Internal Engine Considerations at high milage

[Canuck]

Hey as some of you frequent posters know.. my 2003 GZ is at 50,000 kms

The Oil has been changed (10w40 Suzuki)
valves are within specification
16 tooth front sprocket
Needle Shim Mod to the carb
2 month old spark plug
89-91 octane gas (canadian ratings)
Air filter isn't WHITE but it is fairly clean ..little bit of oil on the part exposed to the carbs outlet port

I'm noticing lately after i warm up the bike and get going the sound of the engine sounds more ""hollow". not popping but ...something is off
the bike rides fine overall.. especially after the first 3-5 minutes but if i park the bike for awhile (10-30 mins) restart the bike and go it has that sound again... a baffled hollowness while bringing me through 5-10-15 kph into 2nd gear


Piston rings?... I'm sure in the distant future a engine rebuild we be in order after all of these big cross provincial rides sometimes at 110 kph in 4th gear to cut through the wind.

sound about right
Rides through the rain

[Easy Rider]

Piston rings?...

No. Highly unlikely. A quick compression test would prove that one way or the other.

Given your air filter description, I think you should get a new one.
The dirt collects on the INSIDE, you know ?? It can be cleaned but when it starts looking the least bit oily, then it's done for.

My bet is that your change in engine sound is exhaust related. Either you have a loose manifold bolt or your muffler is just "burning in"......or burning OUT!! :biggrin:

Could also be a loose air box.

[Water Warrior 2]

And start buying regular gas, that higher octane stuff is not needed for a GZ.

[Canuck]

do you still ride a GZ warrior??

[Canuck]

thanks for the insight Easy

ill look into those points

[alantf]

My GZ's always sounded different when the engine's warmed up. :)

[Easy Rider]

My GZ's always sounded different when the engine's warmed up. :)

Mine did too. It had what sounded like REALLY bad valve noise when restarted HOT. It worried me a little. Then one day after about 3000 miles or so, I realized that it wasn't doing that anymore. Had no idea when it quit but was really happy that it did.

[Water Warrior 2]

do you still ride a GZ warrior??

The GZ was Lynda's first bike. I never rode it much other than back and forth to a parking lot initially and it's ride home from the dealer. The dealer to home ride was about 2.5 hours long so I had a fair bit of time to develop an opinion and actually learn it's characteristics. My role was mainly maintenance, finding stuff, making stuff and putting it on.
For the past 5 years my ride has been a Vstrom 650. A little over a year ago Lynda moved up to a Suzuki M-50. I still stick around here cause of the friendly folks, hoping to help with the knowledge base now and again And I just plain enjoy being here.

[Canuck]

Right on warrior,

glad to have your expertise around

[Water Warrior 2]

Right on warrior,

glad to have your expertise around

Thanks Canuck but I am primarily here with a degree in "How Not To's" so others can learn from my mistakes. Do you want to know how to make rear axle bearings seize at 70 MPH ??

[bonehead]

Right on warrior,

glad to have your expertise around

Thanks Canuck but I am primarily here with a degree in "How Not To's" so others can learn from my mistakes. Do you want to know how to make rear axle bearings seize at 70 MPH ??
I'm thinking that you learned how to re-upholster the seat after that happened? :roll:

[Canuck]

Actually...by the sounds of it i think i just might now ..

so tell me ..how would you do such a thing?

[Water Warrior 2]

Axle bearings are wonderful items until they are abused. Whenever the rear wheel is removed the axle spacers will almost always automatically fall out on the floor. You can put them back in place backwards which will do terrible things to the bearings and the side loads they have to endure when there is normally none. Luckily I was a short distance from a dealer which was also my destination at the time. Had them replace the bearings and put the spacers in backwards cause that's the way they came out. DUH !