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Message started by bigdave on 08/30/11 at 21:50:39

Title: Head Gasket
Post by bigdave on 08/30/11 at 21:50:39

So I think my head gasket is blown. there's oil leaking around the two halves if the engine,top & bottom. I'm not sure what a head gasket is or how to replace it. I think it seals the two halves but unsure. I still haven't figured out my dang bike either. I posted last week about carbs but that didn't seem to be it. Also what speeds does each gear run in these 650s? I don't have a Rpm gauge and not sure on speed to gear ratio on these bikes. Any help is appreciated. ;)

Title: Re: Head Gasket
Post by verslagen1 on 08/30/11 at 23:30:35

Get some degreaser and clean the head real well.
Oil coming from the top will go all over.
There's a head plug that's the usually culprit.
Sits in a hole next to the header.

read thru this and you'll get a lot of info on it...
http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1256079122

for real easy shifting, shift every 10 mph.

Title: Re: Head Gasket
Post by bigdave on 08/30/11 at 23:37:18

Thanks I appreciate it. I'm hoping to get the bike up & running soon.

Title: Re: Head Gasket
Post by BurnPgh on 08/31/11 at 14:21:00

if your bike is stock, shift whenever you feel comfortable. You arent going to get anywhere near redline before it stops pulling strong in each gear.

For instance...theoretical redline in 1st gear is 35mph...relaistically you'll get to 20-25 quickly and it'll take you forever to get any further and by that time you'll hear the engine screaming at you to stop. Practical shift points on a stock bike

1st 0 - 20/25
2nd 20/25 - 30/35
3rd 30/35 - 40/45
4th 40/45 - 50/55
5th 45/50 - 55/60

Title: Re: Head Gasket
Post by bigdave on 09/01/11 at 00:02:25

Could it do anything if it was pushed beyond it's limits in a gear? As a beginner rider I forgot to count my gears on my first highway trip & I may have had it at 55 in 3rd when it completely shut off after making a loud pop.

Title: Re: Head Gasket
Post by Oldfeller on 09/01/11 at 01:45:42

Don't worry about it, you didn't hurt your engine permanently.

The base engine can rev higher than the stock cam permits it to without taking any damage. My bike can do 75 mph in 3rd gear.

Literally, with a stock cam you really can't go anywhere near there, so quit worrying about it.

Ride your bike and enjoy it.

If you decide to work on an item, check the Tech Section for information -- everything is there for you already and there is an index up at the top for you to refer to to find everything.

Title: Re: Head Gasket
Post by drums1 on 09/01/11 at 05:59:07

Wow, some of you guys really wind yours up. Mine is an '87, 4 gears. I shift:
1st to second @ 10mph
2nd to 3rd @ 20 mph
3rd to 4th @ about 35 mph
If I wind it any further, she screams, whines and grumbles at me.
(Sounds kinda like my wife.....)

Title: Re: Head Gasket
Post by BurnPgh on 09/02/11 at 15:17:02

515A5457524556330 wrote:

Until you start to really modify things you cant push it beyond its limits. Dont even worry right now. If you just happen to find yourself at 40mph in 1st then you can start to wonder...but still, dont worry yet. And you will never even get to that point with a stock machine.

Title: Re: Head Gasket
Post by Trippah on 09/02/11 at 16:35:11

and the loud pop is a standard feature of this "EPA tuned" lean single. ;)
Welcome aboard.