expat2000

I learned a long time ago that any time you screw something into these engines the torque wrench is a must!

Ok, thanks for all the advice. I'd discounted helicoils already as getting the holed drilled and finding a helicoil that size and then its a bit of a bodge really. Safer to just get a replacement sump. I did look at Timeserts but again the cost and time factor and difficultly in drilling it at home ruled that out vs getting another sump. Pulled the sump off this morning, and about half the threads were just gone. Previous helicoil repair was in multiple pieces. Found this at my local motor factors place, its actually designed to be used without a drill, you just run the tap down the existing hole. Goes from M14x1.25 to M15x1.5 thread. Not much of an increase so plenty of metal around the hole still. (Not sure why it comes with 6 drain plugs) Thought its worth a punt for £20, worst case I scrap the sump pan and have to buy another one, which is where I was anyway. I have to say for a cheap and fast fix it woked remarkably well. Slow and steady with tap using a T-bar and 11mm socket (?) and the new thread looked good. New drain plug with copper washer, correctly torqued up without drama. All back together now and seems to be oil tight after running it up to temperature. Just need the snow to melt now and I can get out on the road.

Hi all First start up after winter of my 85 GSX750ES cafe racer. Started on the button after sitting for 5 months in a sub zero garage in Norway (down to -20 some nights). Ran it for 20 minutes to warm it up for an oil change, drained it, changed filter, all good. Spinning in the drain plug, by hand, and it goes a bit tight then loose....backed it out and the threads come with it. Looks like its gone previously and been helicoiled. ARSE! So options seem to be oversize plug or new sump, quite a price difference as I can get the oversize plug for £20 locally (with tap) or wait a couple of weeks for a replacement sump from the UK (£50 price, plus £20 postage plus £20 import duty). So has anyone gone down the oversize plug route, recommended or not? Also I'm assuming I can take the sump plate off without removing the engine from the frame? Just a case of getting the exhaust off first? Cheers.

I think we can put thsi one to bed, ran the bike again today and no more smoke / steam from the breather. Seems like it was condensation after all. Thanks for your help though. Cheers, been a few years in the making from the hot mess that it was when I got it, quite pleased how its turned out. New 4 into 1 fitted now, which has dropped quite a bit of weight over the standard system. Shorter swingarm planned for next winter as I think the back wheel looks way to far back after everything else has been shortened. Will be interesting to see how it affects the handling. :-)

First time out after winter season today as most of the snow has gone. Have only run the bike a few times over winter and never for a prolonged period. Whilst getting some photos before setting out I noticed a plume coming from the engine breather hanging below the engine. Photo is attached and a link to the video. Not sure if it's oil smoke or steam (air cooled engine). I'm thinking either oil / combustion vapours / pressure getting past the rings or, if I'm lucky, steam from condensation in the engine after sitting in an unheated garage for 6 months with temperatures down at -20. Was fresh oil and filter in the motor today. Any thoughts on how to proceed? Bike is an 85 GSX750ES. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-dVrwk9hsiuj4g-qr1mViVa8VrAAPUiM/view?usp=drivesdk

I put the whole front end from a 97 SRAD 750 on my 85 GSX750ES. The forks are slightly shorter but thats compensated by the 17" front wheel so the overall height of the front is pretty much the same. Lots of measurements and calculations on paper lead to: Wheelbase reduced by 10mm Rake steepened from 27.8 to 27.5 degrees Trail increased from 105mm to 117mm due to smaller offset on the yokes. Overal handles very well, dialling in the suspension settings makes a huge difference, much more than the fork swap, IMHO, can go from very stable and heavy to very unstable and flickable. Worth it for the adjustablility and the feel of the front suspension and the brakes are awesome. Tyre choice is so much better as well. Needs a head bearing swap and the headstock is longer so I am not using the 2nd locking ring below the top yoke. Lockstops needed changing as well.

Winter work is progressing in my frozen garage. Just fitted a 4 into 1 exhaust, headers and collector from an early GSXR11 (allegedly, seller wasn't too sure), home made link pipe and a cheap generic end can. Repaired a snapped exahsut stud and replaced gaskets. Starts and runs fine but seems to struggle with tickover, tried adjusting tickover screw and seems to be fine for around a minute (around 1500rpm) then just drops to 1k and dies. Is this a "feature" of going to a 4 into 1 or should I be planning to change jets, adjust settings? It ran and ticked over perfectly before, previously had the original exhausts that had been gutted and rewelded. Havent changed the inlet setup of cheap pod filters as it was running so well before. Any advice? Cheers

Cant help with the front end as I fitted a complete 1997 750 SRAD front end to mine. With the rear I am pretty sure you'll need the GS500 sprocket carrier. I fitted an early GSX750F rear wheel to mine (same spindle size) which is 3.5". The GS500 sprocket carrier brings the chain back very close to its original position so dont need to mess around with offset sprockets. The GS500 again uses the same rear spindle size which simplifies the whole setup. One other thing you will need to modify is the caliper torque arm as the original fouls on my 150 rear tyre, if you are running that or wider you'll need to change it. Again I used a 750 SRAD one which is slightly shorter but the bend is perfect to clear the tyre.

I have them on my GSX750ES cafe bike, a bit cheesy but always make me giggle. Mine have running lights built in as well, white to the front and red to the rear, they go off when the indicators flash.

Great stuff, thanks for that, will see how it looks with my seat at that height. Much appreciated.

If you could I'd be grateful, thanks Did think about that but no way my welding skills are up to that so I'd be looking at getting a workshop to do it which would be mega bucks over her. :-(

HI all I have searched the forum but can't see any quick answers to this. I have an 85 GSX750ES, its been cafe'd by the previous owner so I'm taking it a bit further. USD front end, 750F rear wheel, single seat with loop at the back of the frame. I was planning to fit a GT500 tank but its proving difficult to reshape the underside to clear the farme tubes. The front mounts are spot on but the back sits about 50mm too high as the fame is higher than the tunnel under the tank. So any other alternatves that will be a bit easier do. The probelm with the ES tank is the hump at the back of the tank doesn't match a cafe seat, I'd prefer a more traditional 70s style tank from a GS. Has anyone done this before and can guide me as to what tank will fit on with minimal mods? Photos of the GSX tank and the GT500 tank attached.

Hi All First post I think, getting my 85 GSX750ES ready for the new season (still have 4 feet of snow outside the garage so no rush). Been off bikes since 1992 so need some advice. NEED to replace the junk knobblies that the previous owner had fitted with something a bit more practical for everyday riding. Not too worried about long lasting mileage as probably only do about 6000 miles this year and planning to swap to GSX750F wheels next winter for better tyre choice and availability. Bike is used for daily dual carraigeway/town commute and general dicking around at the weekend :-) 16"/17" combo needed, 100/90-16 front and 120/90-17 rear. Just need straight opinions of the following and any other recommendations please, also wisdom/drawbacks of running unmatched combinations: Front: Bridgestone BT45 Dunlop Arrowmax GT601 Metzeler Lazertec Rear: Bridgestone BT45 Avon AM26 Roadrider Have done some research already and the only concrete thing I have is that the BT45 is a marmite tyre, people love them or hate them. Thanks in advance, Stuart Just north of Oslo, Norway