Editor’s note: If you’re having trouble with that old Suzuki, BSA or BMW, Keith Fellenstein is your guy. From motorcycle tuning tips to detailed motorcycle engine repair, he can draw from a wealth of experience to help guide you to success. Send questions to: Keith’s Garage, Motorcycle Classics, 1503 SW 42nd St., Topeka, KS 66609, or send an e-mail with “Keith’s Garage” as the subject.
A: From the how-wrong-can-I-be department, here’s a correction to last issue’s column. Reader Leon Hogan writes in with this Suzuki advice. — Keith
“Hello, Keith, I am writing about a question you received for the March/ April issue from Dwight Plucker about adding gauges to his 1981 Suzuki GS1000G. I am the owner of a 1980 Suzuki GS1000G, and the last gauge you want to put on these bikes is an oil pressure gauge. This version of the GS engine uses a roller bearing crank and the oil system works on flow not pressure. I had made the mistake of installing an oil pressure gauge on mine and proceeded to figuratively have a stroke when I discovered it had virtually no oil pressure at idle when warm. Removal of the valve cover and running the engine showed plenty of oil was reaching the top end. Further research showed the switch for the oil light was for indicating no flow, not low pressure. However, a compact digital voltmeter is very important to have on these old Suzukis.”