Very low compression problem solved - sort of...

[SVSooke]

See post above.Stop over thinking!

[baz666]

Okay, you're right. I'll shut up now, change the oil when I get home and take the bike out for a run and see what happens.
As a side note, I've been riding a friend's Honda XL500 dual-sport dirt bike while my GS has been down and I tell ya, in city traffic, a big trail bike with street(ish) tires is tough to beat.

All right, enough head scratching... I'll report back after I've taken the GS for a run.
thanks,
baz

[tkent02]

Throw away that silly compression tester and go for a ride. A long hard ride.

[baz666]

I put away the compression tester and put everything back together, fairings, etc. The bike cranked for a while, stumble, farted, backfired then finally fired. It ran very rough for a few minutes but I resisted temptations to mess with the carbs, etc. It slowly began to steady out. I was pretty tentative putting on my helmet but thought, "What the hell, the worst that can happen is I trash the engine, right?"
So we went out and the bike squalled and stuttered and stumbled through first, second, third. Within about 10 minutes the power was coming on smoother, some black smoke emitted for a few seconds then cleared up and it's as if the bike had coughed out a hairball. All of a sudden she was revving smoothly through the powerband, firing cleanly up to about 8,000 rpm. I didn't risk taking it higher than that.
I hit the highway and really opened her up. Man, it was sweet music to hear that banshee wail again, with no sudden braps or stalls, just smooth power delivery.
I kept looking in the mirror expecting to see smoke or something but no, everything was running smooth. Temp came up to normal, which takes a while on this bike.
Of course, I didn't want to get off the bike and kept going, found some snakey two-lane roads north of town and swung through the curves for a couple hours till I ran through most of a tank of gas.
She was smooth as silk heading back home.
I went out early this morning to make sure and yep, she fired right up and idled nice and clean. I rode her to work for the first time in ages and man, it felt so good.
So a huge thanks to everyone who had the good grace and patience to hold my hand through this adventure. I can't believe we actually managed it, especially with ME wielding the wrenches!
thanks again and have a great summer, I sure plan to!
baz

[Big T]

YaY!!!!

See, we can be right some of the time

This is one of those times

Wasn't that better than the rebuild the engine diagnosis you got?

[cowboyup3371]

Congratulations on getting it out and running again.

[baz666]

Thanks again!
I couldn't have done it without the good folks on this forum.

Now all I need to do is sort out a minor front turn signal wiring issue, install a new back tire that doesn't spin up on corner exits (thanks a #&*#! ton, Mr. Kenda) and install the low mileage rear monoshock I picked up. After that she'll be prime!

[tkent02]

Kenda, the Greek God of Slipperyness.

[SVSooke]

Almost hate to say this(not really) but told you so

[niclpnut]

Cool beans brother.

Glad you got that crap straightened out!


Off to the races


Nic