1982 GS850g not starting

[sillymike]

Haha yes, I haven't quite tossed it in the trash but I'm learning to wean myself off of it.

To answer all the other questions:
I will check the coil voltage and plug leads ASAP. I would assume the coil voltage is at least acceptable as I have a new battery and get strong spark on all plugs, but I can;t verify they are in the right order. I hope so, however.

I'll read the newbie mistakes thread as soon as I finish this post.

My valve clearances are just set.

My air filter is oiled and sealed as best I can tell. No weatherstripping, but I'll get on that. But when I spray WD-40 it doesn't seem to do anything.

My petcock "looks" fine, the gas flows well, it was pretty spotless when I took it out to check. It works just like it's supposed to. My guess is that it's not causing my particular problem, not to say I won't ever rebuild it but I think I can discount it for the time being.

Exhaust seems sealed.

I will replace plug boots, but as I said, I'm getting good spark. Probably worth it though.

I mentioned carb was just cleaned as per the guide (See question about this later)

new plugs, gapped.

I think I'm on the right track. I'll try what was suggested. In the meantime, I have two quick questions:

First, the easy one. Where are y'all finding $28 airbox boots? I can't seem to find any cheap ones, I see pairs on ebay for like 80 dollars and my local shop sells them for about that, too.

Second: I noticed you said to avoid carb rebuild kits. My carbs were rebuilt by the PO, and from the looks of them, never run or run very lightly. Looks like new gaskets, new needle/seat needle, new jets, etc. How can I tell if this was an aftermarket rebuild kit or if it was done properly?

thanks!

[mpencegs]

Compression, Spark, Gas. Eliminate what you can. What are your compression readings that you are getting right now. Also put a few drops of gas into one or both of the cylinders.(FIRE EXTINGUISHER) Does it fire/run? If compression good and runs off gas and not starting fluid then must be fuel delivery..

I had a strange issue where due to bent value I would get "good enough to run" compression then it would drop when the valve rotated. Several compression tests over a short period showed me this issue. Rebuilt top end and riding now.

[sillymike]

Yes, that's a good strategy. I will do the drops of gas in the chamber... I've heard to do that, but it makes me nervous because my paranoid self is always worried that I'll put too much in, and it won't ignite, and I'll just bend the conrod or something.

But, I'll try! And look at the order of the leads at the same time.

thanks!

[Steve]

Haha yes, I haven't quite tossed it in the trash but I'm learning to wean myself off of it.

Hopefully you wean yourself before any damage happens. You can GUARANTEE no damage if you just stop "cold turkey".

I would assume the coil voltage is at least acceptable as I have a new battery and get strong spark on all plugs, but I can;t verify they are in the right order. I hope so, however.

You have a volt meter? It's very easy to ensure that you have very close to battery voltage feeding the coils. No need to assume or hope.

My air filter is oiled and sealed as best I can tell. No weatherstripping, but I'll get on that. But when I spray WD-40 it doesn't seem to do anything.

What air filter do you have? Some are meant to be oiled, others aren't.

Spraying WD-40 won't do anything except make for an oily engine that is more likely to pick up dirt.

First, the easy one. Where are y'all finding $28 airbox boots? I can't seem to find any cheap ones, I see pairs on ebay for like 80 dollars and my local shop sells them for about that, too.

OK, somebody was pulling your leg a bit, and it also depends on which boots you are calling "airbox" boots.
The ones from the airbox to the carbs are $10.87 each.
The ones from the carbs to the engine are a bit more, they are $25.72 each.
Where? These prices are from G&S Suzuki.

Second: I noticed you said to avoid carb rebuild kits. My carbs were rebuilt by the PO, and from the looks of them, never run or run very lightly. Looks like new gaskets, new needle/seat needle, new jets, etc. How can I tell if this was an aftermarket rebuild kit or if it was done properly?

The easiest way would be to pull the float bowls and look at the main jets. Besides the indication for the jet size, you should see a pair of nested squares, which are the Mikuni trademark. If you don't see them, you have aftermarket jets. That does not automatically mean they are bad, it just means that their quality and accuracy is simply not known.

Oh, and we STILL don't have any clue which one of us might be close enough to help.

.

[themess]

An 850 pretty much won't run without the airbox and filter in place.

Make sure the airbox sides are sealed (use foam weatherstripping) and that the filter isn't crumbling and is only lightly oiled. The air filter frame should be also be sealed to the airbox with foam weatherstripping.

It won't run right without the snorkel on the airbox, either....

By the snorkel, do you mean #13 on the fiche?

[Steve]

No, "the snorkel" is hidden on the back side of the airbox in that picture, underneath the hardware numbered 15, 16 and 17.

If you look at it, it is very obviously a "snorkel", as it is less than an inch thick, about four inches wide and reaches from the bottom of the airbox up to the top, and opens up facing the back, over the battery.

.

[BassCliff]

Hi,

By the snorkel, do you mean #13 on the fiche?

Have a look at the air intake repair guide on my little website.

Thank you for your indujlgence.

BassCliff

[themess]

Does the snorkel fit in the opening shown?



Some PO removed mine. How does one find a replacement other than Ebay?

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Yes, that's where the snorkel attaches. They are usually not sold separately so you'll probably have to pick up a whole 'nother airbox from eBay or hit up the Parts for Sale and Parts Wanted sections here in the forum.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[themess]

That's what I was afraid of. Oh, well....

POs can be such a PITA.