82' GS1100G runs on choke only

[Anonymous]

My 1982 GS1100G with 10,000 miles will start and run only with the choke on. The last time I rode it, there was a single pop sound. I barely made it home. I checked the compression and is it about 90,50,60,90psi. After adding oil, psi went up a couple of pounds. I have also tried a bleed down test at 100psi to listen for air escaping from intake/exhaust valves but nothing is heard.I have soaked and cleaned the carbs too and changed the petcock... Pete in Chicago

[Anonymous]

Did you do those compression numbers cold? Because if those are proper compression readings from a hot engine then I think you've got a problem. Barring the WCS, though...

Did you check the idle set screw?

Are the carbs synched?

Is the air/fuel mixture set right (if there are aluminum plugs on the top of the engine side of the carbs, never mind)?

Any big exhaust leaks?

Is the airbox stock and in good shape?

Are your intake boots cracked or worn? And have you had them off any time soon to check the o-ring?

Anything hampering fuel flow (kinked lines, rusty tank, cracked/torn vacuum hose on petcock, malfunctioning petcock)?

Check for spark on the plugs by grounding them out on the block and starting the motor. Is the spark big & blue on all four?

Tell us more about your pop sound and bad ride home. You mean you heard it backfire and then it started to run poorly?

[focus frenzy]

pop then loss of power and loss of compression.hmmmm
take the cam cover off and check cam chain tension, and cam timing.

[jeff.saunders]

did you check compression with the throttle WIDE OPEN? If not, do it again.