Sluggish GS850 help...

[Polishpower77]

Fairly new rider here, any help would be appreciated. So...I added a quart of oil to my 81 GS850G last week, ever since then, the top speed I am getting is roughly around 55mph, at almost 4000 RPM's, and it sounds like its really struggling to get to that speed. Have I muffed something up by adding the oil (my oil window gauge showed low, so that is the reason I added oil). The spark plugs look okay, it just seems really sluggish at times, even when shifting gears, like its running too rich...too much oil I thought but the window now shows the level as to where its supposed to be. Oil change, filter, plugs, etc? Will that help? Feels like I am always riding up hill in any gear, ya know what I mean...? Thanks in advance for any help.

[rustybronco]

850's aren't sluggish; you've got other issues.

how about a 'bit' of history on the old beast? what's been done to it, miles, ect...

[Polishpower77]

Nothing mechanical has been done to it, just added the oil...had it for a year, 26,000 miles. Put on about 1500 so far since spring. Was running pretty good, since it is my first bike, thought that is the way it should be...I had nothing to compare it too I guess. Top speed before adding the oil was not to great either, maybe 60-65mph, I was fine with that however, whenever I tried really pushing the throttle to get it to go faster it seemed to be really be struggling to do so. So anyway, where I am at now, sluggish, hoping to resolve that. Any tips? Thanks!

[Dogma]

That's way too sluggish for an 850. They will easily pass 100+ mph, stock.

Please describe what you know about the bike, what parts are no longer stock, etc. Does it run smoothly? What mileage do you get? Do you get good spark at all 4 plugs?

[Larry D]

My best advise is to learn how to use the search function on this site and educate yourself as much as possible. There is a treasure trove of info buried there.

In the meantime do this and make sure your airbox is sealed well.

http://www.thegsresources.com/gs_carbrebuild.htm

[rustybronco]

Nothing mechanical has been done to it, just added the oil...had it for a year, 26,000 miles. Put on about 1500 so far since spring. Was running pretty good, since it is my first bike, thought that is the way it should be...I had nothing to compare it too I guess. Top speed before adding the oil was not to great either, maybe 60-65mph, I was fine with that however, whenever I tried really pushing the throttle to get it to go faster it seemed to be really be struggling to do so. So anyway, where I am at now, sluggish, hoping to resolve that. Any tips? Thanks!

Any tips? other than basic maintenance not much. I suspect if it feels like it's running rich, it is. your 81, in stock form, will easily do over 100 Mph and get 40+ Mpg when rode normally

reasons for running rich could be, but not limited to, carbs needing cleaning, air filter needing servicing, ruptured petcock diaphram, insufficient voltage at the coils, too high of a secondary coil resistance, someone monkeying around with things they shouldn't be trying to improve something ...

[Dogma]

Is it possible to be rich enough to loose that much power and not notice the smell of gas or foul plugs?

The loss of power reminds me of the time I messed up the cam timing on my 850. (Don't install cams at 3:00 AM in questionable light.) I'm not saying that's it. It's just that he's way down on power.

[rustybronco]

Dale??

Hard to say without seeing it. brakes dragging... mice in the air box... running on two or three cylinders...???

Nothing mechanical has been done to it

things don't get worse just by adding oil, so it's time to start with the basics.

[1_v8_merc]

1.) Valves serviced?
Tight valves will ruin your higher RPM band, thus robbing your top speed.


2.)Carburetors Synchronized?
If they aren't, you will lose top end power again.

Both of these happened to my 650, so Im speaking from personal experience.

3.)Positive the bike firing on all cylinders?

4.)Fuel supply problem?

[Dogma]

Dale??

Hard to say without seeing it. brakes dragging... mice in the air box... running on two or three cylinders...???

things don't get worse just by adding oil, so it's time to start with the basics.

Dale,

From his description, it sounds like it has always been this way for him. Based on that, I wonder if the PO did something to it. As you say, nothing will be learned here without going back to basics.

-Other Dale

[OLDENUFF]

He said it would only do 65 when he got it, so it came with the problem.

[rustybronco]

And, what it came with, could be just sitting for a long time neglected. or because it had been neglected, became sitting...

time to start with the basics PP77.

[Polishpower77]

Thanks everyone, appreciate all the tips! Wow, you guys are great. I will take a look at all suggestions, starting with the basics of course. And when I say top spped when I got it, meant that is the top speed I got it up to, as I was leary about going faster, hate to admit it, but my first bike, newbie rider, lil scared. Anyway, I'm past that, comfortable on it, so I am ready to open it up. I know these 850's can really steam, so that's what I am missing. I'll report back after I find the culprit. Thanks fellas.

[rustybronco]

Stop right now... do not pass go... do not collect $200...

Check your valve clearances! Want a good enough reason? I'll show you a picture of a burnt exhaust valve.

[Steve]

One other question to toss into the mix:

When you saw that your oil level was "low" was the bike on the side stand or the center stand?

.