Heart's in it to get this babe running well but I'll need some help

[ccollinspm]

I bought a 1982 GS650G Cafe custom this past november and put her in storage. She's podded, has an exhaust, and according to the receipts I received, was rejetted as well.

Brought her back out and had the hardest damn time getting her running. But I succeeded!

She hard starts like crazy with a smoke show ANY time the throttle is twisted (smoke usually comes AFTER the throttle is released). Idle is getting worse and worse.

Found out the carbs were all dry fouled except for one. (???) and the wires are shot. Those get here on Tuesday so I'm hoping that will get my idle a little better. I know now from tearing through the forums that I need to get the valves adjusted (about 6800 miles on the bike), probably should rebuild the carbs and clean the bejesus out of them, and then go from there.

I want to do the valve adjustment myself and my knowledge of internal mechanics is limited. I got my manual from BikeCliffs website and a ton of other walkthroughs from him. (the man is a saint) but I need to figure out where to get shims/tools/etc? I've got limited time to get her right as my summer internship for Paramedic school starts in one month! GSResources, take the wheel!! Thanks in advance, guys.

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. ccollinspm,

Didn't I mention Z1Enterprises.com in the valve adjustment guide? That's where I bought my shims and tappet tool. There is also a Shim Club in the forum (see the Services section) you can use to trade shims. But once you know your clearances and shim sizes you can "guesstimate" the shims you will need for future adjustments and order ahead to avoid the wait. And now, since I can't help myself, here's your "mega-welcome".

If you are here you probably have a 30 year old motorcycle that needs about 20 years worth of maintenance. You'll find all kinds of helpful tips, procedures, manuals, diagrams, "how-to" guides, etc, in the links below. Let's get started.

Let me dump a TON of information on you and share some GS lovin'.

I just stopped by to welcome you to the forum in my own, special way.

If there's anything you'd like to know about the Suzuki GS model bikes, and most others actually, you've come to the right place. There's a lot of knowledge and experience here in the community. Come on in and let me say "HOoooowwwDY!"....

Here is your very own magical, mystical, mythical, mind-expanding "mega-welcome". Please take notice of the "Top 10 Common Issues", "Top 15 Tips For GS Happiness", the Carb Cleanup Series, and the Stator Papers. All of these tasks must be addressed in order to have a safe, reliable machine. This is what NOT to do: Top 10 Newbie Mistakes. Now let me roll out the welcome mat for you...



Please Click Here For Your Mega-Welcome, chock full of tips, suggestions, links to vendors, and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I've been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. Don't forget, we like pictures! Not you, your bike!

More links to helpful threads in the forum:
Help! Your Bike Won't Start
DON'T DO THESE THINGS
Help! Your Bike Won't Run Well
Oh God! Pods!


Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[ccollinspm]

Thanks, BassCliff! I did check out Z1enterprises. I felt like the price ($100 for all four) was a bit high as I just found a rebuild kit on ebay for $50 for all four. Any opinions?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-4-suzuki-GS650-G-GL-1981-1982-1983-GS650-M-katana-carb-repair-rebuild-kits-/380631234598?rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D163%26meid%3D7293355694718113294%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D1088%26rk%3D2%26sd%3D110963237731%26

I'm trying to minimalize the damage on my wallet without making mistakes. I have dry rotted tires with perfect tread ($250 plus a bruising to my heart), and I found the valve shim kit ALONE is $170.. :O how are these small things so goshdarn expensive?! Any pointers to save bank would be crucial for me. Like I said.. this baby WILL run. It was true love at first sight. But I don't want resentment to muck up this relationship from money. XD

[GateKeeper]

you could have saved the 50 bucks on the rebuild kit, and just cleaned the carb as per the carb rebuild tutorial, perhpas you might have only needed new gaskets for the float bowl, if you damaged them while taking apart the carbs.

most kits, as you will read here on the site are inferior to the original parts that are in your carbs currently, and those current parts need only to be cleaned properly, inspected to make sure they are not damaged and can be reused and used for another 30 years....

let them soak in your favorite carb cleaner concoction and then (Berrymans, PineSol, etc....)

strip em down like this and clean em real good......





more pics here....

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=184389&page=2

.

[ccollinspm]

GateKeeper, many many thanks. I'm gonna replace the fuel lines while I'm at it. Any idea on what size tubing/what lines I should replace? You guys are awesome. I'm learning as I go.

[ccollinspm]

Here's a picture of my bike for you guys. I heard you like pics!

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Yes! For the carbs, 90% of the time all you need are float bowl gaskets and an O-ring kit from cycleorings.com. That information should be in Mr. Nessism's carb rebuild guide on my website.

EDIT: There is a "hoses" page on my website too.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[GateKeeper]

no problem, glad to help.....

by the way nice bike...




by the way go to USER CP, and add your location, and what bike you have in your signature....it will save you from having to tell us each time there is a question.....

Cheers

.

[ccollinspm]

Done and done! Thanks again, gentlemen. I'll keep you posted.

[ccollinspm]

Update: poured some seafoam in. Magical elixir of life. Went for a nice spirited ride around Chicago.

So once the bike is warmed up, when I really lay on the throttle it seems to choke/sputter/misfire but still gets up to speed. Just feels robbed of power. Any ideas of why this would be? Idles pretty well around 1200 rpms.

Also.. my tail light assembly appears to have been JB welded on..... well.. not anymore. My rear wheel ate it for a snack. Shiny Sh** flying all over the place. I couldn't help but just laugh my arse off.

[chuck hahn]

Carbs are dirty from 6 months of setting and I would rinse out the tank as well.

Check the petcock screen filter for cleanliness.

Redo the carbs AND intake manifold orings with Roberts kit for each.

Check valve adjustments ON A STONE COLD engine and then vacuum sync the carbs. These should take care of 99% of any problems.

[Ghostgs1]

That is one pretty bike. Using sea foam may clean up the carbs well enough for decent performance. If not, it isn't that difficult to do especially with the great access you have. You may be interested in the shim club when you check you clearances. See thread in my signature. Welcome to the GSR. Ray

[spyug]

With less than 7000 miles on the clock a valve adjustment is not really needed. The carbs on the other hand sound like they need a full strip , dip and rebuild with fresh o-rings.

Seafoam is good stuff but its only a stop gap and you do need to dip them to get them clean. O-rings dry out and crack letting in air so if you don't change those you will be chasing your tail trying to figure out running problems.

That is a very nice bike and you should be riding it so take some time now and sort the carbs properly.

Good luck with it.
Spyug