Install Valves & Head On Engine - GS550 Cafe Racer (Part 17)

After a hiatus to perform maintenance on his "everyday bike," the Urban Monk is back to work on his Suzuki GS550 cafe racer. In this episode, he installs the valves and head on the engine. More fun with his "awfully adequate" valve spring compressor tool. :)
Book - Creating Mr. Kortan: Building a Custom Vintage Cafe Racer: www.amazon.com...
Urban Monk Website: www.urbanmonktv...
Follow in Instagram: / urbanmonktv
This series is perfect for anyone working on a GS550 cafe racer, scrambler or bobber or even GS750. Also helpful to anyone doing a restoration or rebuild on a vintage motorcycle, including CB750, CB550, or CBAnything. Or if you simply like custom vintage motorcycles and garage mechanics.

[@bob4bob3bob2bob]

SUZUKI GS750. 1978.This is the stage that I'm at today. This is invaluable advice and guidance to pre watch. Thank you.

[@UrbanMonkTV]

Thanks for watching and for saying so. My book has some fun details too.

[@tinyokami968]

bought an 85' gs550L as a project, my engine is slightly different than yours but it's helping me, as someone who's never rebuilt an engine before, learn how to do it! i've got the service manual but watching it get done helps a ton!

[@UrbanMonkTV]

Thanks for watching! I'm glad my videos are helping. That was my hope for them.

[@motafov]

wow, i feel honoured i received a shout-out "live" in one of your videos! i feel famous by proxy lol... you may not be a hollywood celebrity, but as you rightly stated you're one of the few gurus who shows detailed work on the ground versus 50,000 feet; for those of us who know how invaluable this is, i once again say "many many thanks"!! great vid, as usual...

[@MichaelChoi]

For some reason, every time when the torque wrench clicks it's so satisfying 😂

[@cloudk2030]

It’s even more satisfying when you hear a snap before the torque wrench clicks

[@TheGixernutter]

Ive done loads of these. This is a good clear correct guide how to do it. Nice job.

[@UrbanMonkTV]

Thank you very much! This whole GS550 build (now called Mr. Kortan) was a labor of love for me for over 3 years.

[@thisstupid757]

I’m a few years late on this series but am working on my gs550. I really appreciate the detail you went into on everything on this bike. Thank you!!

[@UrbanMonkTV]

Thanks for watching! Glad it is still helpful.

[@AndrewDuncan-y1i]

Hi from Cornwall UK. Amazing videos thanks for the detail. I am rebuilding a 1977 gs550 and like your build my head gasket has come with an extra hole / tab in the centre, in front of the timing chain channel. Did you end up trimming it down after install or just leaving it alone? I don't really want to touch it but looks a bit strange. Thanks in advance for your help, if you can remember back that far.

[@UrbanMonkTV]

Thank you for your kind words! I just left it. Cutting away at the gasket seemed like asking for problems. Might have been fine, but no one sees it under the tank and behind the forks. Everyone's eyes go to the headlight. Sometimes the chef knows too much about the meal to enjoy it as much as guests.

[@TheGixernutter]

Those rear o rings are essential

[@UrbanMonkTV]

Yes, agreed. Thanks for watching.

[@kruno49]

This vid helps me put my GS 550 together! Tahnks!!

[@UrbanMonkTV]

Thank you for watching! Enjoy your project!

[@TheGixernutter]

Those o brings are essential

[@UrbanMonkTV]

Agreed. Thanks for watching!

[@budtlight889]

If you're changing the head gasket do you have to change the gasket underneath the Pistons? its a 1978 gs750E

[@UrbanMonkTV]

If they're not leaking and you are not pulling the cylinder bank off the crankcase then you don't have to change the o-rings under the cylinder bank. These engines are 40+ years old so it's anyone's guess when things will begin leaking but I've been amazed at how long old Japanese engines will hold their fluids if left untouched. Thanks for watching!

[@escorterofsouls4506]

Hay there at 14:52 what is that tool called thank you very much on making this good video

[@UrbanMonkTV]

Thanks for watching. It's a valve spring compressor. I think I paid around $30 for that one. It worked ok. Not great, but adequate.

[@johnhaley0703h]

Great video! Did you replace the 4 plugs on the ends of the top of the head? If so, how do they stay in place?

[@UrbanMonkTV]

I just used Black Permatex RTV gasket sealer/adhesive for those. Easy-peasy. (If I'm thinking about the same plugs you are referring to.)

[@johnhaley0703h]

@@UrbanMonkTV I think we are! the 4 round black plugs at either end of each of the cams on the head. Love your videos btw, so in depth and helpful.

[@UrbanMonkTV]

Thank you for saying so and thank you for watching.

[@pablocragnolini646]

Hello teacher!!! of Argentina ... how many kilos of adjustment has a cylinder cap?

[@UrbanMonkTV]

pablo cragnolini I hope I understand your question. 2.3 - 2.7 kilogram meters. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching!

[@chrismorrison5554]

Hey Mr Monk, Thanks so much for all your video's, really fanstastic and a lot of help ! Did you make a video of you painting the engine barrels and head ? Thanks

[@UrbanMonkTV]

Thank you for watching and for those kind words. I don't recall if I made a video of paint the barrels. I can't find one if I did. I will say the process was the same as that which I used in my video Painting Engine GS550 Build Part 12. 3 coats primer, 3 coats color, 3 coats clear. VHT high temp paint and 10-15 minutes between coats - 48 hrs or more between prime, color and clear. Hope that helps!

[@jdwhite2dw]

Any bolts that were nasty looking, including the 2 chrome acorn nuts like yours, cleaned up real nice with wire wheel on my bench grinder.

[@joelsilva3506]

Which gasket kit did you buy and from where? Im doing a rebuild and the cylinder gasket that came with the kit is a lot thinner and cheaper looking. The tip of the gasket is actually smaller than the old one I got, so the gasket doesn't cover the tip end of the engine. Do you think I could use the gasket I got or should I replace it for one that fits well?

[@UrbanMonkTV]

First, thanks for watching. It is difficult for me to judge your gasket without seeing it. Sorry, not much help I know. I got my gasket set on Ebay for $65 from a seller called extreme_shop. I see they are still a seller on Ebay if you are interested in trying them out. I have to say most of the gaskets looked good in the set I got, but the valve cover gasket was wrong. I ended up using my old one for that (which was still in good shape). I hope this helps some.

[@joelsilva3506]

@@UrbanMonkTV I think you took the last one he was selling. I'll just keep looking on eBay for a cylinder head gasket, the one I got looks cheap and I assume would be more prone to blowout. Thanks anyway!

[@UrbanMonkTV]

@@joelsilva3506 Perhaps try cruzinimage.net. They have a set that's a little more $. I got my piston rings from them.

[@e46silverbullet62]

When reviewing the engine lubrication diagram section from Clymers service manual on my 82 gs650 it shows the rear head studs flow positive pressure to the head. The oil then flows through the head and drops back down the center of the crank case. Im sure our motors must be very similar to one another. I hope this helps. But youre adding o rings to all 4 studs which is probably what i would do haha so im sure youre fine!

[@UrbanMonkTV]

E46SilverBullet Thanks!

[@e46silverbullet62]

Urban Monk TV i need to replace the head gasket and base gasket on my 82 650. Do you think this can be done with the motor on the bike? It is a shafty. The bike runs very strong but leaks on the left corners badly. Also i am considering using the old piston rings since there seems to be no sign of bad rings. Any thoughts? And should it take less than a week?

[@UrbanMonkTV]

E46SilverBullet I do think you could do it with the engine on the bike. If I hadn't been planning to paint my engine, I could have left it in the frame.

[@willtrimble1]

Mr. Monk, what type of sealant are you using on your gaskets? One service manual says it's unnecessary the other says to use an appropriate sealant...not much help. Thanks in advance.

[@UrbanMonkTV]

willtrimble1 I use Permatex Ultra Black. I use on any gasket that holds oil. You could probably skip if you know your mating surfaces are perfect, but sometimes scraping old gaskets off causes imperfections. Downside is if you need to remove cover/part later, you usually tear the gasket and cannot reuse. Many would say you shouldn't reuse anyway. Personal preference.

[@willtrimble1]

Urban Monk TV thank you! You are a wealth of information both big and small. Cheers

[@boxochocolates71]

Mr. Monk......i can't seem to find the video where you removed starter clutch. Can u help? Thanks

[@marlon45aries20]

for a suzuki gs 850 it is the same torque oh how many pounds per foot is it for the 81 gs 850

[@UrbanMonkTV]

I don't know for sure. But suspect it is the same or close. You can find a service manual on BikeCliff's website to get the torque specs. Thanks for watching!

[@iliaortho]

Sir. I am getting into 1979 gs850. And I got to this video while surfing KZbin. Thank you and god bless you. Right from the start of video you leave such a good impression. You sound very genuine. Btw what you think of 79 gs850g. They say a lot of good things about them.

[@UrbanMonkTV]

Ilia Khintibidze Thank you for your kind words. I believe all the Suzuki GS models are well built motorcycles. I'd love a GS850 someday.

[@DeerbrookSouthernRR]

Just bought a 79 Gs550 and the 2 outside cylinders have 50psi and the 2 inside cylinders have zero. This one will be interesting

[@UrbanMonkTV]

Do any improve when you add oil to the cylinders? Cruzinimage.net has piston ring and engine gasket sets at reasonable prices.

[@joelsilva3506]

Should the new valve seals be tighter than the old ones? Should the hole in the new seals be smaller due to being new and unused? I replaced a guide for a new one and the valve stem feels like it has a tighter grip, needs a bit of pressure to move up and down in the new seal. Is that normal?

[@UrbanMonkTV]

As long as the valve seal fits into its seat properly and doesn't move out of place due to friction between the seal and the stem, and as long as the seal didn't tear when you put the stem through it, I'd guess (and I am guessing since I'm not there to see for myself) you should be fine.

[@joelsilva3506]

@@UrbanMonkTV The seals are seated properly, the valve stems aren't bothering the seals and the rubber on the seals are torn. And the seals aren't moving out of place with the valve in them. Do the springs and keepers (springs specifically) hold the seals down?

[@UrbanMonkTV]

@@joelsilva3506 I'm not sure of the clearance between th he bottom of the keepers and tops of the seals, but it's got to be close. I think you are fine. 🙂

[@joelsilva3506]

​@@UrbanMonkTV I have two valve heads and I've noticed that the size of the OEM (old) intake valve seals are larger than the exhaust valve seals, did the gasket kit that you bought come with all same size valve seals? (EDIT) : upon inspecting the top of the valve guides where the seals go, it seems that the grooves are the same height on both intake and exhaust, meaning that regardless of the size of the seals (basing this off of the new seals I have, which are all the same size) , the seals should fit well.

[@UrbanMonkTV]

@@joelsilva3506 I don't recall any difference between intake and exhaust valve seals size, but I did this work almost a year and a half ago.

[@SailingWanakita]

Does anyone know what the torque specs are on the head studs?

[@UrbanMonkTV]

I do! Between 16.5 and 19.5 lb/ft (2.3-2.7 kg/m). You will also need the order for tightening them. That (and these torque specs) can be found on page 55 of the service manual. The tightening order is shown in Figure 2-168 on the same page. You can download the service manual on the resources page of my website. Thank you for watching!

[@jacoblang2712]

I love suzuki motor cycle s..i got a 82 gs750t

[@UrbanMonkTV]

Hear! Hear! I agree! I think the GS engine is a beautiful design. Aesthetically more pleasing than 60s and 70s Honda CBs. It's got great lines.

[@jacoblang2712]

@@UrbanMonkTV I had a. 76 750 four k years ago and yes they didn't run like the gs did

[@jaxlaverty1409]

helloMonkspacebarisntworkinglol111111should``I``use``bluet`` rtv``on``the`head``GASKET. its a 1982 gs750 motor , Oh look i got backl my space bar!!lol

[@UrbanMonkTV]

Thanks for watching! I would not use any silicon rtv on a head gasket. Just clean flat surfaces and proper torque is all you need. Rtv is good for low pressure oil-containing areas.