SuzukiSavage.com - need to replace head gasket

verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28886 L.A. California Gender:	Re: need to replace head gasket Reply #15 - 01/03/08 at 22:48:36 As fast as USPS has been lately, I'm sure they order direct from Japan, ship via ground.
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Savage_Greg

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Re: need to replace head gasket
Reply #16 - 01/03/08 at 22:56:35

verslagen1 wrote on 01/03/08 at 22:48:36:

As fast as USPS has been lately, I'm sure they order direct from Japan, ship via ground.

Actually, I do like USPS. First class on all my CDs is usually no more than 3 days delivery US.

As for BikeBandit, my last order arrived Priority in 3 days. Ron Ayers can take as long as 9 days...they order from Japan, I think Tongue

Motorcycle Superstore is also fast but they don't do OEM parts

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nervekiler Junior Member Offline ridin in the rain Posts: 61 vancouver, wa Gender:	Re: need to replace head gasket Reply #17 - 01/03/08 at 22:59:48 thanks guys i just placed my order with bike bandit 11pm 1/3/08 guess we will see how long it takes. i chose standard cheap shipping
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Savage_Greg Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline Don't go around your ass to reach your elbow... Posts: 7844 SW Washington State Gender:	Re: need to replace head gasket Reply #18 - 01/03/08 at 23:10:56 BTW - Isn't there a topic about Vendors in the Tech Section? Can't remember...
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Savage_Greg Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline Don't go around your ass to reach your elbow... Posts: 7844 SW Washington State Gender:	Re: need to replace head gasket Reply #19 - 01/03/08 at 23:11:43 nervekiler wrote on 01/03/08 at 22:59:48: thanks guys i just placed my order with bike bandit 11pm 1/3/08 guess we will see how long it takes. i chose standard cheap shipping Well, this will be a first. I don't remember anyone actually witnessing a blown head gasket. How old is the bike?
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T Mack 1 - FSO

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Re: need to replace head gasket
Reply #20 - 01/04/08 at 10:04:46

Savage_Greg wrote on 01/03/08 at 23:11:43:

Well, this will be a first. I don't remember anyone actually witnessing a blown head gasket. How old is the bike?

So...what causes the head gasket to blow ?

1) I thought it was a loose head, in other words, bolts not torqued enough..........
2) Or, improper assembly, which could be related to #1 above. But, having done a head myself, the gasket part of the rebuild is rather simple so this one would be minor reason.

The used head I bought at the local salvage yard came from a bike that the guy said the bolts were just over a "finger tight" torque.
Makes you wonder if that is why the bike was in the yard (blown head?), and also makes you wonder how many dealers "total" a bike for a blown head. Note: I think the Dealer labor charges make the idea of totalling an "easy fix" a reality on the older Savages.

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Savage_Greg Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline Don't go around your ass to reach your elbow... Posts: 7844 SW Washington State Gender:	Re: need to replace head gasket Reply #21 - 01/04/08 at 11:42:24 "Why?" is the next logical question, for sure.
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nervekiler

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Re: need to replace head gasket
Reply #22 - 01/04/08 at 12:06:58

the speedo on the bike says less than 1500 miles... but no telling if its the original tank and speedo.. i can tell its been repainted.

not sure why it blew but noticed a few signs of a small leak .. small puffs of smoke coming out near where the exhuast and head meet.
warming it up one day and it made a big puff and then died. wont start anymore.

im excited to start riding again.

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Frank T. Cartoys jantzen beach

97 savage 650 - HD pipes, carb spacer mod, idle screw adjusted, 152.5/55 jets, K&N air filter, big crank battery, chopped up a bit

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Savage_Greg

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Re: need to replace head gasket
Reply #23 - 01/05/08 at 08:13:52

nervekiler wrote on 01/04/08 at 12:06:58:

the speedo on the bike says less than 1500 miles... but no telling if its the original tank and speedo.. i can tell its been repainted.

not sure why it blew but noticed a few signs of a small leak .. small puffs of smoke coming out near where the exhuast and head meet.
warming it up one day and it made a big puff and then died. wont start anymore.

im excited to start riding again.

WELL, of course, the first and easiest way to check for a blown gasket would be a compression check, ya know.

Just have to remember to disable the decompression solenoid...

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T Mack 1 - FSO

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Re: need to replace head gasket
Reply #24 - 01/05/08 at 19:19:42

The guy at the salvage yard said on the LS650 you got to make sure you're getting oil to the head after re-assembly before riding. He said to loosen the one head cover bolt that passes thru the oil passage. Crank and make sure you get oil out.

So....here's a funny. Grin

When I put the engine back together, I kept the bolt loose like I was told to do. Took the spark plug out so there was no compression (no load) on the engine and then cranked it over for the first time. I watch for oil coming out of the bolt..... nothing......crank again ...... nothing. I thought., D..mn, I must have got sealant in the oil passages. So, one more try, this time with the bolt all the way out. Crank crank........ splash....oil all over my face & safety glasses Shocked

. Slipped the bolt back in loosely and cranked and oil again......Yea....

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Savage_Greg

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Re: need to replace head gasket
Reply #25 - 01/06/08 at 06:51:42

T Mack 1 - FSO wrote on 01/05/08 at 19:19:42:

The guy at the salvage yard said on the LS650 you got to make sure you're getting oil to the head after re-assembly before riding. He said to loosen the one head cover bolt that passes thru the oil passage. Crank and make sure you get oil out.

So....here's a funny. Grin

When I put the engine back together, I kept the bolt loose like I was told to do. Took the spark plug out so there was no compression (no load) on the engine and then cranked it over for the first time. I watch for oil coming out of the bolt..... nothing......crank again ...... nothing. I thought., D..mn, I must have got sealant in the oil passages. So, one more try, this time with the bolt all the way out. Crank crank........ splash....oil all over my face & safety glasses Shocked

. Slipped the bolt back in loosely and cranked and oil again......Yea....

That's actually a very good point. Some bikes have a bleeder for doing that, but while your cranking it, what's lubing the cam shaft? A good idea is to use an assembly grease on the top end parts, so there is lube before the oil gets up there.

Note to self: Don't look in spark plug OR bolt hole when cranking engine Tongue

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justin_o_guy2

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Re: need to replace head gasket
Reply #26 - 01/07/08 at 04:48:08

Savage_Greg wrote on 01/05/08 at 08:13:52:

nervekiler wrote on 01/04/08 at 12:06:58:

anymore.

im excited to start riding again.

WELL, of course, the first and easiest way to check for a blown gasket would be a compression check, ya know.

Just have to remember to disable the decompression solenoid...

Wuhhh? I thought the decomp dropped out after something like 2 seconds, just long enough of decomp to let the starter get everything swinging good. Is this not so?

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Kropatchek

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Re: need to replace head gasket
Reply #27 - 01/07/08 at 07:35:04

justin_o_guy2 wrote on 01/07/08 at 04:48:08:

Savage_Greg wrote on 01/05/08 at 08:13:52:

nervekiler wrote on 01/04/08 at 12:06:58:

anymore.

im excited to start riding again.

WELL, of course, the first and easiest way to check for a blown gasket would be a compression check, ya know.

Just have to remember to disable the decompression solenoid...

Wuhhh? I thought the decomp dropped out after something like 2 seconds, just long enough of decomp to let the starter get everything swinging good. Is this not so?

That's right, the decompression solenoid is de-energized 0.7 seconds after the startbutton is pushed in.( source the SSM)

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Savage_Greg

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Re: need to replace head gasket
Reply #28 - 01/07/08 at 08:17:30

justin_o_guy2 wrote on 01/07/08 at 04:48:08:

Savage_Greg wrote on 01/05/08 at 08:13:52:

nervekiler wrote on 01/04/08 at 12:06:58:

anymore.

im excited to start riding again.

WELL, of course, the first and easiest way to check for a blown gasket would be a compression check, ya know.

Just have to remember to disable the decompression solenoid...

Wuhhh? I thought the decomp dropped out after something like 2 seconds, just long enough of decomp to let the starter get everything swinging good. Is this not so?

Yeah, but you can't use it if you are doing a compression check.

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Savage_Greg

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Re: need to replace head gasket
Reply #29 - 01/07/08 at 08:18:37

Kropatchek wrote on 01/07/08 at 07:35:04:

justin_o_guy2 wrote on 01/07/08 at 04:48:08:

Savage_Greg wrote on 01/05/08 at 08:13:52:

nervekiler wrote on 01/04/08 at 12:06:58:

anymore.

im excited to start riding again.

WELL, of course, the first and easiest way to check for a blown gasket would be a compression check, ya know.

Just have to remember to disable the decompression solenoid...

Wuhhh? I thought the decomp dropped out after something like 2 seconds, just long enough of decomp to let the starter get everything swinging good. Is this not so?

That's right, the decompression solenoid is de-energized 0.7 seconds after the startbutton is pushed in.( source the SSM)

Yes, as per the SSM. Pretty quick. Ya gotta watch it to appreciate.

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