When I took the sump off my 1980 GS550 shortly after I bought it, 2 years ago, it was like a swamp in there, thick black sludge, lumps of silicone, bits of old gasket (cylinder base gasket, I think), but fortunately, no chunks of metal. It was part of the process of putting right all the things previous owners had done (or not done) to it.
That's a good point Rick. I've never really done oil flushes as I didn't trust any of the oil thinning products. But I may consider the odd one on any older bikes I get. I got my cdi back today for that peugeot satalis. They say that they disengaged the immobiliser. Fingers crossed it works.
@@motorcyclerescuer I've never used oil flushing products, either, not on bikes or throughout my career as a car and van mechanic. I have occasionally done an oil change using a cheap oil, and replaced it again with the proper stuff after a short run time, when the oil has been very dirty and neglected. With the GS, the most effective option was to take the sump off and wash it out.
@rickconstant6106 funny enough I used to do the same. Cheap oil for a few days then drop it and put good in. I think these flushes just thin the oil, but it's that bit that always worried me. Running a very thin oil even for minutes
Well done Charlie, you encouraged me to have a go at my Triumph 650 stuck clutch, I tried rocking in gear etc as you suggested, but no luck and I'm not surprised when I saw the clutch plates were completely stuck together ! Re Bandit exhaust headers, I know exactly what you mean, a so called mechanic snapped a stud off on mine ! Such a shame as I loved that bike 😥 I think it is worth putting some copper grease on them.
Exhaust bolts can be a right pain. A whole engine ruined because of them. I think that's why people won't touch them. But this leads into the issue. Years later they are corroded. Worth loosening a touch every year before mot. Loosening and tightening I mean. And I'm unsure what grease can be used on them. Does copper grease work with the heat?
I know the twin lights tend to fail, and obviously aren't as good as suzukis single, but they do look cool on a bandit, the sketchiest journey of my life was following my mate on his bandit 400 with ebays twins,but really with no lights in my 206 close enough for hime to use my headlights too......really don't wanna do that again, feel like i already told that story cause I'm a boring bastard with very few interesting stories, but it was very sketchy XD
reminding me of the scary ride back home when my cheapo halogen headlight bulb started to die on me on an unlit country back road! scariest ride of my life that! pretty much no low beam, no high beam either
@@Hazmatti don't realise how much visibility is important till it's gone, my second scariest journey was in a transit recovery truck leaking oil all over it's windscreen, and that was just as a passenger
Definitely not a boring story. I live in Central London and forget how dark it can get outside of the city. Its a great reminder. These twins are in good order currently though which is good. I prefer the single on a bandit myself
Nice info for those who are apprehensive about doing such a job !
And straight forward enough to do.
When I took the sump off my 1980 GS550 shortly after I bought it, 2 years ago, it was like a swamp in there, thick black sludge, lumps of silicone, bits of old gasket (cylinder base gasket, I think), but fortunately, no chunks of metal. It was part of the process of putting right all the things previous owners had done (or not done) to it.
That's a good point Rick. I've never really done oil flushes as I didn't trust any of the oil thinning products. But I may consider the odd one on any older bikes I get.
I got my cdi back today for that peugeot satalis. They say that they disengaged the immobiliser. Fingers crossed it works.
@@motorcyclerescuer 🤞
@@motorcyclerescuer I've never used oil flushing products, either, not on bikes or throughout my career as a car and van mechanic. I have occasionally done an oil change using a cheap oil, and replaced it again with the proper stuff after a short run time, when the oil has been very dirty and neglected. With the GS, the most effective option was to take the sump off and wash it out.
@rickconstant6106 funny enough I used to do the same. Cheap oil for a few days then drop it and put good in.
I think these flushes just thin the oil, but it's that bit that always worried me. Running a very thin oil even for minutes
Well done Charlie, you encouraged me to have a go at my Triumph 650 stuck clutch, I tried rocking in gear etc as you suggested, but no luck and I'm not surprised when I saw the clutch plates were completely stuck together ! Re Bandit exhaust headers, I know exactly what you mean, a so called mechanic snapped a stud off on mine ! Such a shame as I loved that bike 😥 I think it is worth putting some copper grease on them.
Exhaust bolts can be a right pain. A whole engine ruined because of them. I think that's why people won't touch them. But this leads into the issue. Years later they are corroded.
Worth loosening a touch every year before mot. Loosening and tightening I mean.
And I'm unsure what grease can be used on them. Does copper grease work with the heat?
@@motorcyclerescuer Yes Charlie, Copper grease is good for up to 1150C, Wish I had known that when I bought the Bandit.
Wow I will start using it on heated studs from now on then. I learn new things all the time.
Thanks
Good luck mate 👍 👌
Cheers George
Not to complicated but I'm glad I didn't have the same issue with my bandit years ago 👍
A fair amount of work but yes straight forward enough
With a Delkevic exhaust system you can drop the oil pan without removing it.
Oh really. I guess that's handy when needed.
I couldn't find that cdi mate, only got the vespa one I just removed from the bike I bought recently
Mine is back now and they say they have turned the immobiliser of. I'll be testing it on Sunday.
Hopefully I've got a running bike.
🏍👍👍
Cheers Stephen
I know the twin lights tend to fail, and obviously aren't as good as suzukis single, but they do look cool on a bandit, the sketchiest journey of my life was following my mate on his bandit 400 with ebays twins,but really with no lights in my 206 close enough for hime to use my headlights too......really don't wanna do that again, feel like i already told that story cause I'm a boring bastard with very few interesting stories, but it was very sketchy XD
reminding me of the scary ride back home when my cheapo halogen headlight bulb started to die on me on an unlit country back road! scariest ride of my life that! pretty much no low beam, no high beam either
@@Hazmatti don't realise how much visibility is important till it's gone, my second scariest journey was in a transit recovery truck leaking oil all over it's windscreen, and that was just as a passenger
Definitely not a boring story. I live in Central London and forget how dark it can get outside of the city. Its a great reminder.
These twins are in good order currently though which is good. I prefer the single on a bandit myself
Shocking, that would be horrible. I would pull over I think and collect the bike the next day
Oh wow.