the crap one. Got absolutely nothing useful done. My day job is very slow right now - all year work has been terrible, so I love having this project to give me something to do and feel like I've accomplished something. Not today.

Spent all morning faffing about trying to get the valve clearances done. Nup. No closer now than when I started. When they did the valves they obviously didn't take enough off the tops so now even with 2.20 shims there is no gap.

So I went to Suzuki to get some parts that came in. I thought well at least I have bought some new spark plugs today. Well I did, but none that fits my bike. They gave me the wrong ones. So I went to collect my tank and fender but surprise surprise they haven't even gotten around to blasting the fender. Nothing was ready.

So there goes my weekend. I know things could be a lot worse but today has just been extremely frustrating. I guess all it means is that next week will be much better. Tonight I will do some beer testing.

[john82q]

Hi Jimmy,

Not a answer, more a question.

So the valves are too long, what do you propose to do?

a) strip it down again,, you may or may not need new gaskets..
b) grind the tops in place with a dremel,,, very brave...


thinking out loud for you John

[nikosg]

I think you're thinking of the guy with the 450E... Collo I think? He seems to have disappeared...

Oh, and it was the Modern Motorcycle Company I believe...

Pete mate,
im dying to see your rebuild thread but for some reason my computer won't load threads that are that extensive with posts..... do i need to change some settings or something or am i forever dooooomed?!?!?

[landshark]

Sorry mate, no help here, just feeling the frustration cause we have all been there. I will never do a frame up rebuild again unless i have another bike to ride, sometimes you need to just go ride.

[JimmyR]

Thanks guys. I think extreme beer testing will help tonight. John, I think I will see what 2.15 shims do, otherwise I will be taking the head off and asking the machine shop to reduce the valve tops for me at no extra charge. I would rather not but I obviously want to do it right. No way I'm cutting corners at this stage. It's only a bike and now it's raining here anyway.

Maybe tomorrow I will try to replace the lower bearing race in the steering head. That sounds exciting! I am making a tool to help me remove the old one. I don't have a welder otherwise I would weld it out. Today I cut out a split circle of steel that I will try to install just above the old race so I can knock it out from above with a drift and a mallet. I'll let you know if it works.

[john82q]

Jimmy,

you just need a piece of 1/2 rod with a nice square cut.

it will grip the top of the shell by about 1mm but thats enough,
work around while you tap from the top...

[JimmyR]

Yeah I tried something like that but couldn't get enough bite on the edge. I'll get it out somehow. Thanks!

[pete]

Jimmy, sometimes times like this just suck... extreme beer tasting is always an excellent way to get your mind off it

Considering there's a certain brewery within your vicinity that brews several excellent beers I reckon you should be all set

I still suggest the horribly frustrating way of taking the valves back to be tipped some more... I guess I lucked out that the head shop I took mine to tipped them a similar amount to the face they took off.

Pete mate,
im dying to see your rebuild thread but for some reason my computer won't load threads that are that extensive with posts..... do i need to change some settings or something or am i forever dooooomed?!?!?

Bugger! There's some settings you can change in the User CP in the "Edit Options" section that affect how threads and posts are displayed, so maybe try changing some of them? Maybe more posts per page or something?

I am aware my rebuild thread is embarrassingly long

Sorry mate, no help here, just feeling the frustration cause we have all been there. I will never do a frame up rebuild again unless i have another bike to ride, sometimes you need to just go ride.

Tim, 100% with you there! No way will I do that again either... at least Jimmy still has his Harley while the Zuk's off the road

[JimmyR]

I think I just needed to vent, as they say in the States, or have a whinge as we say here! It's just a motorbike and I'll get it sorted.

Extreme beer testing is going well. I have found the need to augment it with advanced single malt appreciation. Laphroaig quarter cask is amazing. While Pete is right about Little Creatures I have developed a relationship with James Squire's ales, esp the 150 Lashes.

One idea I had about this bike was how cool would it look with a natural leather covered seat? That is something I may explore. I think it would complement the natural rubber grips really well, and be a little unusual. I don't like for things to be predictable.

[landshark]

Just to try and make you spend some more money Jimmy, you know you can get a throttle with internal cables to match your electrics.

[pete]

I think I just needed to vent, as they say in the States, or have a whinge as we say here! It's just a motorbike and I'll get it sorted.

Extreme beer testing is going well. I have found the need to augment it with advanced single malt appreciation. Laphroaig quarter cask is amazing. While Pete is right about Little Creatures I have developed a relationship with James Squire's ales, esp the 150 Lashes.

One idea I had about this bike was how cool would it look with a natural leather covered seat? That is something I may explore. I think it would complement the natural rubber grips really well, and be a little unusual. I don't like for things to be predictable.

Single malt? Mmmmmm tasty Haven't tried that one before, I usually stick with Glenlivet or Glenfiddich when I get them as presents... and occasionally a Johnny Walker green label.

I still prefer the Little Creatures over the James Squire so far but haven't tried 150 Lashes, must see if I can get one to try...

I like the natural leather idea, that would be cool!

Just to try and make you spend some more money Jimmy, you know you can get a throttle with internal cables to match your electrics.

Now that would finish it off nicely!

[JimmyR]

I did think about the internal throttle! AFAIK they only work with one cable though, and I really do need the second cable with the RS36s. I might try one on my Harley though - can I say that here? :-)

[JimmyR]

Oh, and Pete - Laphroaig Quarter Cask can be hard to find and is very strongly flavoured. Not for the faint hearted! I got a couple of litre bottles (!) when coming back from overseas as it is so much cheaper duty free and easier to find - at least in Perth - in duty free shops than bottle shops.

The trouble with good scotch is that once you have tasted the good stuff it's hard to go back to the cheaper stuff. Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Tallisker etc have spoilt me so now I have trouble with Glenfiddich etc. Lagavulin is a big fave of mine. Soooo smoky.

As far as beers go, I like Little Critters but find that they all taste very similar. The 150 Lashes is great, and if you can find some on tap it's even better. The Squire Four Wives is excellent too. I recently discovered a great NZ pils - Hop Rocker. Love it.

[pete]

Oh, and Pete - Laphroaig Quarter Cask can be hard to find and is very strongly flavoured. Not for the faint hearted! I got a couple of litre bottles (!) when coming back from overseas as it is so much cheaper duty free and easier to find - at least in Perth - in duty free shops than bottle shops.

The trouble with good scotch is that once you have tasted the good stuff it's hard to go back to the cheaper stuff. Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Tallisker etc have spoilt me so now I have trouble with Glenfiddich etc. Lagavulin is a big fave of mine. Soooo smoky.

As far as beers go, I like Little Critters but find that they all taste very similar. The 150 Lashes is great, and if you can find some on tap it's even better. The Squire Four Wives is excellent too. I recently discovered a great NZ pils - Hop Rocker. Love it.

Thanks for the heads up Jimmy, the only way I get good scotch is for presents but I haven't had one for a while so might need to drop some subtle hints

Interesting on the beer though, I find they taste pretty different myself but horses for courses right? Will definitely have to try more James Squire though as I've only tried one or two so far.

Don't think I've seen Hop Rocker but will keep an eye out for it...

Don't forget we're not quite so cosmopolitan here in Brissie like you fellas are in Freo... hahahahaa