Spark plug gap on 81 GS650L?

[jareed17]

Can anyone tell me the gap on this? I just replaced mine after a starting problem, and it starts better now, but there is some gas coming out the right exahust pipe. Possible not enough spark? I got the NGK basic plugs. Thanks

[Nessism]

Rebuild the carbs. The plugs are fine.

[BassCliff]

Hi,

You have a malfunctioning petcock and/or bad float valves and seats in the carbs. This will get you started in the right direction. It's your "mega-welcome".

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Here is your very own magical, mystical, mythical, mind-expanding "mega-welcome". Please take notice of the "Top 10 Common Issues", "Top 15 Tips For GS Happiness", the Carb Rebuild Series, and the Stator Papers. Now let me roll out the welcome mat for you...



Please click here for your mega-welcome, chock full of tips, suggestions, links to vendors, and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I've been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. Don't forget, we like pictures! Not you, your bike!

Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[jareed17]

Ok, thanks for the help!

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Sorry. To answer your question, the spark plug gap should be about 0.030 inches. Anywhere from .028" to .035" should be fine. They are usually set pretty dang close right out of the box.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[jareed17]

My fuel gauge shows I have a full tank, though I know that I don't. Would that be an indicator of the bad float valve?

[Steve]

My fuel gauge shows I have a full tank, though I know that I don't. Would that be an indicator of the bad float valve?

Have to make sure we are using the right terms here.

"Float Valve" refers to the mechanism inside the carb that maintains a constant fuel level in the float bowl.
It has NOTHING to do with the way your gas gauge reads.

However, there is a "float" inside the gas tank that follows the level of the fuel to show on the gauge.

First place to look is under the back of the tank, right where it meets the seat. One of the wires is probably black, the other one yellow. The wires should connect the sending unit on the tank (the float) to the wiring harness on the bike. To get a "full" reading, the wires are apparently shorted together. Make sure they are not pinched somewhere that is causing them to short together. Separate the connectors, see if the gauge goes down. If it does, at least the gauge seems to be working correctly.

You say you know the tank is not full. How "not full" is it? These gauges are not all that accurate for all levels of fuel in the tank. On my 850, the gauge will read over the FULL mark when I fill it. It will take about 50 miles to bring it down to the FULL mark. Another 50 will take it to HALF, yet another 50 will take it near the red zone.

.

[Nessism]

And speaking of plug gap, if you buy new NGK plugs you don't even need to check the gap, just stick them in. I've never seen a new NGK that was out of the spec for use in a GS.

[Steve]

And speaking of plug gap, if you guy new NGK plugs you don't even need to check the gap, just stick them in. I've never seen a new NGK that was out of the spec for use in a GS.

You are quite correct, but there is a guy I know on a motorcycle forum that has some words of wisdom in his signature:

"To measure is to know."

Never had to adjust one, but I do check them before installing them.

.

[BassCliff]

My fuel gauge shows I have a full tank, though I know that I don't. Would that be an indicator of the bad float valve?

Hi,

You are not talking about a float valve but rather the float on the fuel level assembly. Start by checking the fuel gauge send unit connections there between the tank and the seat. The wires are black/yellow and yellow/black, if I remember correctly.



You can also check/clean/repair the fuel gauge send unit. Reference a couple guides on my little website for procedures and pictures:

Fuel Gauge Send Unit Repair
(by Mr. Jethro)

Tank Cleaning: with Evapo-Rust


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[jareed17]

Thanks for all the help!