My 85 GS450 runs good ... but lousy idle!

[Nessism]

The intake boots were nice and supple and I replaced the 40mm O-ring to the engine side with the hi-temp good quality rubber. Stock air box and filter looked fine and sealed lid on. Bike is running good but doesn't like over 6,000 rpms on gear shifts and I don't even try to get to redline on the tach. Tried a few times several months ago. If the engine revved easily from 7 to 9,000 rpms ... I would say it is running great!

Your bike has serious problems. It should pull to redline with ease. Not sure what to even suggest other than going through the Newbie Mistakes thread and making sure all the maintenance is up to date. If the bike is stock it's much easier to diagnose running, particularly carb, problems.

[Steve]

I am a bit confused, please help me make up my mind.

Bike is running good but doesn't like over 6,000 rpms ...

If it doesn't like over 6,000 RPM, it's not running "good".

.

[dennco2]

I guess I should try to rev this engine up higher next time I ride. Since I mostly just ride the 450 around town at 30 to 40 mph, I have been satisfied with low end smooth power. Previously, on hard accelerations .... the engine pulled pretty good but seemed to starve for fuel past 6,000 - 7,000 and power dropped off. Would like the extra untapped power IF not too problematic to get it.

My attitude has been ..... if I want more acceleration, I just jump on my other bike.

[fbody_mike]

Do you have a fuel filter between the petcock and the carbs? I have nothing but bad luck with fuel starvation at freeways speeds or high rpms when there is a filter on the line. Could also be a plugged gas cap, that's easy, just remove cap, take her for 1 - 3 gear blast and see if it runs different.

[dennco2]

Do you have a fuel filter between the petcock and the carbs? I have nothing but bad luck with fuel starvation at freeways speeds or high rpms when there is a filter on the line. Could also be a plugged gas cap, that's easy, just remove cap, take her for 1 - 3 gear blast and see if it runs different.

You guys have lots of good ideas. The only filter I am running is the petcock filter in the tank.

Okay, I took the 450 out this evening and got somewhat aggressive with it. It pulled thru the first 3 gears fairly strong and I shifted at 7,000 each time .... then had to shut down for fear of getting the attention of an LEO. I must say, I don't remember it pulling through the gears so strongly. I could have tried to wring 9,000 out of it but was too intimidated. It felt strong at 7,000 with no tendency to fade .... as in many months before. I have done a LOT of work on this vintage bike an possibly not all was attended to with those rpm runs? A few days ago I tried to get rpms .... but that is when I was low on fuel and need to hit the reserve lever.

[dennco2]

My GS450 is now running the best since I have owned it. I keep having to adjust the 2-carb idle adjuster to keep it at 1,300 rpms. Have owned it 2 years now but the 1st year was a nightmare with all the work needed. Now I just tap the starter button .... and it starts during the summer months. Yes, it will rev to 9K + but I can't help but think I am beating the poor bike to death ... and usually just baby it to 6,000 on gear shifts.

The GS resources states that I am no longer a Forum Apprentice .... but a Forum Mentor now. Don't feel qualified to offer advice to others except with basic stuff I have had to deal with.