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if its cold, forget it

  • Thread starter Thread starter kb_air
  • Start date Start date
K

kb_air

Guest
I have a 1978 gs 750 I've sunk a LOT of time and money into. i got it running fairly well but am still having a few issues. If the bike is cold it almost begs for ether. i have to choke it every time and kick it off 100 times before it starts to fire, and it takes me revving it choked for 10 mins for it not to die.(i no longer have a electric start so im kicking it off and its exhausting). after i get it started it runs fine... unless its at night and/or just a TINY bit chilly, then its starts spitting, sputtering, backfiring, and almost seems to bog down when i hit the throttle and just losing power. (more spitting and sputtering than bogging down)

i have new spark plugs, but no new wires (im kind of hoping that the plugs aren't firing as hot as they should). i have cleaned, and re-cleaned the carbs, re jetted them, new air filter, new exhaust... so is this an ignition problem, a motor issue thats over my head, some simple solution that will take 0 money and 2 mins of my time (<-- putting my money on the last one) please help!
 
Have you done a valve adjustment ? Difficult starting when cold is a tell-tale sign of a needed valve adjustment. :)
 
Larry D said:
Have you done a valve adjustment ? Difficult starting when cold is a tell-tale sign of a needed valve adjustment. :)
Click to expand...

Ditto


What's the voltage at your coils?

Do you have points ignition?
 
yeah, check ignition timing and make sure your carbs are sync'd and give the screw settings a once-over. I had a Honda that wouldn't start when cold and sputtered a lot because it ran on 3 cylinders with the choke on, and syncing the carbs completely fixed the problem. Also, there are 4 little fingers on the choke rod that lift the plungers. When I got my '79, one of the fingers had come loose, so the choke on that carb wasn't actuating. Pretty easy thing to check and fix, if by chance that's the problem.
 
Larry D said:
Have you done a valve adjustment ? Difficult starting when cold is a tell-tale sign of a needed valve adjustment. :)
Click to expand...

i haven't. im not even sure how. would there be any decent instruction in the manual?
 
Do you remember your thread way back in October when Basscliff gave you the mega-welcome? Go back and read through his site and you'll find the instructions you need.

Like others have said before, slow down a bit and do some research.
 
kb_air said:
i haven't. im not even sure how. would there be any decent instruction in the manual?
Click to expand...

It's not difficult. The instructions on Cliff's site for the 8 valve bikes will help you alot. You'll need a new valve cover gasket, I suggest a Real Gasket, they are re-usable and work pretty well, don't over-tighten them, just enough so it squishs a little. You'll also need some feeler gauges.

Just some math and a little wrenching....and cleaning the old valve cover gasket off, which to me, is the worst part.

Have you used the search feature ? It's very helpful for finding answers to questions you may have. Of course, don't hesitate to ask if you need to. :)
 
i talked with an old mechanic i ran into and were going to meet up and get my carbs synced and clean off my points. ill let yall know what the result is when there is one.
 
Arghhhh! I have said this time and time again. Get rid of the points and condenser ignition!! There are very good modern replacements out there that are set and forget, why do people want to stick with antiquated garbage??
 
I've learned (am learning) the hard way that not listening to the advice given freely when asked for leads to many many more problems that would have been resolved the first time. I just hate to see people continue having issues because they didn't bother to make the effort to try especially knowing the problems could have been resolved sooner had they.
 
cowboyup3371 said:
I've learned (am learning) the hard way that not listening to the advice given freely when asked for leads to many many more problems that would have been resolved the first time. I just hate to see people continue having issues because they didn't bother to make the effort to try especially knowing the problems could have been resolved sooner had they.
Click to expand...

well man, I never even thought to sync the carbs or clean the points until i asked here. So I am taking that advice, I don't understand what assumption your running on that says I'm not. 3 people mentioned maybe syncing my carbs, and someone else said to check my points. thats what im doing, and the only thing i know to do at this point that would make the most sense on my budget and expertise.
 
kb_air said:
well man, I never even thought to sync the carbs or clean the points until i asked here. So I am taking that advice, I don't understand what assumption your running on that says I'm not. 3 people mentioned maybe syncing my carbs, and someone else said to check my points. thats what im doing, and the only thing i know to do at this point that would make the most sense on my budget and expertise.
Click to expand...

Before you sync you need to adjust the valve clearances. Your sync will he all for naught if you adjust them after as it can change.

And tight valve clearances is THE number one cause of hard cold starting. This should be done before you continue with anything else.
 
yes, this.
TheCafeKid said:
Before you sync you need to adjust the valve clearances. Your sync will he all for naught if you adjust them after as it can change.

And tight valve clearances is THE number one cause of hard cold starting. This should be done before you continue with anything else.
Click to expand...
 
I'm doing my valves tonight. I've already gotten the cover off and tried to measure clearances. No dice... All are too tight to get even a .038mm feeler in.

It's easy, and if you neglect it you'll end up damaging the engine.
 
Recently found this true myself. Carbs synced with valves half ass adjusted and new shims on the way. When I got the valves into spec it threw the carb sync off a little.

Valves First!
 
Last edited:
kb_air said:
well man, I never even thought to sync the carbs or clean the points until i asked here. So I am taking that advice, I don't understand what assumption your running on that says I'm not. 3 people mentioned maybe syncing my carbs, and someone else said to check my points. thats what im doing, and the only thing i know to do at this point that would make the most sense on my budget and expertise.
Click to expand...

I have been on this site only a couple months longer than yourself and I understand what your feeling. I am on two motorcycle forum sites (the other an XS site) and I have noted that over here on this site there can be tendency for members to be short & maybe even seem irritated sometimes. Most of them mean well. I understand your frustration as I have been battling my GS for months now too. What I can say about this site is that it is easily the most comprehensive I have seen and members like BassCliff have excellent sites as well with a wealth of information that go hand in hand with GS Resource. Hang in there my friend. Good Luck!
 
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