Trouble with the GS1000

[chuck hahn]

Yeah...another 3 or 4 bucks via the US post office to Norway.

[7981GS]

Chuck, it would appear that when he knew that he was going to tear it down for the gasket replacement, he forgot all about the basics.
Of course, he should have had the shims and carb O-rings before the tear down.
As he has an incredibly short riding window where he is, he would rather fight with making it run fair rather than fix it.

Eric

[Hovmod]

I can order them from my parts pusher here.
Why I don't have them isn't the problem anyway.
Whether or not reusing the O-rings is causing blackened plugs and backfires WAS part of the problem, but now it looks like a timing issue. I'll know tomorrow.

[Hovmod]

Feel free to use this thread to fight over who can insult me most cleverly.

[spchips]

Good luck Hovmod. looks like you got it under control.

[Hovmod]

Yeeah, thanks.

Development:
Set timing, using the bulb method, since the strobe wasn't working. (and yes, it was off. Thanks for pushing me there...)
Started her up, and she ran nicely for about a minute before crapping out again.
Different feel to it this time, though.

Re-checking timing after the failure, the bulb never lit on the 2-3 side!
Running the starter, the 2-3 contact breaker never sparked.
No juice to the breaker, then, but that is juice to my troubleshooting, which commences tomorrow with multi-meter, a case of new connectors, and a fresh pot of coffee.

(I also got a couple of unexpected shocks while setting timing. Not pleasent, but suggestive...)

[OldVet66]

I don't think anyone is trying to insult you. Where you live, parts are going to be a problem. The manuals were written for a 35 year old bike. Throw the information about the pilot fuel screws out the window, it doesn't apply any more. You can not clean your carbs properly without removing those needles, and where the factory set them certainly does not apply to a worn motor. You can dial them in much better than the factory ever did. The O-ring kits from Cycle O-rings, are the right parts to use and will cost you a brick anywhere else, if you can even find the right O-rings . Robert Barr is providing an excellent service to all GS enthusiasts. I can sympathize with your short riding season. Good luck with your bike.

[Hovmod]

I wasn't trying to be whiney - it was tongue-in-cheek.

I'm happy for all the input, and also I really really want to make this bike as good as I can.
Of course I am guilty of trying to cut a couple of corners in order to get a few miles in before winter, but I'm also taking this seriously. So. Not feeling abused or insulted, just picking the gold between the sarcasm here.

I know now: forget what the manual says.
First time cleaning carbs I followed the advice in two books. Don't really feel embarrassed for that.

[Charlie G]

just picking the gold between the sarcasm here.

Entertaining me, I might add .

cg

[GateKeeper]

I figure by next riding season the bike will be 1000 percent perfect....

[Hovmod]

Haha.
My trip to Oslo on Monday looks like it's going to be by plane.

[Hovmod]

I get your point. Not wasted.

Double checked the Suzuki Manual, and it says to align the T mark.
Perhaps you are thinking of the markings on the camshaft sprockets? There's a warning about being extra careful getting the angular position of the sprockets on the shafts..?
(I didn't touch that, btw - visual inspection and then left them alone)

[Hovmod]

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?p=1711824#post1711824