my 78 is having some problems

[Guest]

Hey guys I could use some help!
I have a 78 gs550. I bought this bad boy for a deal and she was running like crap. Spitting oil like crazy. The gear shift shaft was bent to hell. So here's what I did.
Pulled the motor, replaced the valve cover gasket, head gasket and oil pan gasket. Got a used gear shift shaft and seal. Cleaned the carbs (three times I think) soaked the jets in carb clean (had to replace the o-rings on the mane jets ooopss) I went to go replace the sparkplug wires and was told they should un-screw from the coils..... Ripped one right out.... Luckily there was a older Kawasaki 550 with some coils that fit. I sealed the gas tank added an inline filter got her all tied back up and she started right up and ran great took her to the store she had plenty of power sounded awesome no problems. Well on my way home it was like the bike wasn't getting fuel she slowly lost power and died. Now the bike won't start. I figured it was the petcock so I removed the fuel line and gas was flowing just fine. Maybe it was over headed? No let the bike sit over night and nothing. Mind you this is my first bike and its been one hell of a learn curve but in hooked hard on this baby and very determined to get her running great.

[tom203]

Welcome
You've been busy! But this......
"so I removed the fuel line and gas was flowing just fine. "

Let's start with checking petcock for correct operation. Still got a vacuum petcock?? With petcock in "on" or "res" spot, fuel should NOT flow with motor not running. If it does, fuel will overwhelm carbs and find its way to crankcase causing unpleasantness like PO likely enjoyed.

[cowboyup3371]

To start with, what is the battery voltage right now when the key is off? key is on? while pressing the start button?

[Steve]

And get rid of the inline filter.

.

[shaunayk]

Thanks for the reply!!
Now that I think of it I can't remember what the petcock was set to when I was seeing if she was getting fuel I feel a little dumb now ha! I'll look at that when I get home and let you know.

[shaunayk]

I know I have a bad battery. I jumped it road it to the store and it kicked over fine. I love the kick start on these babys you think the bad battery would cause it not to run? Like I said I'm new to this!

[shaunayk]

And get rid of the inline filter.

.

I'll give that a try I just didn't like the looks of the screen tube looking thing on the petcock so I figured I slap a filter on there. Think it has to do with lack of flow or something threw am added filter?

[shaunayk]

Welcome
You've been busy! But this......
"so I removed the fuel line and gas was flowing just fine. "

Let's start with checking petcock for correct operation. Still got a vacuum petcock?? With petcock in "on" or "res" spot, fuel should NOT flow with motor not running. If it does, fuel will overwhelm carbs and find its way to crankcase causing unpleasantness like PO likely enjoyed.

What kind if unpleasantness and what do you mean PO?

[cowboyup3371]

PO - Previous Owner

The screen thing on the petcock is the filter for the bike; most inlines that you can buy are too restrictive for gravity fed systems.

Start from a good baseline with the battery and your petcock settings and start troubleshooting from there

[tkent02]

Step away from the tools, leave the bike alone for a while, and start reading.

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/

There are so many mistakes in your first post I don't know where to start. O rings on the main jet? Right.

[eil]

I love the kick start on these babys you think the bad battery would cause it not to run?

Yup. The battery is an integral part of the electrical system on these bikes. If it's not charging properly (and especially if your R/R isn't working right... which is probably isn't), then the bike doesn't run. Or doesn't run for very long.

[shaunayk]

PO - Previous Owner

The screen thing on the petcock is the filter for the bike; most inlines that you can buy are too restrictive for gravity fed systems.

Start from a good baseline with the battery and your petcock settings and start troubleshooting from there

Its not getting to much fuel due to the inline I put in. I'm not taking it off until I get a new tank cause there is some shmegma in the filter I might just buys new petcock to see if that helps first. Its my first bike so I want to learn clutching smooth and what not. If I tip the tank up title get gas. Haha. Enough to play around in first gear in the back yard. My roommate owns a palette shop so we have a huge paved slab out back for doughnuts and what not. Thank you for all the help I greatly appreciate it! I'll post some pictures when I'm close to finish. Love this bike I'm hooked!!

[shaunayk]

RR? Thanks for the input! I'm going to get a new battery today

[shaunayk]

Yup. The battery is an integral part of the electrical system on these bikes. If it's not charging properly (and especially if your R/R isn't working right... which is probably isn't), then the bike doesn't run. Or doesn't run for very long.

R/R?? Thanks for the input! I'm getting a new batery today the one on the bike is probably older than I am! Haha

[terrylee]

Look up Stator papers on here do all the tests and post what you get. If your regulator/regtifer (r/r) or stator are bad new battery won't last long!