I've come a long way, but still a few issues left. Any tips on power issues?

[Guest]

Hey guys.

I just want to start off by saying that without all you fine people here I wouldn't have made it nearly as far as I have now.

Now the bike turns on, it idles nicely! I can actually ride the thing!


I have a few issues left like the speedometer just stopped working, the tachometer will every once in a while go crazy before going back to normal, and I have oil leaks (which I think is coming from the exhaust heads).

But it idles nicely!!! I'm so happy.

---------------------------------Actual problem statement vvv-------------------------------------------------------

The bike seems to be inconsistent with how much power its putting out. A few days ago (on Sunday) it was really pulling, which I think is how it should be feeling. Nice power at all rpms. However, yesterday and today the bike is more......anemic. I have hills everywhere, so power differences is noticeable. It just isn't pushing as hard. It makes me think maybe one cylinder isn't even running? (Is there a way to tell?). I'm gonna check the spark plugs again and the coils.

However, I don't actually understand how to test the coils. Where do I put the leads? My coils look like this.

http://grimcyclesalvage.com/catalog/images/p/1017/101781_01_md.jpg

I want to follow all the advice, but I can't visualize where you guys are testing it. (Do I need to open it up?)

So after coils, what can cause this issue? Can a bad ignitor do that?


Again, thanks for everything you guys have done!

edit:
Things that I have don
New intake and air boots
Carbs dipped and cleaned, new orings
Petcock cleaned
Gaskets for various areas replaced
Valves adjusted (one is slightly out of spec, due to the shim I needed being out of stock)
Electrical wired fixed/cleaned/etc.
R/R replaced

I think that is most of the big stuff?

P.S: You guys know anyone that has an airbox for a 1982 GS450L? Part number 13700-44102

[Nessism]

Valve adjust?

[lettuceman44]

Valve adjust?

Oh yea, forgot to mention already did that. Only one valve is slightly out of spec because the shim I needed was out of stock, so I went with the next closest shim. Thanks for reminding that I need to change that out :P

But I don't think that would cause the power loss I'm having?


Also, this was happening earlier this year as well, but once the boots were replaced it seemed the power came back.

[Gorminrider]

This is a 450, correct? so crossing out the obvious off the list, With two cylinders, one missing is really noticeable. unlikely Coils/ignition aren't going to fail just "uphill" unless- idea-advance mechanism is stuck but this'd be noticeable all the time..level or uphill)

You could try: inorder of my ideas of probability:
-read Manual! troubleshooting section per "loss of power" if it has this.... Sometimes this will kick a neuron into place.
-recheck for possible airleaks as that was what did it before.
-try those hills again with fuel tap to prime.
-Carb synch comes to mind...carb synch is a very slight adjustment from a bench synch (=where both butterflies very nearly close exactly together)
-Diagphragms/ and "slides" of CV carbs ..well, when I fiddle with carbs I like to see them all operate exactly the same as to drop speed when their port is plugged with a finger
-plug chop immediately after symptom? it seems a good diagnostic if done right...I think you need new plugs and to put them in at the bottom of a hill when bike is warmed up.

[lettuceman44]

Thanks for the tips.

I'm going through the electrical system right now. After I'm done with that I'll try the other things you mentioned!

edit: I don't mean that it only happens uphill. Just that the hills make it very noticeable that its barely getting by.

[salty_monk]

Ignitor box going bad? Just another idea.

[lettuceman44]

Ignitor box going bad? Just another idea.

Could a weak spark have the symptom of power loss? Maybe it wasn't firing every cycle?

I just replaced the spark plug caps and cleaned up all the wires, and fixed some frayed wires. Sparks are now really big, way stronger than before. Makes me realize how weak they were before.

Waiting for all the electric cleaner to dry off before trying it out.