GS850 no idle problem..

[Hacked850]

I have a 82 850,25,000 miles all stock.Yesterday on the way to work it ran good,no problems.When I went to leave work it just wasn't running right,it took longer to warm up then usual.The choke lever was loose but I didn't have a screw driver handy so I left it alone.It stalled several times at stop lights which it never does.About 15 miles later on the freeway it started to act like it was running out of gas and just stalled.I was able to coast to a off ramp and park it.I checked the fuel level and it was 1/2 full,I turned it to prime and no start.I tried reserve and still didn't start.I found a screw driver and tightened the choke and gave it full choke and it started.I turned off the choke and it idled fine.I took off for home and stopped to fill it up and after that it ran good,untill I got a block from home and then it wouldn't idle again.It ran good off idle but wouldn't idle.Also it seemed to be running so rich that my eyes were burning and I had a head ache for hours afterwards.
Any ideas on where I should start ??.

Alan..

[BassCliff]

Hi,

I would start with a good visual inspection. On my 850 the carbs tend to separate from the airbox boots. Once this happens it develops an air intake leak and throws off the mixture. Also check cables and linkages for proper operation. Check petcock for proper operation.

What maintenance have you done? New intake boots and O-rings? New plug caps? Have you gone through the maintenance lists? Unless you have properly addressed all of the maintenance items we will be chasing our tails.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[chef1366]

Check your charging system and do a load check on the battery.
May be a weak spark.

[Hacked850]

So the weekend before this problem started I added a 2000# winch ( sidecar rig ),so maybe that is the problem.I will disconnect everything I did and try it.Also I messed with the vent tube from the tank,it may have been pointing forward ( I know that causes problems on my GS500 ).