Infra Red image of Start Up

[Guest]

This is my newly purchased 79 GS850 during the first few minutes of warming up. I think the #2 cylinder (as viewed from left sitting on seat) begins firing after it gets a bit warm... It has warmed up with the others, but in this photo sequence it is still pretty cold after a few minutes. The # 4 pipe is slow, but is definitely firing.

This bike has 13,000 miles on it and sat with Stabilz in tank for the last 3 years. After reading through the forums here I think I have some work to do. This bike looks great and must have always been garaged. I think the maintenance was overlooked though.

I drove from Indy to the upper pen of Michigan to look at it. I looked at the oil in the window and it was clean. It started and after riding it about 50 yards I thought it would be a good purchase. So I ran some Seafoam through the tank and have let it run. The front valve covers were leaking oil badly and must have been for a long while as there was black goo all over the area... the thing smoked like crazy on the front pipes. I tightened the valve covers and the leaks all went away (for now). I unstuck the rear brake, cleaned the engine a bit, drained out the old gas, put in a little premium and more seafoam and have let it run each day for 2 weeks now. I rode it gently 3 times and it seems to run very well for a bike that has sat for extended periods and likely had no required maintenance. I added air to the forks and it looks like the left fork seal is leaking a little.

I have already read through a ton of info in the forums, but any suggestions are welcome.

Anyway I thought since I have an IR camera I would share some photos.

Todd

[tkent02]

I unstuck the rear brake.... and have let it run each day for 2 weeks now.

The bike needs some basic maintenance, they all do.
I hope you are not just letting it idle for long periods of time, but even more, I hope you are not riding it until the brakes are completely disassembled and cleaned. The first can break your engine, the second can break your head.

[JEEPRUSTY]

OMG you can see under people's clothes with IR.

[twotimeGSr]

Ir

Yes, IR is pretty useful.

I had not thought about the brakes. The rotors look unused, but I will dissassemble them all and replace all of the fluid as well. Stopping the bike is more important than starting it. Thanks for the reminder.

I've not let it idle and walked away.. I'm trying to let it get good and warm with moderate revving and shut it down before it gets too hot... Every day it starts easier and goes off choke quicker.

tp

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Very interesting picture!



I would encourage you to do all the proper maintenance up front. You'll find a couple of maintenance lists in your "mega-welcome". The carbs need to be properly cleaned. The brake calipers and master cylinders need to be rebuilt. The brake lines need to be replaced with braided stainless steel lines. The charging system needs to be checked. All of the electrical connections on the entire bike need to be checked and cleaned. The tires need to be replaced. The fork oil and probably the fork seals need to be replaced. The valves need adjustment. Change the gear oil in the secondary gear case and the final drive. Who knows when the last time any of this was done? You'll find lots of 850-specific help on my little website.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Stahlgrau333]

My guess would be that #2 is running a little rich.

[tkent02]

Are you sure it's a '79? Give us a regular picture of the carburetors?

[Big T]

Are you sure it's a '79? Give us a regular picture of the carburetors?

You're just asking because you think it's an 80 and the petcock is leaking into #2, right?

2timeGSr, you really need to do some real maintenance on this bike, Putting Seafoam in it isn't a substitute for what it needs

I cringe to think how old the tires are.

You'll need to toss $3-500 at this bike and a bunch of wrenching. Get started now

[twotimeGSr]

Much maintenance to do!!

Yep its got the VM carbs... definitely a 79,, has the kick starter as well. I'll upload some standard pics soon.

I just recieved a new set of AVON roadmaster tires, so I will have them on before I take it on the road again. It's been 25 years since I changed a set (I had this same model when new) but I think I can still get it done.

Also, I talked with a great local supply house Cycle Recycle II. The owner said if I bring him my carbs he will do a bench eval and let me know what they will need, so the carbs come off tomorrow or Thurs.

I have a factory service manual on its way (ebay) and it should arrive in a couple of days.. I don't want to get into the brakes until that arrives, but I think when the wheels are off for tires would be a good time to work on the calipers.

Does anyone know how to upload multiple pics in a post? The site tells me my maximum is one picture... so I had to drag my IR photos to powerpoint and then save as one jpg, then open and reduce the size... can do it again if needed, but would be easier just to upload a few at once.

Thanks,

tp

[Flyboy]

Welcome, interesting little devise that FLIR, I can see heaps of ways it could be a handy diagnostic tool.
To upload multiple pics, just open yourself a photobucket account, upload them to there and then just copy and paste the img tag into your post, easy as pie, you are allowed 10 pcs per post.
As far as the cabs go, all you need is a set of O-Rings from Cycle O-Rings and a can of carb dip and a bit of free time, you will find the carb cleaning tutorial on Basscliffs site, don't let them try and flog a bunch of carb kits off to you, it is not needed.
other than that, sounds like you have it all under control.
Keep the pics coming.
Oh, don't forget the valve clearances, there are plenty folks here with tons of knowlage on these bikes, just post any questions and they will jump straight in to help where they can.

[cowboyup3371]

Use Photobucket please for your pics.

[Big T]

Go back and read Basscliff's site. You can get

1. Factory service manual download
2, How to post pictures on the GSR
3. VM carb rebuild guide

and lots more

[twotimeGSr]

Info!

You guys are Great!

Thanks for the info. I too have a sneeking suspicion that the valves have not been adjusted. I figured that since the valve covers had not been tightened as required nobody ever adjusted the valves either. I'm pouring through all of the info online here... excellent stuff. Unfortunately I bought the service manual on ebay before joining this forum and figuring out I could download it here... lesson learned.

[twotimeGSr]

I do enegry audits and the Flir IR is great for spotting energy loss areas in houses. I just thought I could use it to illuminate what is going on with my 850. I also have a digital manometer that is darn sensitive and accurate. I use it when running blower-door depressurization for leak testing houses. I am wondering if I can use it to help adjust the carbs..

[twotimeGSr]

Here is a link with 5 photos: http://photobucket.com/79gs850

Thx,

tp