Cold Starting GS850

[Guest]

Hi All.

I have a 1979 GS850. I removed the harness and completely overhauled it inc new connections, joints and tape. The reason I dit it was because I was getting no spark on 1 & 2 cylinders. I found a few faults and repaired them. I also did the Relay modification on the Coils as per Bikecliffs web site. I completely stripped and cleaned the Carbs.

The problem I have now is that it is extremely difficult to get it started from cold. It will fire but just wont kick off. However, once it starts I can switch it off after a couple of minutes and it will start again first tip of the starter and run perfect. As always, your help would be greatly appreciated.

Chris.

[greg78gs750]

you didn't mention a valve adjust?

[Chris Finlay]

Did a compression test, 150 psi on all cylinders. It was starting no bother before I did the harness. I made no changes to the harness, just cleaned and replaced dodgy connectors.

[azr]

Sounds like an issue with the carbs. Either with the choke system or your mixture settings. What's your fuel and air mixture screws at? How did you "exactly" clean your carbs?

[tom203]

When you cleaned carbs, did you pick at / blow out the "choke" feed tube that runs up thru each fuel bowl?

[Chris Finlay]

Stripped the carbs completely, removed all jets and sprayed carb cleaner thru all ports,blew out with compressed air, set the float levels. However, the only part I did not remove was the choke assembly. I checked that the choke piston was free on all carbs.

I put fuel cleaner in the tank last night and left the bike running for over an hour. Tried to start it this morning and the same problem, keeps firing but wont kick off.

[tkent02]

I put fuel cleaner in the tank last night and left the bike running for over an hour.

Rode it an hour or left it idling an hour?

[Brendan W]

Are you priming the float bowls before starting ?

[Chris Finlay]

Left it ticking over, Did not prime carbs before starting.

[Brendan W]

Left it ticking over, Did not prime carbs before starting.

A water cooled car would have the electric fan assist working after 15 minutes at idle. Best practice is to fan cool these or you risk overheating.
I prime if it's the first start of the day. It makes the bike start on the first or second compression. If I don't prime it will take longer.

[azr]

Wow, hopefully you didn't do any damage to your valves letting it sit there for an hour idling.

[Chris Finlay]

I can assure you in Ireland at this time of year a cooling fan would not be necessary.

[cowboyup3371]

I'm just wondering why didn't you take the time to fully strip and dip the carbs replacing all of the orings as recommended?

[Chris Finlay]

Thought the cleaning I did would be good enough, did not have the O Rings.

[fastbysuzuki]

I'm just wondering why didn't you take the time to fully strip and dip the carbs replacing all of the orings as recommended?

Not sure if you can get dip in Ireland I suspect not, same in uk the dam EU got everything banned that worked!! just down to carb spray or pay for ultrasonic clean. I soaked my metal bits in cellulose thinners for a short time to clean them. They are unpainted though.