1978 GS 1000 - Video Tech Support Request

[SandPVRR]

The crappy throttle response in your video is most likely due to a combination of ignition and fuel issues causing it to run on 3 cylinders - but it should run better on 3 than yours does, that's why I suspect the ignition components

Big T - If you were in my shoes - trying to make this a reliable weekend cruiser and daily commuter bike - would you at this point put in a whole new electronic ignition system?
-Joey

[Big T]

Big T - If you were in my shoes - trying to make this a reliable weekend cruiser and daily commuter bike - would you at this point put in a whole new electronic ignition system?
-Joey

Absolutely - it's cost effective compared to points and condensors over time. My 78 has had a Dyna S in it since the early 80's. I finally checked the timing last year, still spot on

But, you seem to be going down paths that make no sense - like pulling the airbox?

You are asking a very experienced group what your problem is, then completely ignoring most of the advice.

What's the point of that?

Is #3 cold? Did you test it when you started it back up again?

I'm nominating you and NOS for the first two "I told you so" awards of the year.

Yes, you will do harm to the bike if you ride it in the current condition.

Why do you want to torture it?

BTW, it's a beautiful example and your video is very helpful

[Flyboy]

I have to agree with Octain and Big T, you have been given some excelent advice here, by senior members who know what they are talking about, and the common denominator is to take the cards off, strip, dip and clean them thoroughly, replacing the O-Rings, including the intake boot O-Rings.
But two pages later, you are still side stepping the issue, and refuse to follow good advise, instead you want to muck about with nonsence like pulling off air boxes and changing plugs three times a day and who knows what not.

This forum is populated by good folk, with plenty experience and knowlege when it comes to GS motorcycles, who will go out of thier way and bust a gut to help anyone, but unless you follow the advise given, it is all pointless, and quite frankly, I see it as a slap in the face to those members.
So until such time as you face up to reality, this thread is pointless, you can't help a man who won't help himself.
Sorry, I had to say it.

Now get those carbs off and into the dip, and lets help you get that beautiful bike of yours purring like a kitten.

[SandPVRR]

Well I have taken the wussy way out - I've got an appointment with the local Suzuki dealer next Tuesday to start a carb clean out and rebuild if necessary.
I'm afraid I don't have the experience or facility to deal with carbs - and I get very nervous about them.
When I get the bike back, (about a week - depending on parts) we'll address the electrical issues and or replace points and such. (That I can handle!)
-Joey

[cowboyup3371]

You don't need anything more than the tutorial on Cliff's site, orings from Mr. Barr, and your garage to do this. And you will know that they will come out right. They only will take about 4 days being in the dip (if done right) and a few hours disassembling/reassembling them.

[Nessism]

Well I have taken the wussy way out - I've got an appointment with the local Suzuki dealer next Tuesday to start a carb clean out and rebuild if necessary.
I'm afraid I don't have the experience or facility to deal with carbs - and I get very nervous about them.
When I get the bike back, (about a week - depending on parts) we'll address the electrical issues and or replace points and such. (That I can handle!)
-Joey

Joey,

You have an old bike, and if you run to the dealer each time a little maintenance is needed you are going to spend a LOT of money. There are also countless stories in the archives from people that took their bikes to the dealer only to get hosed and cheated. You are much better off learning how to perform the work yourself. You will save money and learn at the same time. A carb rebuild is actually quite easy if you follow the written instructions available to you here, or though basscliff's web site. For example: the O-rings in the carbs are sure to be hard and brittle, thus they need to be updated. Dealers do not stock these sort of parts so you can bet they will either try to sell you some junky aftermarket "carb kits" at $25 each, which are full of inferior parts compared to the stock Mikuni parts already inside your carbs, or they will put the carbs back together with the old O-rings instead. For $15 you can get a full O-ring kit from cycleorings.com and do the work yourself. Only other thing you are sure to need is a bucket of carb dip.

Other 100% mandatory things you need to do is change the intake boot O-rings, and adjust the valves. You must NOT skip these critical details otherwise the engine is going to get damaged. Welcome to the world of old motorcycles.

[SandPVRR]

Unfortunately, time, is one of the few things I don't have right now. Not that I'm trying to whine about it - but - I work a full time job, I'm running two of my own small businesses and I own an apartment house.
One of my businesses will ebb a bit in the summer - the other will pick up slightly and I'm hoping that I can ride the bike for both of these. During some down time I'll be looking into a replacement ignition system and regulator for the battery - I've heard that these can go without warning. I'm a computer technician by trade and I have no problem with electricity - but as I mentioned, carbs scare me.
-Joey
78 GS 1000
JoeyKelley.com

[Nessism]

Unfortunately, time, is one of the few things I don't have right now. Not that I'm trying to whine about it - but - I work a full time job, I'm running two of my own small businesses and I own an apartment house.
One of my businesses will ebb a bit in the summer - the other will pick up slightly and I'm hoping that I can ride the bike for both of these. During some down time I'll be looking into a replacement ignition system and regulator for the battery - I've heard that these can go without warning. I'm a computer technician by trade and I have no problem with electricity - but as I mentioned, carbs scare me.
-Joey
78 GS 1000
JoeyKelley.com

Okay Joey, so you know what you are getting yourself into.

I suggest you order an O-ring kit from cycleoring.com and take them with you to the dealer. Changing the intake O-rings should be done, as well as a valve adjust. You best pay for all this at the same time.

[Larry D]

Well, you tried Ed.........

For any other new folk reading this, a carb cleaning is actually quite an easy thing to do. I have no idea why anyone would pay someone else to do this for them. You're looking at a $100+ dollars versus about $25......

[Nessism]

Well, you tried Ed.........

For any other new folk reading this, a carb cleaning is actually quite an easy thing to do. I have no idea why anyone would pay someone else to do this for them. You're looking at a $100+ dollars versus about $25......

I'll bet the dealer will charge double, or triple, that for a carb cleaning. You'd be better off sending the carbs off to someone on the forum to do the work...but that won't get the valves adjusted.

[SandPVRR]

Ed, Larry and All,
Tell you what - when I start complaining about the bill from the dealer to do the carb cleaning - you can all line up and tell me 'I Told You So' :-)
But if I waited to do it myself until I had time to do it - I don't know if I'd be ready for that September Moosehead rally!
-Joey

[Flyboy]

Joey, no sweat, i understand the lack of time, I put in 18hr days, and have time for near bugger all, and I think most guys here appriciate it as well, we all have lives that don't involve motorcycles as well.
But all Ed is saying, is that the dealers don't really do the best work on your pride and joy, and I will put folding money on the table that they will take short cuts.
So all Ed an the guys are telling you, is get the O-Rings and take them with, and tell them to install them while they re-do the carbs, that way you know they have been done right, trust me, these carbs don't need any over priced fancy fandangled kits I them, do the O-Rings and you are good to go.
No one is hacking on you, just trying to help, thats what we do.

[Larry D]

Not busting your balls. Just want you understand that it's nothing to be scared of. It's your money spend how you want.

I would be interested in what they charge you to have the carbs done though.

[SandPVRR]

Hey Flyboy -
I didn't take it that way - I was just stating a couple of facts. I do have a tendency to be pig headed - I guess thats part of having an idea of what I want to do and how to go about it, but not all the details.
I'm going to be draining the carb bowls tonight - if I can get to it inbetween a customer and some work thats piling up - I have a few more days before that trip to the dealer.
-Joey

[rustybronco]

You mentioned the need for a work space.

something like this will do... all 8 Sq Ft of it.