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Need help getting my bike perfect

  • Thread starter Thread starter pjm204
  • Start date Start date
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pjm204

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You may recall I had some issues with my bike not running on all 4 cylinders. I have that all sorted out but now the number 1 carb is leaking. It looks like from the right side probably the overflow. The number 2 carb seems to puff mist of gas out every so often during startup. The plugs are dark and slightly wet. It does pop a bit from the exhaust, mostly during startup. Lastly, when using the turn signal, both of the front signals are constantly lit, the left one will flash but the right one does not.

Background:
1982 GS1100E, cleaned carbs(replaced gaskets and some o-rings), changed oil, checked/adjusted valves, sync'd carbs, changed coils to newer katana coils.

I just ordered an o-ring kit from cycleorings.com and I assume that somehow the float height is wrong. I set it to 22.4 but with all of the plugs black and one carb leaking, something is wrong. I do have new needles and seats from k&l rebuild kits. Should I use them and if so, is the float heigh still 22.4?

Thanks
 
With the blinkers (flashers) check for a bad earth somewhere.
 
My guess is that the float level is not set correctly. A common mistake is to measure from the top (the mounting surface) of the float, instead of the bottom of that step.

See if this picture shows how you are measuring your float height.

IMG_2161.jpg
Click to expand...

User Steve posted this..are you measuring the float height at the correct spot. You want the float raised slightly off the needle valve when taking the measurement. Make sure the bowl gasket is removed.
 
okay, so the tab on the float should not be touching the "springy tip" of the needle when measuring?
 
okay, so the tab on the float should not be touching the "springy tip" of the needle when measuring?
Click to expand...

According to the factory manual...with the float arm kept free, measure the float height while float arm is just in contact with the needle valve by using the calipers. Bend the tongue as necessary to bring the height to this value.
 
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okay so the float heights appear to all be very close. So what could be causing the leak/rich condition?
 
pjm204 said:
okay so the float heights appear to all be very close. So what could be causing the leak/rich condition?
Click to expand...

#2 could be getting extra fuel from the vacuum line going to the petcock, if the petcock diaphram gets old it leaks fuel.

As for the rest, it probably needs a good long Italian tune up.
 
pjm204 said:
The plugs are dark and slightly wet.

Thanks
Click to expand...

did you test the plugs by taking one out at a time and placing it on the body of the engine while still connected to the plug wire then turn the engine over?

cause if your plugs are wet you are not getting spark.
 
I am not familiar with the K&L needles and seats.

What I can vouch for is I used Parts n More needles and seats only to discover they were junk.

A good "springy" needle will not allow the springy part to depress when the float arm is resting on it.

The under-par after market @#$%^@#%^ ones I used were not like that, they had severe sag.

After 22 bucks a piece for new OEM needles and seats, the bike runs like a top.


Carb leaks from over flow are caused by a poor needle to seat relationship and also if any orifice is clogged to allow the bowl pressure to balance out to atmospheric pressure.
 
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Install the new o-rings when you get them. I bet it solves the problem. I'm guessing it's a needle valve seat o-ring.:)
 
I think it might be my petcock. Though the petcock doesn't leak when the tank is off the bike.

I'm ****ed though, it is running on 3 cylinders again. I think the sparkplug is fowled again.
 
Alright so here is where I am at right now. I have found that it is leaking fuel from the fuel tube between carbs 1 and 2. I ordered an O-ring kit from robert barr. I am going to go back to #45 pilots since the carbs seem to foul during idle. I will also replace the battery since i question how good it is. Hopefully this will get the bike to where it needs to be.
 
Alright so I installed my O-ring kit from Robert Barr. No more leak from the fuel tube. I also installed the #45 pilot jets. It seems to run better but is still a bit cold blooded. The number 2 cylinder takes a minute or so to fire up it seems. It doesn't run that well with the choke, it seems like the choke makes it too rich and fowls the plugs. I confirmed that all of the "restrictors" are in place on the choke tubes. Once I am riding it, it runs well though there is a bit of a flat spot around 4k rpm.

Current setup is 122.5 main, 45 pilot, 2.75 turns out, stock airbox
 
Current setup is 122.5 main, 45 pilot, 2.75 turns out, stock airbox
Click to expand...

Have you done a vacuum sync yet? If you have access to a colortune you may want to fine tune the mixture screws.
 
I used a carbtube after doing the valves a couple weeks ago. However since then I have had the carbs off several times. It likely needs to be done again. I'm not sure if it matters much but the pilot air jet is #160.
 
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