82 850 GSL starts won't keep running

[JTGS850GL]

You say it's not running on all 4. What cylinder or cylinders are not firing? Could be you still have a clogged carb or you didn't bench sync them correctly. If one of the carbs is closed while the others are open due to a bad bench sync, you will have a dead cylinder on the closed carbs.

[dantodd]

I did a cold start this morning and it is not running on all 4 . I am going to do the valves and have been doing the research before I proceed. Once I do that and get the new filter in I am sure I will see an improvement.
Any advice on getting the shims , do they come in a pack with the various sizes or?

Do a search on shim club and shim spreadsheet. Follow the directions that come with the spreadsheet and you'll have your most economical solution. Otherwise shims are sold singly.

[cowboyup3371]

Go back and take another look at your carbs

[stickid]

yes, I checked and it seems like only 3 is getting really hot, 4 gets warmish but 1 and 2 ... cold.I also checked for spark and there is spark to all 4. I shot a bit of starter fluid into the 3 in question and 2 and 4 made it rev higher. 1 did nothing. I have the carbs off again. I must have missed something, the bench sync looked good, all 4 were opening at the same time. Looking in to the valve shims as well.The journey of learning continues.

[stickid]

Moved #1 plug to #3 and determined that is a bad plug. New plugs coming up !
I also drained some gas and it is very dirty even though I cleaned the tank out in the fall I can see some rust still. It is off and going to a rad shop that will refurbish it.
I have gone through the carbs again and I think what happened before was some dirt got into the carbs and plugged them up again.
I will either try a temporary tank or wait until mine is done.
Educating myself on the valves so I can make certain they are correct.

[knewel]

JT.
thank-you! I had carefully rebuilt carbs, set valves, only to have bike start and die, start and die. Based on your advice , I had another look at the float bowls. The rebuilt tutorial I had didn't even mention these ports. Neither did the Haynes manual, that I saw. Even though I soaked the carbs and used ultrasonic cleaner, two of the four passages were clogged. Had to use a tiny drill bit and compressed air to clean out. Put the bowls back on-it started immediately, and...kept running. Damn good advice, I was ready to give up for the year.

[stickid]

Awesome, glad it worked out.I have mine running better but I will still check the valves and having my tank refurbished(rust inside). I hooked up an aux tank and here is a video of the result.

https://youtu.be/xfnzQH9BkCc

[JTGS850GL]

JT.
thank-you! I had carefully rebuilt carbs, set valves, only to have bike start and die, start and die. Based on your advice , I had another look at the float bowls. The rebuilt tutorial I had didn't even mention these ports. Neither did the Haynes manual, that I saw. Even though I soaked the carbs and used ultrasonic cleaner, two of the four passages were clogged. Had to use a tiny drill bit and compressed air to clean out. Put the bowls back on-it started immediately, and...kept running. Damn good advice, I was ready to give up for the year.

Sometimes it's the little things that can really mess you up. Glad you got it going.