Hard Starting--Plugs?

[Nessism]

The idea of measuring then riding seems pretty reasonable to me.

The symptoms I'm experiencing sound similar to the posted thread and copied info. Certainly knowing my valves are correct can't hurt anything.

However, I'm wondering if the problem of the spark plug fouling up but then eventually having the bike run well (with the plug presumably eventually firing) is really part of this, or something else? Maybe the exhaust valve isn't opening far enough so the plug fouls up, then as things warm up and expand a bit the valve gets pushed open further and it runs better? I dunno.

Any thoughts on whether the (presumably) ill-adjusted valves can cause the plug to foul but then appear to start working after the engine has been running for a bit?

The GS family of bikes is roughly 30 years old and by virtue of the age alone, these vehicles need maintenance. Lots of people come to the GSR and post threads about some malfunction or another without performing any routine maintenance first. Honestly, it's a waste of time to discuss possible specific causes for many of these ill running bikes until all the maintenance is up to date. Adjust the valves. Clean the carbs properly, change all the carb and intake O-rings. Make sure the air cleaner is serviced and the air box sealed. On and on it goes. Performing basic maintenance is how you build a solid foundation toward a reliable bike, and never a waste of time.

[tkent02]

The idea of measuring then riding seems pretty reasonable to me.

Unless they are way too tight. Running them way too tight can burn the valves.
If you are into the hard starting, they are probably way too tight. Hopefully no valves are burnt yet.
Have you done a compression check? Tight valves will also cause a very low compression reading.

[superdave]

The GS family of bikes is roughly 30 years old and by virtue of the age alone, these vehicles need maintenance. Lots of people come to the GSR and post threads about some malfunction or another without performing any routine maintenance first. Honestly, it's a waste of time to discuss possible specific causes for many of these ill running bikes until all the maintenance is up to date. Adjust the valves. Clean the carbs properly, change all the carb and intake O-rings. Make sure the air cleaner is serviced and the air box sealed. On and on it goes. Performing basic maintenance is how you build a solid foundation toward a reliable bike, and never a waste of time.

I have cleaned the carbs, changed out the bad intake boots, and installed new intake o-rings. I also located an airbox and got rid of the crappy pods that were on the bike as well as putting in new, gapped plugs. Also the tires were both replaced with new. So I got that going for me. But I had been putting off the valve adjustment as I said before. Hopefully getting that done will help me out.

[salty_monk]

Make sure your jetting is "as stock" too... that could be a cause of running rich if the previous owner messed with it to try to compensate for his crappy pods

[superdave]

When I was cleaning the carbs I looked at the numbers on the jets. While I don't recall what they were, I do recall determining they were the stock ones after doing some googling.

Also the nice light brown color on plugs 2-4 indicates to me that the jetting is probably correct.

[BassCliff]

Hi,

It's possible you just had a bad plug. Might as well put new spark plug caps on the wires. They're cheap. But do not neglect the valve clearances.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[superdave]

Hi,

It's possible you just had a bad plug. Might as well put new spark plug caps on the wires. They're cheap. But do not neglect the valve clearances.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

I think this was the problem. I put a new, factory (not hotter) plug in and it has been starting just fine since.

Except for last night... But that was because I apparantly pulled into the parking lot at work just as I hit the need to go to reserve, but didn't realize that. Bike started when I went to leave, but only went a couple blocks before it quit running at a stop sign. I originally thought, "Must be something other than a bad plug" and attempted for several minutes to start it before thinking of the fuel. But by that time, I didn't have enough voltage to get enough spark to start!

After a quick jump, the bike fired right up.

So I think the initial problem was the bad plug. But, I think I will soon spend some time cleaning up electrical connections as well as adjusting the valves. I will also add the relay to the coils to help ensure as much voltage makes it there as possible. I've done very similar mods to the headlights on a couple cars so I know how that works and how it can improve things.

Thanks!