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Hello everyone, wow what a great forum. I'm really glad I found all of you and thank you in advance for any help.
First of all, I am not only new to my 1979 GS850N, I'm also new to motorcycles in general. I am trying to do most/all of the work myself and have hit some road blocks. Here is what I have experienced so far, and what I have done:
When first took the bike on the road it seemed to run just fine for about 40 minutes when it suddenly died and refused to start. I was flatbedded home and I began to tinker.
I replaced the battery and ensured the charging system is working (it is not super strong, but it is charging), I replaced the plugs, drained the fuel and replaced with premium and sea foam, cleaned the air filter, cleaned the petcock, and drained the carb bowls. I also checked a ton of connections, including grounds, and I added a "-" wire from the RR to the battery.
The bike started and seemed to run, OK. I took the bike out happy as a clam. While I was cruising at about 40 mph, the bike began to stutter, and some smoke came out of from the wiring harness. The engine died and I was again flat bedded home. Subsequent inspection showed A LOT of damage (i.e. fire) from the "-" terminal through the wiring harness to the LEFT hand controls, there was quite a bit of collateral damage as well.
I have spent the last week cutting/splicing wires and doing my best to correct the electrical damage. I have a wiring diagram, but it really doesn't help a whole lot.
At present the electrical system seems to be working OK with the exception of the turn signals (I think the relay may be fried). But, I am REALLY concerned that the same problem that caused the fire my resurface!! As the new battery is taller then the old one I think the top of the termimals may have contacted the underside of the seat and caused a short???? I have tested all I know to test, but have made myself dizzy working on this thing.
Second, the bike will start but it often will only crank up to 2500 RPM and then it will slowly die. I think the bike is starved for fuel, but I'm not sure. I have not completely sealed the airbox and I will do that tomorrow. I did have it running today in the garage for about 25 mins., and I was feeling pretty good. The throttle is very sluggish to respond, then seems to spike after I coax it a bit.
Any ideas?? I have only had this bike a few weeks and have only been able to clock about 90 miles on it....it's killing me to have this great machine in pieces in my garage....
Thanks for your help.
Chris
First of all, I am not only new to my 1979 GS850N, I'm also new to motorcycles in general. I am trying to do most/all of the work myself and have hit some road blocks. Here is what I have experienced so far, and what I have done:
When first took the bike on the road it seemed to run just fine for about 40 minutes when it suddenly died and refused to start. I was flatbedded home and I began to tinker.
I replaced the battery and ensured the charging system is working (it is not super strong, but it is charging), I replaced the plugs, drained the fuel and replaced with premium and sea foam, cleaned the air filter, cleaned the petcock, and drained the carb bowls. I also checked a ton of connections, including grounds, and I added a "-" wire from the RR to the battery.
The bike started and seemed to run, OK. I took the bike out happy as a clam. While I was cruising at about 40 mph, the bike began to stutter, and some smoke came out of from the wiring harness. The engine died and I was again flat bedded home. Subsequent inspection showed A LOT of damage (i.e. fire) from the "-" terminal through the wiring harness to the LEFT hand controls, there was quite a bit of collateral damage as well.
I have spent the last week cutting/splicing wires and doing my best to correct the electrical damage. I have a wiring diagram, but it really doesn't help a whole lot.
At present the electrical system seems to be working OK with the exception of the turn signals (I think the relay may be fried). But, I am REALLY concerned that the same problem that caused the fire my resurface!! As the new battery is taller then the old one I think the top of the termimals may have contacted the underside of the seat and caused a short???? I have tested all I know to test, but have made myself dizzy working on this thing.
Second, the bike will start but it often will only crank up to 2500 RPM and then it will slowly die. I think the bike is starved for fuel, but I'm not sure. I have not completely sealed the airbox and I will do that tomorrow. I did have it running today in the garage for about 25 mins., and I was feeling pretty good. The throttle is very sluggish to respond, then seems to spike after I coax it a bit.
Any ideas?? I have only had this bike a few weeks and have only been able to clock about 90 miles on it....it's killing me to have this great machine in pieces in my garage....
Thanks for your help.
Chris
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