1978 GS1000 wont start, sat 10 years

[matt8874]

Well I wanted it to be as cheap as possible to get it running and safe to ride. I spent like 200 in gas to get it and bring it home, and Ive put a good 100 into it so far. I cant find the 8% vinegar anywhere but Amazon and it will cost almost 100 for that to be shipped, plus 20 for the oring kit, plus 57 for Caswell epoxy kit. Thats almost 500 total. Im not sure how the rest of the engine is, but as I said before he had the whole thing apart and put all new orings in and shimmed it. I still need to lube the throttle cable, it sticks, and the rear brake doesnt work. The tires are brand new, literally like 2 miles or less on them, but they are a little stiff from sitting, so I will need those as well..

[Buffalo Bill]

In the mean time, you could rig up a bottle or a small fuel tank from some ole gas engine and get it running. That's what we do while tuning the carbs.
New fuel lines are cheap.
The main jets are the most important, have look down their barrel with a powerful magnifier, and scrape out any deposit with a guitar string.

Can't figure why you ain't called up Gramps for help?

[matt8874]

Heres a pic from when I had the carbs off before I cleaned anything

[chuck hahn]

they may look clean to the eye..they arent. Bugs and crud build up deep inside the internal passage as they sat around..trust us on this. And the orings are shrunk and hard as cement..leak city.

To bring an bike back to ridable and safe conditions gonna run you close to a grand...so be ready. Tires, carb rebuilding orings and bowl gaskets, fuel line and petcock vacuum line, break master cylinder tear down and service, all the calipers need cleaned out and new piston seals..and new pistons if ay are rusted or pitted in any way, break fluid, new crush washers on the banjo bolts, its gonna dd up quick!!!

[allojohn]

Be careful with those tires, they're 7-10 yrs old. They may have 2 miles on them and look great but.......

[chuck hahn]

Its the blue C model from what i saw of the tank. Wire rims and only 1 brake caliper up front??? Its a bike that was made for just 1978 with the indented tank ..so ( to me ) its well worth the investment to get it all done right the first time. Then the cost drops sharply as its just routine maintenace after that.

[matt8874]

Yes its the GS1000C
Should I get the VM carb o-ring kit or do I also need the Viton intake o-rings?

[chuck hahn]

1 VM Kit and the orings for the intake are on page 3 here. Measure the ones on your bike first. I 'think" they are 32 or 33 MM ID. But its been a few years since I have redone all my 1000s.....

http://cycleorings.com/

[matt8874]

Okay how many of the intake o-rings do I need to order?

[chuck hahn]

4..there is 1 in each intake manifiold..the rubber things that hold the carbs. And I would do away with the phillips head bolts and get allen heads. The phillips strip out easy. If they round out on you take a dremal and cut a slot in them so you can use a flat tip. Be patient and get them out. And another trick is this..if you get 1 out and then others a beotch just twist the entire thing to the left. Sometimes this will help break the stubborn ones loose. Just be careful not to rip the rubber off the flanges. if it seems risky stop and do the dremel thing.

[seanarthurmachado]

If you buy from Robert barr (cycle o rings) then one kit would do you. Just before careful than I was in ordering the right size. . It would also be wise to buy the Allen head screws for the carbs at the same time. Cheap money. Most of the stuff needed will be more than you like to spend but it's mostly a 1 time for most of it. Unless your grandfather is available and can tell you for certain that maintenance was done then assume you will be catching up on neglected stuff. BUT WHEN you are DONE you will have a very reliable stylish and unique bike, with plenty of parts and knowledge support.

[matt8874]

Okay so I figured out one reason it wont start, no spark from the plugs. So I am looking for a spark plug wire set but cant find anything but universals. Apparently they take an 8mm wire set? Can someone help me find a good set that isnt too expensive but not exactly cheap either?
I now have the carb cleaner dip can and new plugs.
I took off the petcock yesterday, it wasnt very dirty but I will be putting that into the carb can as well.
One last question, I found online that people suggest putting in a rust penetration with some nuts and bolts and shaking the gas tank all over to break out the rust, then using an epoxy to seal it so it wont rust again, is this method safe? I have a can of PB Blaster that I can unload into it.

[chuck hahn]

PB will do nothing. Do the vinegar like I said. If you dont want to do as we tell you youre just spinning your wheels and gonna be there with a bike that keeps fuccking up. I hate to be so blunt but we have been there and done that so you need to heed our advice. The wires are 7 MM and theres a wire replacement turorial.......

[matt8874]

Problem is I cant find the 8% vinegar anywhere but Amazon. Does it have to be 8% or will any white vinegar work? Id rather use this method, seems more logical.
And where is the tutorial? I looked in the electrical forum but couldnt find it.

[chuck hahn]

This is what the wire joins inside the coil..

What you do is cut the epoxy off around the wire at the coil and pull the old wires out. Youll see the pin in the hole. If theres glue stuck to the sides of the hole, use something to scrape it off but dont bend the pin . A rat tail file will work or a bolt thread scrubbed in and out will wear off the glue. Just get the hole clean.

Shove the new wire in and "FEEL" for it to get on the pin. By slowly pushing it on youll feel it sort of click as it slides over the pins ridges.

Use the old wire for practicing..put it on and feel for the "ticks" and then check the end of the wire to see if you hit the core or not. Once youve got it down pat by using the old wire for practice, put in the new wires and use 5 minute epoxy to secure them to the coil body.

Some folks put about 1/2 inch of the new wire in the hole and then a little RTV to water seal them as well and then cap them off with the epoxy.