Side cover power valve bearings?

T

Terrence R

New member
Is there a way of checking to see if these ball bearings are still in place without removing the side cover? Doing a top end fresh up and wasn't planning on opening the bottom end at all. Bike seemed to work decent. Signed off a bit early on top, but I think that was do to the thinner base gasket I had in it. But, I never drove it before the thinner base gasket was installed, so I don't really know what to expect from the bike. I just wanna make sure those balls are in place. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanx.
 
Pull the right hand cylinder pv cover and see that it is moving and staying open. Losing a ball would delay the opening and would probably also be painful.
 
The top end is currently off the bike. I was wondering if there's a way to check with the top end off, and without having to remove the bottom end side cover.
 
gasgasman said:
You should be able to pull up on the actuator rod -3/8" max- it should return smoothly.
Click to expand...

Ok. I did play with that rod a bit. It seems to return good. I don't want to keep messing with it though cause I hear that by doing that, the balls can drop out in the side case. I noticed when I did do it, that there was a bit of sloppy play before I would feel some tension on it. I'm not sure what the norm is though.
 
The preload needs to be adjusted.

Now would be a good time to do it.
If, you have a new clutch cover gasket.
 
gasgasman said:
The preload needs to be adjusted.

Now would be a good time to do it.
If, you have a new clutch cover gasket.
Click to expand...

And how do I adjust the preload? I've been doing a bit of reading here and can only find posts that say that it needs to be done and similar stuff like that, but no real explanation on how to do it.
 
I'm just ganna bite the bullet and order gaskets. It's ganna cost me a bunch of money though cause I don't have a dealer no where's near my area. That's the only reason why I didn't want to open up the bottom end. Getting parts is nightmare here financially. I'm getting sick of sourcing parts for this thing. Shipping costs are killing me. I'm strongly considering switching to a brand of bike that I can easily get parts for and not have to worry about ridiculous wait times for actually receiving the parts, that's if they actually show up. Sorry about the rant.
 
Terrence R said:
And how do I adjust the preload? I've been doing a bit of reading here and can only find posts that say that it needs to be done and similar stuff like that, but no real explanation on how to do it.
Click to expand...

Here is a LONG post about adj the power valve http://www.gasgasrider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=9517&highlight=power+valve+adjustment

Highlights are...
page 1 post # 6 how to do it

Page 4 post #39 Pics of parts

Page 6 post # 60 pic of how to "preload the power valve" use two one on either side

thats just the highlights I would scan through it.
 
Neil E. said:
Don't know where you are in Canada, but I've bought parts by phone from this shop: http://langsoffroad.com/
Click to expand...

I didn't want to bring it up, but now that it's mentioned, my experience with Lang's has been literally "hit or miss". Sometimes he would send my order out, sometimes not. Also, wanted to order just piston rings for my wossner piston; he wouldn't do it. Said he could only sell a complete piston kit. I had to order the rings right from John wossner in California. Don't get me wrong; langs is great when I DO receive my orders and he DOES process it. Rob Lang seems to be a great guy and I'm pretty easy to please when buying parts. But I can't rely on him based on some experiences I've had with Langs. However, I still have to occasionally order from him and I'll still do so as he is the only source I have around here for gasser parts. I hope the new gasser owners will contribute to the parts source problems that we have here and many other places around the world. It's not an understatement when serious dirt bike riders won't buy Gasgas simply because getting parts is a nightmare. Sorry to rant and go off topic.
 
Terrence R said:
I didn't want to bring it up, but now that it's mentioned, my experience with Lang's has been literally "hit or miss". Sometimes he would send my order out, sometimes not. Also, wanted to order just piston rings for my wossner piston; he wouldn't do it. Said he could only sell a complete piston kit. I had to order the rings right from John wossner in California. Don't get me wrong; langs is great when I DO receive my orders and he DOES process it. Rob Lang seems to be a great guy and I'm pretty easy to please when buying parts. But I can't rely on him based on some experiences I've had with Langs. However, I still have to occasionally order from him and I'll still do so as he is the only source I have around here for gasser parts. I hope the new gasser owners will contribute to the parts source problems that we have here and many other places around the world. It's not an understatement when serious dirt bike riders won't buy Gasgas simply because getting parts is a nightmare. Sorry to rant and go off topic.
Click to expand...

It's not an issue that is purely isolated to Gas Gas, and really is something that is location dependant. Where I live none of the dealers particularly carry anything locally, thus everything is 'on order'. If something is on back order you can be left waiting a long time, as can happen if you have a breakdown in communication or a weak link in the chain of supply. Again, can happen with any particular brand.

Consumables are easily sourced, and if you are serious about not missing ride time you order well in advance of when it is required. It limits the frustrations of knowing a ride is coming and parts not there. It's not that much of an investment to hold a complete gasket kit, some spare bearings, and a piston kit, brake levers and pads, etc. You can also tag items onto other purchases as to maintain your 'spares' and limit the added expenses associated with postage. All about planning.
 
Understandable about the back order thing. But all things being equal; I can go to any local dealer 30 mins from my house and get/order parts for decent prices for KTM, Husqvarna, Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, husaberg, and even the betas which have only been available in the enduro market for just 3 years now. It's not just a problem with oem gasser parts. It's just as terrible here with aftermarket stuff. At the local bike shops, I can order parts that will be here in the same week as the order for all the brands I mentioned above. Gasgas parts aren't even listed in any of the parts catalogs here AND throughout lots of other places in this world. What's up with that? Parts distributors don't even consider listing Gasgas parts. I would have better luck order for Chinese bikes than Gasgas. Planning ahead is one thing, but shipping charges and import charges are ridiculous. And if it was location dependant, then why are there all kinds of post in other forums that mention this very same problem? I have a feeling that I'll be on a beta soon.
 
Terrence R said:
Understandable about the back order thing. But all things being equal; I can go to any local dealer 30 mins from my house and get/order parts for decent prices for KTM, Husqvarna, Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, husaberg, and even the betas which have only been available in the enduro market for just 3 years now. It's not just a problem with oem gasser parts. It's just as terrible here with aftermarket stuff. At the local bike shops, I can order parts that will be here in the same week as the order for all the brands I mentioned above. Gasgas parts aren't even listed in any of the parts catalogs here AND throughout lots of other places in this world. What's up with that? Parts distributors don't even consider listing Gasgas parts. I would have better luck order for Chinese bikes than Gasgas. Planning ahead is one thing, but shipping charges and import charges are ridiculous. And if it was location dependant, then why are there all kinds of post in other forums that mention this very same problem? I have a feeling that I'll be on a beta soon.
Click to expand...

Why?? Because Gas Gas is very much a boutique brand still. Demand and supply, and the demand is simply not there for the big after market players to supply.

As an owner of a boutique brand the ball is in your court to either take steps to know/cross reference after market items from other brands (which there are many of), and to know where to and how to source parts prior to needing them. The community here does a great job of helping out, and my experiences with the importers and distributers both in Australia and the states has been positive. Not always prompt, or problem free, but positive overall.

I understand that boutique brands aren't for everyone and the frustrations that come along with it. Strong advertising and popularity drive demand, which in turn allows supply to follow. It's what has brought ktm to where they are today. The catch is that unless if some people support Gas Gas and help in creating the demand that they'll always remain boutique. I'd put TM and Sherco in a similar boat. Beta is already contending with Ktm in terms of popularity and demand. They have produced a product that riders want, made it available, and done so at the right price. It's all business model, and Gas Gas is just coming out of a period where the company was all but done. No surprise that parts aren't abundant on every corner.

And after all that, I'm not even brand loyal. My next bike will be whatever I can get a deal on that best meets my purposes. I've got nothing against anyone for selecting a bike, so please don't take my post as being hostile. Just trying to keep things in perspective.
 
So true. I like my "off-the-wall" brands. But I'm a little different than my friends. I like different things. I have been building my stock of parts and gaskets. Extra wheel bearings are my next purchase.

My biggest issue is for the most part my local guys have a hard time cross referencing parts so sometimes I order from Halls or Matto. But I like to keep my money local if I can.
 
I try and order whatever i can thru my local yamaha guy as hes a good mate and i turnover farmquads regularly with him.however he often struggles to find parts listings too.usually i find what i want online,grab the part no and give it to him to source.it may not always be the cheapest but he looks after me with consumables and riding gear etc
All part of owning something a little different from the rest.imo the downside is everyone wants a turn on it!
Usual feedback goes-love the engine,love the hyd clutch,that seat is hard tho! (13)
Its to remind you to get up on the pegs and be a better rider!
 
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