strange firing issue.

[castlekin]

When checking the cylinders for a small firing issue I noticed something different from the engine, if I pull the plug wire from the 2,3, and 4 cylinders the engine runs. But, if I pull the #1 cylinder's wire the engine dies. Is the suppose to happen or is there something more I should look for?

[tkent02]

Sounds like #1 is doing all of the work. Have you synchronized the carburetors?

[trippivot]

you have described a HUGE PROBLEM,possibly multiple problems at once- not a small firing issue.
The bike should sort of run on any combination of 3 cylinders. if you remove #1 and the rest are connected it dies - you friend have a problem or problems

#1 fuel
#2 compression
#3 timed ignition

I would need more information to really give helpful assistance.

points or elect. ign. what was the latest service BEFORE this problem.

what is the bike and when was it made? a little history of the mechanic's experience?

[Graham]

Don’t pull the plug wires. Is there something else wrong with the bike that would make you want to pull plug wires as a test?

[BassCliff]

Hi,

How many items have you taken care of from the maintenance lists in your "mega-welcome"?


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[castlekin]

thanks for the kind, confusing words Basscliff. I have a little back fire and a bit of rich smelling exhaust. i was just goofing around checking a few things on the running bike and I got "bit" by the plug wire on the #1 and popped it off and it killed the bike. I thought that was strange so I tested all the plugs just out of curiousness. That is when I discovered this issue. I do need to sync the carbs, I believe the #4 is running rich.

This was bought used, unknown history of the bike. I am still digging around in it to find all the issues with it.

The Bike in Question is a 1982 GS850GL

By the way I have just completed replacing the Fuse Block with a new pronged Fuse Block from NAPA. A bit tight, but at least the fuses will stay nice and dry. Thanks for the posted guide on the BikeCliff site BassCliff.

[SqDancerLynn1]

I don't know what work you have done. I would start with a valve adjustment, compression test, and a carb clean along with air box sealing

[castlekin]

Thanks for the starting point, I was going to check the points, I cleaned the plugs already.

The previous owner told me it had a hard time Idling, I confirmed and adjusted the main idle screw til it ran at an idle again.

The previous owner also stated he replaced the gaskets before he sold it to me. I guess its possibly the problem too.

All I know is Iowa is cold right now if you don't have a heater in the shop, so it makes it a bit hard to work on it right now.

[mike10]

Hi

I'm from Iowa, thats why I moved to Ca. Did you get a shock right through the wire or plug cap? Or when you pulled it off. I noticed spark jumping through my plug cap to the Head. I wrapped them with electrical tape till I got new ones. What gaskets were replaced there are a lot of them.

[castlekin]

Okay, now the issue has changed, after dabbling with the vacuum settings on the #4 carb, if I pull the #4 plug wire the bike dies.

Could this actually be a fuel issue and not an electrical, thinking that the fuel was getting the greatest vacuum from the #1 until I adjusted the #4, now if I lose that cylinder it is not "pulling" the fuel into the carbs correctly.

Just a thought.