Issues with starting/choke

[parkyeah]

I just bought my first bike (1986 GS 400S) a few weeks ago. The bike runs great once it starts but I'm having trouble with the latter...

My concern is that the choke may not be set correctly. The bike won't start with the choke. It take many attempts and eventually me opening the idle screw on the carbs to get it start. Once it does start if I put the choke on to warm it up the bike will sputter and stall. It takes opening the idle screw and giving it consistent throttle for a minute or so to hold an idle.

I cleaned out the carbs and the bike is running great once it's warmed up.

Can anyone let me know if there is a way to set the choke or if my problem may be elsewhere?

I'm new to GS's and motorcycles in general.

[Larry D]

How did you clean the carbs ? Were they completely disassembled and dipped as described in the carb cleaning tutorial ?

Have you adjusted the valves ? Hard starting can point to a needed valve adjustment.

What other maintenance have you done ?

[parkyeah]

Yes I disassembled the carbs and cleaned them out thoroughly.

I have replaced the spark plugs but that's it.

Valves is my next stop but I wanted to make sure that the choke didn't need to be set or adjusted.

[Larry D]

Don't worry much about the choke yet. Did you bench sync the carbs after they were cleaned ? They may be a bit out of sync. Do have access to a manometer (carb sync tool) ?

Adjusting the valves is your next step. After that, you can sync the carbs and get it idling and starting well.

Don't forget to check your electrical system for charging issues. Then it's just brakes, suspension, tires...and on and on.....

[matt73d]

I have the same problem after cleaning my carbs. I found that if I pop the seat off, place my hand over the air intake, use my leg to hold the clutch in, I can start my bike no problem. I have no idea why the choke doesn't work but I'd rather not take my carbs out again for another year or 2.

[tom203]

I have the same problem after cleaning my carbs. I found that if I pop the seat off, place my hand over the air intake, use my leg to hold the clutch in, I can start my bike no problem. I have no idea why the choke doesn't work but I'd rather not take my carbs out again for another year or 2.

Hmmm! So you're happy with this "no problem" starting technique? Spend a little time here and you might decide to simplify things. What model bike is it?

[BassCliff]

I have the same problem after cleaning my carbs. I found that if I pop the seat off, place my hand over the air intake, use my leg to hold the clutch in, I can start my bike no problem. I have no idea why the choke doesn't work but I'd rather not take my carbs out again for another year or 2.

Hi,

Rather than hijacking someone else's thread, why not start your own? That way, advice being given will not get confused as to which bike it refers to.

Have you adjusted your valves Mr. Matt73d? What bike do you have? What's the history? What maintenance have you done to it? Please start your own thread to answer these questions.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[parkyeah]

No, I haven't Synced the carbs. I'll add that to my list!

I was told that this bike has a rarer 8 valve 2 cylinder engine and that the valves had threaded adjusters rather than shims. Is that correct?

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Yes, I believe that bike does have the 4 valve per cylinder engine. You can tell because all of the 2 valve per cylinder engines have round cam caps and the 4 valve per cylinder engines have square-ish cam caps. You will have screw and lock nut type valve adjustment. But I'll be hornswoggled if I know the proper procedure to adjust the valves on it. I guess you'll have to read the manual.



Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff