Engine Tear Down - GS550 Cafe Racer Build (Part 4)

[@Double_Thinker]

I can’t describe to you the depth of feeling this video series has evoked in me. There are two primary components to this. The first is that almost a decade ago, when I was 16, I bought an ‘81 GS550T on the side of the road for 500 bones. I pushed it home and tried to get it running - with having done not so much as even an oil change in my life at that point, you can correctly presume I did virtually nothing of value. With so much time passed I must say I’m a different man now. I’m well versed in the trades, but primarily carpentry and plumbery and electrician-ship. I can do brake jobs and simple repairs, but as a whole I never got the experience or the training to really understand the details and nuances involved in complex mechanical work - like engine removal, disassembly, and diagnosis for example. So I’m feeling immense excitement and inspiration having stumbled across hours of meticulous work and explanation for my exact bike. That’s the first part of the feelings evoked. The second aspect is a bit more strange. I hope you don’t take this the wrong way! I don’t mean to be weird about it. But the truth is that after a few short videos I’ve begun to think about you in a sort of paternal way. I have a father, and I have a close relationship with him, but he isn’t mechanically inclined in the least. I’ve always wanted someone to teach me about these types of things, and I admire the depth of your knowledge. It’s not very difficult to figure out when someone is a complete master of their craft. They speak in paragraphs that contain twenty gems of knowledge and they casually drop truth bombs like it’s nothing (e.g. you, casually: “don’t forget to loosen your torque wrench for storage!” me: *brain is exploding*) However, being an expert in something usually makes being an effective teacher difficult. This is not the case for you. You explain everything perfectly, in such a manner that someone such as I can understand. I am grateful for your skill, your demeanor, and your consistent and effortful work. Thanks for the series, you can bet I’ll be watching all of it. -Andrez P.S. Where did you learn all this? You strike me as a mix of engineer and mechanic.

[@UrbanMonkTV]

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts! I really, sincerely appreciate them. You are the exact reason why I began this channel - to pass on what I have learned. It warms my heart to know the work I put into these videos has been helpful to you. Would it surprise you to learn I got my degrees in marketing and business administration? I wanted to be an engineer when I was younger, but one has to go where life takes him and not fight it too much. I share more details about how I learned mechanics in my book, but the short answer is I'm self taught. Have you gotten your GT running and ridden it yet? Not that riding is the most fun part - I'd argue the "wrenching" is just as fun.

[@Double_Thinker]

@@UrbanMonkTV You have a book?! Where can I purchase it? The lady has been running sporadically over the years, but once running tends to bog down under throttle, and would die if you took off the choke. Nowadays she turns over but doesn’t catch, I don’t even know where to begin with diagnosing her although I hope that after watching your videos and reading your book I will be properly edified to do just that. Last time I had her running my buddy hovered his hands over the exhaust pipes coming right off the engine block and pointed out that two of the four pipes were cold. I am mildly surprised to learn of your educational background, I was certainly thinking mechanical engineer. So what gives? You never answered my question! How the heck did you learn all this?!

[@UrbanMonkTV]

@@Double_Thinker Yes, I wrote a book called Creating Mr. Kortan. Details are on my website urbanmonktv.com. No expectations. Can purchase in paperback or Amazon Kindle. Sounds like you're either having an issue with fuel or spark (making some assumptions from my armchair here). I'd double check you have spark in those cold cylinders first, then maybe check carbs for cleanliness, float height, and fuel and air circuit adjustments. Also, are they cold only at idle or at all throttle positions?

[@Double_Thinker]

@@UrbanMonkTV hey monk, had a busy past few days but I finally just got around to ordering your book! Thank you for the suggestions - frankly I’m not sure how to even test those things but as I work my way through your videos I’m sure I will continue to learn. I’m planning to document my experience in some fashion, perhaps through pictures and in writing, so as to help people just as you are helping me. I’m wondering what your preferred method of correspondence is. In a few months I hope to have watched most of the videos and gotten the bike into my garage. Nonetheless I foresee needing to ask you for help in my future. KZbin comments don’t seem to be the best format for long format correspondence but I am open to anything! Thanks again for all the work you’ve put into the series. As the project comes to fruition I’ll find some way to repay you 🙏🏼

[@UrbanMonkTV]

@@Double_Thinker I am happy to help when I can. I can't always promise a prompt response, but will get back when I can. Hit me up through the contact form on urbanmonktv.com and we can connect via email.

[@wilfredstinissen8309]

Thanks again!!!!!!!!

[@UrbanMonkTV]

You're welcome. Thank you for watching.

[@jasonrehman5416]

Thank you so much for what you do . It’s helped me in more than one way.

[@UrbanMonkTV]

You are so welcome. Thank you for watching!

[@TheRicokilla]

Done watching!

[@Animation445]

i like how u explain everything. very helpful

[@UrbanMonkTV]

Thank you for watching and for taking the time to tell me that. I'm sometimes accused of being verbose, which isn't entirely untrue. I just wanted to provide the detail I think is needed to do the job yourself, and that takes some explaining. Thanks again!

[@MattyHild]

Using this as a guide for a 1983 Suzuki gs650gl head gasket, thanks!

[@mauriciolarrosa3647]

Hola llevan 0.08mm?

[@gaskinsgarage4192]

I had my engine rebuilt after it lost compression on 1 and 4 3 years ago and here we are again 50-75 psi in both 1 and 4.... I don't know if something is seriously wrong with my engine but I'm rebuilding it myself this time around

[@UrbanMonkTV]

Interesting. I can't offhand think of why that would be. I'll ask a friend his opinion and let you know if he has a good answer.

[@gaskinsgarage4192]

Okay thanks!

[@UrbanMonkTV]

@@gaskinsgarage4192 My friend and I are in agreement...We don't have enough information. Armchair diagnostics is a difficult game.

[@brandonthompson5004]

Check your cylinder walls

[@brandonthompson5004]

See if valves are sticking

[@raymorris952]

Are you a bit OCD? Very detailed vlogs, nice to see , but im not sure if you will get many people willing to watch in such detail, But good luck to you fella,

[@UrbanMonkTV]

Ray Morris Thanks for the feedback. My intent is to provide the detail necessary to successfully build your own bike. It's an instructional documentary series. Not everyone's cup of tea I readily admit. Best.

[@Jeremy6981]

Ray Morris all rebuilding requires a little OCD

[@dowser81]

Urban Monk TV your video content is spot on and very informative haters are always going to hate.

[@izoyt]

most people watching this, have a decent amount of ocd, me included. so, don't worry about that