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Scorch's GT380 revival
Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2010 9:21 pm
by Scorch
I'm finally getting back to my 380. Last episode, I was replacing the nylon timing gear, and never finished setting the points and timing. I had drained the 2-stroke oil tank, so I bled the line this afternoon and I'm about ready to take it to an experienced mechanic to set the timing properly.
I like to take pictures of everything, sometimes it's the only way I know how stuff goes back together.
Here's the oil pump and the small injector lines
I'm pretty excited to get this bike running again!
Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2010 8:52 am
by gt-keith
Don't lose the small pin that drives the oil pump.

Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2010 11:54 am
by Scorch
Yeah, thanks. That rascal is only held in place by hope and prayer!
Re: Getting my GT380 running again
Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2010 1:07 pm
by jbswear
Scorch wrote:I'm about ready to take it to an experienced mechanic to set the timing properly.
Don't bother taking it in to have it set. It's amazingly easy to do, especially if you have a digital dial indicator, which can be had at Harbor Freight for under $15.
PM sent.
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 8:11 am
by Scorch
Thanks for the info, I found the dial indicator you mentioned at HF
http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools ... 33675.html
Now, is there a spark plug adapter that will work with it? Thanks!
This?
http://www.kneedraggers.com/details/Mot ... 03549.html
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 8:23 am
by jbswear
Don't get that indicator. Go to the store and get the LCD digital inch/millimeter display. It's much easier to read and use.
That MotionPro is the complete kit--indicator included. PM sent.
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 8:24 am
by Arne
Scorch wrote:
Now, is there a spark plug adapter that will work with it? Thanks!
I hammered out the inside of a spark plug, and inserted my dial gauge through the now hollowed plug, and cut rubber gasket material to fit tight around it.
It's timed alot of bikes that way.
I also use a timing light, which is a bit faster but not as accurate.
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 8:37 am
by tz375
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 9:14 am
by jbswear
That's the one. I got it for around $15 in the store.
Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 9:46 am
by oldjapanesebikes
Arne wrote: I hammered out the inside of a spark plug, and inserted my dial gauge through the now hollowed plug, and cut rubber gasket material to fit tight around it.
Did much the same thing myself, although I used a couple of grub screws to hold things in place - works a treat and I've had it for years.

Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 10:31 am
by jbswear
oldjapanesebikes wrote:Arne wrote: I hammered out the inside of a spark plug, and inserted my dial gauge through the now hollowed plug, and cut rubber gasket material to fit tight around it.
Did much the same thing myself, although I used a couple of grub screws to hold things in place - works a treat and I've had it for years.

I need to do this!
Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 9:44 pm
by Scorch
Ok, I ordered the digital dial gauge, it should be here Friday. Cross my fingers, may there be smoke.
Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 9:59 pm
by H2RICK
I also use a timing light, which is a bit faster but not as accurate.
Exactly, Arne. I've had this argument with countless younger guys who just do not understand static timing and its advantages.
Just recently I put new points/condensers in my KZ650 (yeah, I know) and decided to time it with my timing light, just for something different.
Bad idea !!
The poor thing ran like crap, even though the light SAID it was timed correctly. I then went back over it with my analog ohmmeter and reset everything to where the meter showed they SHOULD be. Now she runs like a champ.
IMO, the only thing a timing light is any good for is checking if your advancer is working properly.....but THAT'S one problem our Suzis DON'T have.

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 8:05 am
by Suzsmokeyallan
Thats Interesting Rick, i remember when the 69 T500 was together and i decided to check the timing as just by looking at the settings on the plate they looked to be slightly off. I did it the old fashioned way by using the marks and after, Dave said lets see how the light compares.
He checked it over and both cylinders were to their respective alignments, it didn't even need a complete lever kick and it would fire right up.
Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 8:25 am
by H2RICK
The big "positive" with our Suzis, Allan, is that there's no mechanical advancer mechanism to introduce any errors. With a fixed advance, your chances of setting the timing correctly are greatly enhanced......and it stays rock steady in operation.....and, if you look after your points rubbing block lubrication, the setting will be very "durable".
My Kawi timing, OTOH, was bouncing all over the place at idle because of the advancer mechanism.......even though the bike has only ~13,000 kilometres on it.....AND the advancer has been lovingly cleaned and lubricated by myself in my normal maintenance cycles. Heck, I went so far as to disassemble the new point sets and lubricate THEIR pivots with synthetic grease to insure as little wear and error as possible.
There are just too many rubbing/pivoting mechanical bits in the advancer assembly for it to be very accurate, no matter the speed.
