GS1100 Carb Rebuild Service on E-bay

[almarconi]

it was cold blooded, but it ran extremely well when warmed up

When was the last time the valves were checked/adjusted?

[sedelen]

When was the last time the valves were checked/adjusted?

Actually, I don't know. I'm the 4th owner, and I believe the bike was well maintained throughout it life, but............ I would have to say in it's 14K
life at least once because the valve gasket has been replaced. Ironic though you asked that, as that's what's being done to it now, I just delivered the valve cover gasket, new breather material and breather gasket to the mechanic. I had read several posts (some lengthy) about the valves not completely closing, or not completely closing when it was hot, causing problems that appear to be carb related. So, I'll see how that goes before addressing the carb issue again, but quite frankly even though this mechanic is at his wit's end with these carbs, I've discussed the possiblility of the valves not closing when it heats up, and he scoffed at the idea. It may have a valve problem, but I still believe it has a carb problem as you don't even need to choke it to get it going when it's cold.
And when you open the throttle black smoke comes out the exhaust, the plugs come out a powdery black. He should be getting back with me soon.
When the engine temp reaches 210 degrees, the bike just dies on me, it'll start right up again, but won't idle or stay running, unless I pour on the throttle. Once it cools down, it runs OK or should I say better, which means it still burns lots of gas, hesitates off the start, and doesn't run very smooth.

[tkent02]

so, i'll see how that goes before addressing the carb issue again, but quite frankly even though this mechanic is at his wit's end with these carbs, i've discussed the possiblility of the valves not closing when it heats up, and he scoffed at the idea.

get rid of this guy, he knows nothing, or worse, he's being dishonest with you.

[Nessism]

Actually, I don't know. I'm the 4th owner, and I believe the bike was well maintained throughout it life, but............ I would have to say in it's 14K
life at least once because the valve gasket has been replaced. Ironic though you asked that, as that's what's being done to it now, I just delivered the valve cover gasket, new breather material and breather gasket to the mechanic. I had read several posts (some lengthy) about the valves not completely closing, or not completely closing when it was hot, causing problems that appear to be carb related. So, I'll see how that goes before addressing the carb issue again, but quite frankly even though this mechanic is at his wit's end with these carbs, I've discussed the possiblility of the valves not closing when it heats up, and he scoffed at the idea. It may have a valve problem, but I still believe it has a carb problem as you don't even need to choke it to get it going when it's cold.
And when you open the throttle black smoke comes out the exhaust, the plugs come out a powdery black. He should be getting back with me soon.
When the engine temp reaches 210 degrees, the bike just dies on me, it'll start right up again, but won't idle or stay running, unless I pour on the throttle. Once it cools down, it runs OK or should I say better, which means it still burns lots of gas, hesitates off the start, and doesn't run very smooth.

Checking the valves is one of the first things that needs to be done with any new GS purchase since so many idiot PO's never do it. There is a good chance your bike has 14k miles without ever being checked.

Regarding this mechanic of yours, you would be better off doing the work yourself and learning. Paying someone to work on a 30 year old vehicle is very expensive since there is always something new to do.

Carbs are easy to deal with as long as the bike is stock. As for rich running, that would be a stuck float or leaking petcock. Ignition problems often get mistakenly classified as carb problems too so make sure everything is up to snuff in that respect too before you go chasing your tail on a carb problem that doesn't exist.

Good luck.

[don_gibb6512]

Here's a picture of the beast as it was taken by the prior owner.

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/photog...gs-GS1100E.jpg

Are you KIDDING me? Where do you guys FIND these bikes? Holy smokes that is about as beautiful as they come. You sir, are one lucky man.

[sedelen]

Are you KIDDING me? Where do you guys FIND these bikes? Holy smokes that is about as beautiful as they come. You sir, are one lucky man.

I thought the '82 GS1100E in that Candy Fancy Maroon paint was a good looking bike. Wished it had all the updates the '83 had, like the welded crank, 140mph speedometer, higher red-line tach, newer footpegs and mounts. Anyway, I found this bike locally and even though I wanted a
GS1000E, decided to get it and still seek out a GS1000E which I also got
several months later.

[Steve]

Too bad you did not start posting about this bike about the time it went into the shop.

I was just down the road from you in Lake Wales, bored to death, spending my weekends in futile searches for interesting roads. I would have come up there to help you work on your bike and you would have been riding it all summer.

Unfortunately for you, I left there in May, no idea if I will be back any time soon.

If you get your bike back and the carbs are still not right, Chef is definitely qualified to set them straight for you. I could do it, too, but I am on the road too much. I do bring my tools (including my mercury sticks), but I don't bring my carb dip.

.

[sedelen]

Too bad you did not start posting about this bike about the time it went into the shop.

I was just down the road from you in Lake Wales, bored to death, spending my weekends in futile searches for interesting roads. I would have come up there to help you work on your bike and you would have been riding it all summer.

Unfortunately for you, I left there in May, no idea if I will be back any time soon.

If you get your bike back and the carbs are still not right, Chef is definitely qualified to set them straight for you. I could do it, too, but I am on the road too much. I do bring my tools (including my mercury sticks), but I don't bring my carb dip.

.

I did spend alot of time working on the GS1000E this summer, it was so hot and humid, still I managed to keep one bike up and running for a weekly ride, regardless of all the work I put into it. Still I wished I we could've met up and done some riding, Daytona, New Symrna, and Cocoa beach are all an hour away. See you're in Southwest Ohio, like maybe Cincinatti?, I came down from Columbus in late 2005.

[Steve]

See you're in Southwest Ohio, like maybe Cincinatti?, I came down from Columbus in late 2005.

I have a mailing address on the south side of Dayton, but my work keeps me on the road a LOT.

Right now I'm in western Mississippi, I have been down here since September 21 and will be home November 19.

I was in Lake Wales from January 2 to May 7, but did not make it out of Flori-duh until May 14, due to engine failure in my van.

.

[sedelen]

Are you KIDDING me? Where do you guys FIND these bikes? Holy smokes that is about as beautiful as they come. You sir, are one lucky man.

E-bay!
Here's one for you, just like mine, but better, only 1,850 miles, probably has carb problems too, as it's been in dry storage for 28 years.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1982-SUZUKI-GS1100E-ONLY-1850-ORIGINAL-MILES-/260692273860?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item3cb2786ac4#v4-35

[sedelen]

When was the last time the valves were checked/adjusted?

The valves have checked out OK, minor adjustments, but nothing tighter than the minimum, believe it to be 3mm. Now it's back to putting stock jets in the carbs. If that doesn't work will probably send off the carbs to Chef with the O ring kit I got from Robert Barr, and that's what's going on with the GS1100E, now for my GS1000E, I have leaking O ring manifold boots, a little WD40 on No. 2 boot and it changes the rpm, a little on No. 1 boot and I can actually see the WD40 get sucked in. I've read all the posts, at least all I could find about replacing those, other than getting the airbox in, the big dread is the possibility of stuck screws and getting those out. To my advantage, the screws look new, unblemished heads that is. So, as I consider all the options I'm still undecided if I want to tackle this one right now.