1978 GS 1000 - Video Tech Support Request

[Nessism]

Well I have taken the wussy way out - I've got an appointment with the local Suzuki dealer next Tuesday to start a carb clean out and rebuild if necessary.
I'm afraid I don't have the experience or facility to deal with carbs - and I get very nervous about them.
When I get the bike back, (about a week - depending on parts) we'll address the electrical issues and or replace points and such. (That I can handle!)
-Joey

Joey,

You have an old bike, and if you run to the dealer each time a little maintenance is needed you are going to spend a LOT of money. There are also countless stories in the archives from people that took their bikes to the dealer only to get hosed and cheated. You are much better off learning how to perform the work yourself. You will save money and learn at the same time. A carb rebuild is actually quite easy if you follow the written instructions available to you here, or though basscliff's web site. For example: the O-rings in the carbs are sure to be hard and brittle, thus they need to be updated. Dealers do not stock these sort of parts so you can bet they will either try to sell you some junky aftermarket "carb kits" at $25 each, which are full of inferior parts compared to the stock Mikuni parts already inside your carbs, or they will put the carbs back together with the old O-rings instead. For $15 you can get a full O-ring kit from cycleorings.com and do the work yourself. Only other thing you are sure to need is a bucket of carb dip.

Other 100% mandatory things you need to do is change the intake boot O-rings, and adjust the valves. You must NOT skip these critical details otherwise the engine is going to get damaged. Welcome to the world of old motorcycles.

 

[SandPVRR]

Unfortunately, time, is one of the few things I don't have right now. Not that I'm trying to whine about it - but - I work a full time job, I'm running two of my own small businesses and I own an apartment house.
One of my businesses will ebb a bit in the summer - the other will pick up slightly and I'm hoping that I can ride the bike for both of these. During some down time I'll be looking into a replacement ignition system and regulator for the battery - I've heard that these can go without warning. I'm a computer technician by trade and I have no problem with electricity - but as I mentioned, carbs scare me.
-Joey
78 GS 1000
JoeyKelley.com

 

[Nessism]

Unfortunately, time, is one of the few things I don't have right now. Not that I'm trying to whine about it - but - I work a full time job, I'm running two of my own small businesses and I own an apartment house.
One of my businesses will ebb a bit in the summer - the other will pick up slightly and I'm hoping that I can ride the bike for both of these. During some down time I'll be looking into a replacement ignition system and regulator for the battery - I've heard that these can go without warning. I'm a computer technician by trade and I have no problem with electricity - but as I mentioned, carbs scare me.
-Joey
78 GS 1000
JoeyKelley.com

Okay Joey, so you know what you are getting yourself into.

I suggest you order an O-ring kit from cycleoring.com and take them with you to the dealer. Changing the intake O-rings should be done, as well as a valve adjust. You best pay for all this at the same time.

 

[Larry D]

Well, you tried Ed.........

For any other new folk reading this, a carb cleaning is actually quite an easy thing to do. I have no idea why anyone would pay someone else to do this for them. You're looking at a $100+ dollars versus about $25......

 

[Nessism]

Well, you tried Ed.........

For any other new folk reading this, a carb cleaning is actually quite an easy thing to do. I have no idea why anyone would pay someone else to do this for them. You're looking at a $100+ dollars versus about $25......

I'll bet the dealer will charge double, or triple, that for a carb cleaning. You'd be better off sending the carbs off to someone on the forum to do the work...but that won't get the valves adjusted.

 

[SandPVRR]

Ed, Larry and All,
Tell you what - when I start complaining about the bill from the dealer to do the carb cleaning - you can all line up and tell me 'I Told You So'
But if I waited to do it myself until I had time to do it - I don't know if I'd be ready for that September Moosehead rally!
-Joey

 

[Flyboy]

Joey, no sweat, i understand the lack of time, I put in 18hr days, and have time for near bugger all, and I think most guys here appriciate it as well, we all have lives that don't involve motorcycles as well.
But all Ed is saying, is that the dealers don't really do the best work on your pride and joy, and I will put folding money on the table that they will take short cuts.
So all Ed an the guys are telling you, is get the O-Rings and take them with, and tell them to install them while they re-do the carbs, that way you know they have been done right, trust me, these carbs don't need any over priced fancy fandangled kits I them, do the O-Rings and you are good to go.
No one is hacking on you, just trying to help, thats what we do.

 

[Larry D]

Not busting your balls. Just want you understand that it's nothing to be scared of. It's your money spend how you want.

I would be interested in what they charge you to have the carbs done though.

 

[SandPVRR]

Hey Flyboy -
I didn't take it that way - I was just stating a couple of facts. I do have a tendency to be pig headed - I guess thats part of having an idea of what I want to do and how to go about it, but not all the details.
I'm going to be draining the carb bowls tonight - if I can get to it inbetween a customer and some work thats piling up - I have a few more days before that trip to the dealer.
-Joey

 

[rustybronco]

You mentioned the need for a work space.

something like this will do... all 8 Sq Ft of it.

 

[BassCliff]

Hi Mr. SandPVRR,

I see another forum thread in your future....

"I had the carbs rebuilt at the dealer and it still runs like crap."

I suggest you send your carbs to someone on this forum for a proper cleaning and rebuild. The dealer will charge you $100 or more to synchronize the carbs. For that much money you can by your own manometer and do them yourself, forever.

Is there any rust in the tank?




Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[IanC]

Not feeling comfortable on something like carbs is completely understandable, I was hesitant about doing mine myself and now have 2 sets successfully done under my belt. I also understand time constraints. I would suggest, though, shipping the carbs to one of the many people on this forum that rebuild carbs vs. a dealer.
I've seen first hand how expensive having someone do them can be (to the tune of $600). People here are top notch, know GS's (something the dealer mechanic most likely will not) and won't dick you around and over charge you for half-assed work. It's definitely worth the hour or so to take the carbs off and ship them to someone here. Odds are you'll even have them back faster than going to a dealer. Renobruce and Chef are two people here off the top of my head that offer carb rebuild services. Both are long standing, respected members and honest helpful guys.
In the end, it's your bike, do what you want with it. The above is recommendation only. Best of luck with the fix and great looking skunk by the way. Pretty partial to the black and white ones myself.

 

[Adler]

I'm an idiot and I rebuilt mine!

 

[SandPVRR]

You know - it took me a few brain cells and a bit of head scratching to figure out that 'Skunk' was not actually a term of insult. Once the right circuits connected inside the old noggin - I realized that it was quite funny actually!
Thought about changing my handle on this board to 'SkunkWorx' after that...... Nah
Thank you all for the kind welcome and the compliments on the bike's appearance - like to think I got a winner here when I get the other issues straightened out. Before I started on this board, I ate six fuses on the head / tail / running light circuit in 24 hours - turned out to be three chafed wires in the Windjammer fairing. Got that sorted out and went back to the weird running issues.
I'm going to pick away at it again tonight and see what comes of it. I'll keep you all informed.
Oh and BTW - my 'work area' for those that didn't watch the video is a 10x10 tarp shed in my driveway - with no illumination and no power. I've been doing repairs by car headlight and holding a five Led light designed for lighting up the under side of cabinets.
My workbench, normally devoted to computers, is up on the second floor, requiring numerous runs up and down the stairs for tools and such. On the other hand, I'm losing weight!
-Joey
-Joey

 

[rustybronco]

My workbench, normally devoted to computers, is up on the second floor, requiring numerous runs up and down the stairs for tools and such. On the other hand, I'm losing weight!
-Joey

Then put a 1/4" ratchet, 8 and 10mm deep sockets, a 14mm wrench, a screw driver with 'well fitting' changeable bits in your back pocket and forgo the stairs...

 

[Guest]

I cant read anymore!!

 

[waterman]

(Who is thinking the goal of making a daily rider out of a 33 year old 'Skunk' might not have been his brightest move)[/QUOTE]

Update again:

Can anyone recommend a petcock rebuild kit?
-Joey

I thought I would address some of your other concerns, others here have adequately addressed your bike issues to start with.

There is no reason that your 33 year old skunk would not make a great daily rider, it can be just as reliable as any new bike once the proper maintenance has been performed on it. I drive my 650 everyday that it is semi nice out, and it has never left me stranded or given be any grief for 3 years or so. I did meticulously clean the carbs once and have checked valves once a year as well as annual oil changes. Other than gas, it needs nothing and runs great. Reliable as a Timex watch.

Most people have better results with a new petcock as opposed to rebuilding them. Common line here is buy a new one and it should give you another 20 years of trouble free service.

I enjoyed your video, but for some reason, motorcycles engine sounds never record well so it is hard for my poor ears to hear the misfiring. If you don't want to touch exhaust pipes, a little water or spit will sizzle on hot pipe.

Maybe a carb cleaning video could be made, sure that would go viral on a site like this.

 

[SandPVRR]

Waterman,
thanks for the additional compliments and comments.
Do you or anyone else, have a recommendation for a good place to purchase a new petcock?
Thanks!
-Joey

 

[cowboyup3371]

Z1 or really even your local parts store should still get one. Check Z1 out first

 

[IanC]

You can still get new ones from Suzuki I think too. Spendy, but things like that I like OEM parts.