gs1000e hard to start

[harrymthree]

after i got the bike running i checked the plugs from left to right,
plug 1 was wet and dark but was firing and 2,3,and 4 was a light brown which seemed to be normal

[chuck hahn]

Bit if the valves are tight..as in little to no actual clearance on a few here or there..then its not gonna start easy. Due primarily to very low to possibly no compression at times. Like the saying goes. A slightly slappy valve is a happy valve.

[harrymthree]

just rebuilt the carbs, the float valve o rings had shrunk and gone hard all replaced now, cleaned every internal passage way now it fires up straight away;
ive got a bad feeling were the chatter from the engine is coming from but its not all the time,after a lot of time listening its coming from the crank with some vibration when you rev the engine up looks like a bottom end rebuild

[harrymthree]

i have a spare engine with 25000 miles on the clock,
would it pay to take the head of and check the valves ect

[Rover]

One simple thing to rule out is that your choke is giving you the fuel you need to start.If it's an 80 you have the dreaded petcock.