Bike not starting

[Mike]

Finally got my carbs put back together and tried to start it. Nothing. Just cranks and cranks. Every once in awhile, it'll fire for a split second when I let off the starter button, but other than that, it won't fire. I've got the battery hooked up to my car to make sure it's not low on juice (the car isn't running). I pulled the plugs and laid them on the head, and they're sparking. The bike ran before I pulled the carbs, so I can't imagine that the timing is off or anything too major.

Thoughts?

[Mike]

Also - I pulled the line from the tank and turned the petcock to prime and gas did come out.

[mike_of_bbg]

Did you "bench sync" the carbs before you put them back on? If one of the throttles is completely closed, it's unlikely a twin can start on just one. If one is too open it probably won't suck in enough fuel.

Are you using choke or no?

How many turns were the idle screws out before you disassembled the carbs? How many did you set them to putting them back on?

[tkent02]

Every once in awhile, it'll fire for a split second when I let off the starter button, but other than that, it won't fire.

This is a clue, check the voltage to the ignition while the starter is turning. It sounds like the voltage is too low, so it's not sparking until you release the starter button.

[Mike]

This is a clue, check the voltage to the ignition while the starter is turning. It sounds like the voltage is too low, so it's not sparking until you release the starter button.

How would I do that? Like where exactly would I put the leads? I'll have to go pick up a volt meter tomorrow first

[tkent02]

The orange and white wire going to the coils.

[Mike]

This is the part of the thread where I am mocked mercilessly

Took the carbs off and saw the problem immediately. I had the throttle cable horribly tight and the butterflies where about 30% open with the throttle off. Closed that up and it fired right up.

NOW - it idles erratically and if I give it some gas, it dies. I'm assuming I just need to mess with the adjustment screws?

[Nessism]

4) ?

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=171846

[Mike]

4) ?

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

Airbox is in place

[Mike]

One thing I will point out - I absolutely could NOT get those damn adjustment screws out when I was cleaning the carbs. They turn no problem, but getting them out of the body? Not happening. Other than that, I'm clueless.

[mike_of_bbg]

Did you dip the carbs? In what?

Yours is a twin so I'm not familiar with your carbs. The 4-cyl CV carbs have an o-ring under the idle screw, Berryman's or Gunk might well melt that.

[Nessism]

GS bikes are lean from the factory so they need to warm up before they will accept throttle. I assume the air filter is installed and the airbox lid is sealed up. You might want to set the pilot screws to 3 turns and see if that helps. Just so you know the bike won't run with plugged pilot jets and plugged choke tubes. Basically the carbs need to be spotless, you need fresh O-rings in the carbs, and you need fresh O-rings in the intake boots.

Good luck and hope this helps.

[Mike]

Pilot jets are brand new. All new rings in the carb (except for the adjustment screw).

Dipped both carbs in berryman's overnight.

Next step is to jb weld something to the screw to get it to come out (not permanently)

[pete]

I used a tiny jewellers flat blade to get my mixture screws out.

Hard to describe, but I was able to slide it down under the lip of the head and "walk" it out. Tedious and painful, but being careful meant I didn't damage the new O rings either.

[Mike]

I'm wondering if I should replace the air filter as well. Maybe it got soaked and ruined when the airbox flooded with gas.