Reading Spark Plugs

[Guest]

I took the GS850 out today and rode around the block for a few minutes, so I could check the spark plugs. After returning and pulling the plugs, they looked like this.

In Order
1,2,3,4

It just doesn't make a lot of sense to me that #2 is running really lean, while #1 is running really rich and #3 & #4 look halfway decent.
The bike runs and starts, it acts like it misses sitting at idle..but all 4 pipes heat up fine. I checked spark on all four plugs and they all have spark as well.
I've recently replaced; carb o-rings, spark plugs, plug resistors and I'm awaiting the arrival of the intake boots and o-rings.

The bike does have pods and exhaust. 120 Main Jets.

Any ideas? Or can someone point me in the right direction.

Update From what I've been reading a lot of this could be caused by my carbs being out of sync?

Much Appreciated,
Brandon

[Big T]

Go back to BassCliff's site and read about plug chops

You can't tell much by puttering around the block and I doubt you ever got on the main jet

[keepsailing]

When riding it, it didn't seem to have much throttle response. The bike seemed to be all talk and no go.

Just read on the site about plug chops. Thanks Big T, I should be able to get things adjusted from there.

[Steve]

Just to make sure, which one are you calling #1?

The REAL #1 is under your clutch hand, #4 is under your throttle hand.

The reason I ask is that the plug you are calling #2 is very lean. On your bike, the vacuum port to the petcock is on #3.
If it were leaking, the extra air could make the plug look like that.

Of course, that's assuming you actually have a '79. You have the VM carbs?
Or do you have an '80 bike with CV-style carbs that was assembled in '79.

If that were the case, the vacuum port on the CV carbs is on #2, and that would explain the lean look.

EDIT: Never mind, I just went back through some pictures of your build.
I saw a kick starter, which was only in '79, then I saw the VM carbs, too.


.

[keepsailing]

Just to make sure, which one are you calling #1?

The REAL #1 is under your clutch hand, #4 is under your throttle hand.

The reason I ask is that the plug you are calling #2 is very lean. On your bike, the vacuum port to the petcock is on #3.
If it were leaking, the extra air could make the plug look like that.

Of course, that's assuming you actually have a '79. You have the VM carbs?
Or do you have an '80 bike with CV-style carbs that was assembled in '79.

If that were the case, the vacuum port on the CV carbs is on #2, and that would explain the lean look.

EDIT: Never mind, I just went back through some pictures of your build.
I saw a kick starter, which was only in '79, then I saw the VM carbs, too.


.

Yeah, it has VM Carbs. I never thought about that. I'll have to check that line and everything to make sure there aren't any cracks in it and yes I was referring to #1 as the plug being under my clutch hand and #4 under my throttle.

[Steve]

Well, your "line" is on #3, so you have other issues going on there.

I don't remember, did you do a full "strip and dip" rebuild of the carbs and replace all the o-rings?

After that, it's just a matter of having the mixture set right with the screws. With your setup, the fuel screws (the ones on the bottom) should be just over 1 turn out from lightly-seated and the air screws (the ones on the sides) should be about double that, as a starting point.

.

[keepsailing]

Well, your "line" is on #3, so you have other issues going on there.

I don't remember, did you do a full "strip and dip" rebuild of the carbs and replace all the o-rings?

After that, it's just a matter of having the mixture set right with the screws. With your setup, the fuel screws (the ones on the bottom) should be just over 1 turn out from lightly-seated and the air screws (the ones on the sides) should be about double that, as a starting point.

.

Oh gotcha, well I can check it either way. I did not dip my carbs. I did strip them down and replace all of the o-rings though. The think my fuel screws and air screws may be a bit off as well. (adding all of this to my list of stuff to do tomorrow).

Why is #2 running really lean though? I still haven't figured that out?

[Steve]

Oh gotcha, well I can check it either way. I did not dip my carbs. I did strip them down and replace all of the o-rings though. The think my fuel screws and air screws may be a bit off as well. (adding all of this to my list of stuff to do tomorrow).

Have you seen the Top 10 (or so) Newbie Mistakes?

Pay particular attention to 1B.

When it comes to catching up on past-due maintenance and especially carb cleaning,
every shortcut you take just means one more time you have to remove the carbs.

Your carbs may look impecccably clean, but gas does not (or at least should not) flow on the outside. All the tiny passages on the inside are what need to be CLEAN, the only way to get them clean is with a good chemical soak or a dip in an ultrasonic cleaner.

.

[keepsailing]

Alright, well I'll have to add that to my list as well. Is it just as easy to send my carbs to someone to have them cleaned as it would be to do it myself?

[Steve]

Alright, well I'll have to add that to my list as well. Is it just as easy to send my carbs to someone to have them cleaned as it would be to do it myself?

Probably easier, but not necessarily cheaper.

There are a few of us that advertise in the "Parts and Services" forum.

.

[keepsailing]

Probably easier, but not necessarily cheaper.

There are a few of us that advertise in the "Parts and Services" forum.

.

Looking there now.

[keepsailing]

Probably easier, but not necessarily cheaper.

There are a few of us that advertise in the "Parts and Services" forum.

.

Ok I'm looking online and I have seen a lot of guys putting the carb internals into Berryman Chem Dip and then putting the rest of the carb (unassembled) into a PineSol solution. Any information on that?

[Steve]

Ok I'm looking online and I have seen a lot of guys putting the carb internals into Berryman Chem Dip and then putting the rest of the carb (unassembled) into a PineSol solution. Any information on that?

Something in my mind tells me that PineSol isn't the best solution for dissolving crusty old gasoline deposits, but the guys that have done it says it works.

Personally, if you already have the Berryman's, why not use it for everything?

Except for the plastic and rubber bits, of course.

.

[srg]

I got a pail of Berrymans from PepBoys using some discount coupons and online ordering promotions. It cost me like $8.

[chef1366]

That's not oil?