gs450 timing issue?

[Guest]

New to this forum and older bikes in general. I hope I'm going about this the correct way. Thanks in advance for your wisdom. That being said I recently picked up an 87 gs450 for the wife. Im a little jealous she gets one before me, but I need to sell my gsxr first. We got it for 600 bones off Craigslist, pink slip and it started! The bike was a daily commuter before sitting for a few month's, at least I was told. Got it home fired it up and decided I should clean the carbs, pod filters too. They were pretty dirty. Also found rust in the tank which i took care of apple cider vinegar. Got everything back together and I found out it was only firing on the right side(while sitting on the bike). Pulled the cap on the left side and teased it which got it to arc and kinda fire. So I got two new plugs...same problem. Hot exhaust comin out the right cold on the left. I pull the left plug nothing happens pull the right i get bit and it dies. Ground the plugs on the head both have spark. Compression test showed 140 on the right 120 left. Checked carb bowls for fuel both full. Thought might be the coil. Maybe it was strong enough to spark just not under compression. Got 17-20k ohms through plug wires....so I've got fuel got spark got compression. Currently cleaning carbs again, but thinking timing?? Any advice/help is much appreciated.

[NvMessner]

Currently waiting for the manual in the mail.

[Big Rich]

Welcome to the site!

First thing I would check is valve clearances. There's quite a few how-to's around here, especially on Basscliffs site.

[OldVet66]

This might help while you wait for your manual:https://onedrive.live.com/view.aspx?...PM7hx6Q2ynLu-A

[NvMessner]

Thanks Big Rich I'll check em out. Bad clearances could cause bad fire.

OldVet66 that is a nice library. ill have to splurge.

[NvMessner]

Alright checked clearances....smallest feeler gauge i had was .04 mm, which only fit on the intake on the Left cylinder. I'm not understanding why they would be tighter. To my understanding spec was .03-.08. Seems odd that the only valve clearance in spec was the cylinder that isn't firing. Going to reshim tomorrow, got the carbs back together and try again. Any other ideas?

[OldVet66]

As the seats wear the valves get tighter on these bikes. ZI enterprises have feeler gauges that are shaped properly and sized for the job. Easy to use, two gauges on each stick angled perfectly to get them in where you need to. You want some wear slack in the valves so two gauges should cover it. http://www.z1enterprises.com/ShopByC...01010402031410

[Nessism]

Your carbs are still dirty. Check this website for info on how to properly clean them...http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/

You need an o-ring kit, including intake boot o rings from cycleorings.com

Make sure the choke passage tubes, which extend down into the float bowl are open, as well as the pilot jets. Fully break down the carbs and soak the bodies in carb dip. The pilot circuits are critical.

Lastly, pods mess up the jetting in a major way. You can not compensate by just sticking some bigger main jets inside the carbs. Good luck with that. It's way easier to keep the airbox.

[barnbiketom]

Your carbs are still dirty. Check this website for info on how to properly clean them...http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/

You need an o-ring kit, including intake boot o rings from cycleorings.com

Make sure the choke passage tubes, which extend down into the float bowl are open, as well as the pilot jets. Fully break down the carbs and soak the bodies in carb dip. The pilot circuits are critical.

Lastly, pods mess up the jetting in a major way. You can not compensate by just sticking some bigger main jets inside the carbs. Good luck with that. It's way easier to keep the airbox.

+1 on the carbs are still dirty! simply spray a wee bit o carb spray into the offending cylinder whilst running and you will probably see it picks right up..... plugged carb jets..
+1 on good luck with the pods.. maybe you are lucky enough the PO sorted out the jetting, which i seriously doubt..that's why he probably GOT RID OF IT!!
I get all kinds of people telling me it is easier to put pods on than wrestle with the airbox.
TWO major mistakes here.
1. pods are not easy for inexperienced to make the bike perform correctly due to jetting changes needed!
2. the carbs are "easier" to go in and out if you remove the rear inner fenders on these bikes, the electrical box etc.. then the airbox will move back farther. it is a hassle, but you only need to do it every few years, less if you use gas stabilizer.

[NvMessner]

So yeah.....got the carbs all back together and we have fire....I appreciate it fellas. Waitin for two shims, which seem to be kind of difficult to get a hold of...and pricey. Either way now more than one valve will be in spec. Also found out its an 82. I'm not too stressed about the pods. They will only force me to be carb competent. Definitely stoked to get it on the roads.

[Big Rich]

NV, if you definitely go with pods, search around for threads by Pete here on the GSR. He has a GS450 and documented his jetting work very well.

[NvMessner]

I will definitely check that out. I got the bike goin and took it for a spin and had some pretty bad rev hang. Sprayed some carb clean on the intake manifold and discovered a leak. Found out those O rings are toast. While i wait for those i slapped some silicone in there and as far as i can tell its not leakin there anymore. took it back out for a ride...still got the hangin revs. Definitely not the throttle cable that things slaps back nicely. Checked the slides even lubed them a little they are slide nicely. Ideas?

[Nessism]

Maybe check the Newbie Mistakes thread linked in my signature to see if any bells go off?

[NvMessner]

Yeah. Thinkin mixture maybe. It typically only does it when it's hot. May have some fine cracks in the manifolds. I soaked em overnight with marvel, but I don't figger it did much. I also feel like it would rev up when I sprayed them with carb cleaner if that was the case. Plugs did seem to be slightly on the lean side.

[NvMessner]

Definitely the mixture screw....turned it about 3/4 out and we are golden! Thanks for the help.