New to forum - 85 GS700ES - Couple of questions.....

[Anonymous]

Hello,

New to the forum, have been reading it for a while and using the search function. Lots of good information here. My KLR 650 has been out of commission for a while, so I bought a GS700ES about a month ago. It shows 10K miles on the odometer (that may not be correct) - and is in generally good condition. When I got it the fuel petcock was in the prime location and the oil level was really full (gas in the oil?...) I changed it at my brothers house before riding it the 100 miles home (also moved the lever to "on") - previous owner had rattle canned the exhaust and engine, but otherwise pretty clean bike. I have sanded down the exhaust and repainted it. They had also painted the windscreen (with runs no less), which I repainted.

Now for a few questions ---

1. Most recently the bike is making a "ratcheting/clicking" noise - that is the best I can describe it - coming from the left side of the engine under 1st gear load. This noise disappears in 2nd-5th gears. It didn't do this when I first got the bike and doesn't always make the noise now. Putting it on the centerstand, I can't make it replicate the noise... -- clutch basket? chain? other? It goes away if I pull in the clutch lever.

2. The bike only gets 30mpg last time I checked it.... When I pulled the header off to sand and paint it, there was a lot of black powdery carbon inside the header pipes. Is this normal? The bike starts and runs great, as far as I know the jetting is stock, though that would be something to check down the road. I know I need to pull the plugs to look at them, but it doesn't smoke or seem to blow much through the pipes when you rev it. How bad should mileage be to be considered abnormal?

3. Front tire is currently a ME 33 - size 120/90-16 --- I haven't ridden bikes with a 16" front wheel. This thing seems to handle kind of strangely. Tends to want to flop into low speed corners. Needs a strong countersteering input. Feels more steady in higher speed sweepers, but lower speed and sharper corners feel strange. I searched most of the tire threads and there seems to be some disagreement on whether bigger tires are a bad idea. The rear is a Marathon ME88 in a 130 size. Tires are in great shape, so I don't want to replace them if not needed, but considering a diffferent front tire in a stock size.

- Dave

[mixongw]

My GS1100GL gets about 47 MPG, about 45 MPG if I use the power. As for the black powdery carbon would tend to indicate a rich mixture. You might want to try adjusting the pilot screws to see if it indeed is running rich. 30 MPG does sound a little low.

I'm not sure if the handling characteristics are a function of the large skinny front tire or not. You described how my GS1100 handles to a tee. I have the same tire. I attributed the strange low speed handling to the high center of gravity these bikes seem to have. I suppose that "top heavy" would be another way to describe it. They are easy to drop just sitting still (voice of experience). Once they get the weight far enough past center, there is nothing you can do but make sure you are out of the way!

I'm afraid that I can't shed much light on the noise problem. When I complain to my girlfriend about a new noise in my bike, she always replies,"Turn up the stereo!" Seriously, the noise coming when it is under load isn't something I have heard. I have heard noise coming from the clutch area when idling. It goes away when the clutch is dissengaged. I attributed that to the input shaft rattling, which usually isn't a problem.

Good luck and welcome to the GSR!

[fgh]

I've got an 83 Gs750ES. I really don't know about the noise. As for mileage I get about 40mpg at 60-65 mph. At around 80 it falls to less than 30. It's about the only bike I've driven in the past 22 years, but compared to what else I've driven and what the few others I let ride mine say the handling you describe is the way these guys are. I'll be looking for a new front in less than 5K miles but remember for the most part the stock sizes are hard to find. Most of the respected brands available will force you into something a little wider. I haven't been able to buy stock for about 10 years I guess.

[jtcrespo]

My bike is essentially the same as yours.

What RPM are you at when it makes the noise?

As far as the handling goes, my most recent tires (IRC Durotour in correct sizes) were the exact opposite of what you described. I felt I was having to put more input in during long sweepers to keep it in the turn, but it would handle in extremely tight turns very well. I attributed this to the smaller front wheel. Of course, it could just be my riding style as I do tend to stay on the bike in sweepers and hang off of it in the twisties. IMO, I would not go above a 110 on the front and 130 is all you are going to get in the rear without some metal fab. Try Bridgestone Battleax BT-45's for a 100/90-16 and 120/90-17. I'll have them on tomorrow and I'll let you know how they work once I break them in.

I agree that your carbs may be rich. Check jetting, needle positions, and float level height. Synch the carbs afterwards and your mileage should get a lot better. I get 40mpg or more on mine on the highway, but it drops quickly as I turn my wrist more.

[duaneage]

I think your needle seats in your carbs are letting gas get by because of foreign matter or varnish. This will cause the higher fule level in the bowls, sometimes intermittantly, that will make it run rich. Consider using gas treatment for a while or else a carb cleaning. After 20 years it probably could use it.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the replies. I guess the handling is probably how the bike is supposed to be. There were a couple threads about wider tires being forced onto skinny rims which caused the tires to actually have a smaller contact patch - I was thinking this might be happening since the stock size is a 100. The bike generally requires a good bit of countersteer to hold its line, but seems to be pretty nimble. I have noticed that if I let go of the bars at about 45 or so it will start shaking the bars pretty severely. Have not let it go to a full tilt tankslapper. Lesson? Don't let go of the grips!

I was listening more closely today and it makes the noise in second gear (and probably in higher gears too) - I think the chain is too loose, it was OK when I first got the bike, so maybe it loosened up in the last month. I'm going to pull it into the house tonight and check the tension and the front sprocket.

This isn't the first GS I've owned. I have had a lot of older bikes over the years. I had a 78 GS-550 for a while, great bike. Wish I still had that one. The other one I regret selling was a Honda FT-500 Ascot. Big singles are fun bikes.

- Dave
Wenatchee, Washington

[duaneage]

Wish I still had that one. The other one I regret selling was a Honda FT-500 Ascot. Big singles are fun bikes.

My first bike was an 83 FT 500. Sold it to a buddy who promptly totaled it. If I ever sell my 650 it is not going to be to someone close to home, I don't want to help pick it up off the road.

I liked the low end of the Ascot. Wheelee machine deluxe.

[Anonymous]

Well, after pulling the bike in the house and playing with the chain some more it seems like the chain has some stiff links and is stretched in a section. When I tried to take the slack out then started rotating it, it would bind then loosen up.... Chain was also very dry. I had lubed it when I got it, but I guess living on a dirt road I should have been better about lubing it. It is probably time for new chain and sprockets. In the meantime lubing it with Mobil 1 - all I had handy and working out some of the links seems to have helped. I've never had a chain sound so bad....

Winter is coming, I guess I will replace the sprockets, chain and take a look at the carbs in a month or so....

- Dave

[oldschoolGS]

I think youre on the right track- sounds like drivetrain to me.

Don't know about mileage, mine has not been stock since new.

Your front tire profile- 120/90 does not seem right, It is is too tall. It should be 120/80- I have many miles on the 120/80 ME33 Lazer, it is one of the best fronts made for a 16in wheel. The CompK compound is probably the stickiest front tire you can buy for these bikes. That tire was designed for the mass of 16in bias ply bikes of the 80's- FZ750, GS750/700, VF750/700, GPZ900 ect. It was also designed to work with any rear.

Everyopne I knew ran that tire back then as it was the best you could buy. Admittely it is a little wide for a 2.5in rim, but none of these bikes had anything wider than a 3.0in front rim anyway. I would not go back to stock sizes as these were way too skimpy for a 450lb bike.

I can only speak from experience, I have never had any problems running a 120/80 front on my 750. Also ran the Dunlop K591R in the same size. I would check for any abnormal tire wear or play in the front end. Steering head bearings should be checked for your headshake.

The ME88 is a good all around rear. It is probably one of the best in a 130 size. These were good bikes, strong motor with good handling for the period. Overall, once you get it sorted you should be happy with it.

Good Luck, Ed.
1983 GS750ED
2005 GSF1200SZ

http://groups.msn.com/SuzukiGSGarage/gs750edbacktolife.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=3191

[oldschoolGS]

I think youre on the right track- sounds like drivetrain to me.

Don't know about mileage, mine has not been stock since new.

Your front tire profile- 120/90 does not seem right, It is is too tall. It should be 120/80- I have many miles on the 120/80 ME33 Lazer, it is one of the best fronts made for a 16in wheel. The CompK compound is probably the stickiest front tire you can buy for these bikes. That tire was designed for the mass of 16in bias ply bikes of the 80's- FZ750, GS750/700, VF750/700, GPZ900 ect. It was also designed to work with any rear.

Everyopne I knew ran that tire back then as it was the best you could buy. Admittely it is a little wide for a 2.5in rim, but none of these bikes had anything wider than a 3.0in front rim anyway. I would not go back to stock sizes as these were way too skimpy for a 450lb bike.

I can only speak from experience, I have never had any problems running a 120/80 front on my 750. Also ran the Dunlop K591R in the same size. I would check for any abnormal tire wear or play in the front end. Steering head bearings should be checked for your headshake.

The ME88 is a good all around rear. It is probably one of the best in a 130 size. These were good bikes, strong motor with good handling for the period. Overall, once you get it sorted you should be happy with it.

Good Luck, Ed.
1983 GS750ED
2005 GSF1200SZ

http://groups.msn.com/SuzukiGSGarage/gs750edbacktolife.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=3191

[Anonymous]

I just went and looked at the tires again. The front is a 120/80-16 ME 33 Laser. Rear is a 130/90-17 Marathon. I'll stick with these tires and learn how the bike handles before pushing it too hard. What tire pressures are you running on your 750?

Thanks.

[Tarbash 27]

I HAVE A 79 GS750L. I KNOW WHEN MY CHAIN GETS A LITTLE DRY, THE BIKE MAKES SO MUCH NOISE, ITS SOUNDS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH ARE FALLING APART. THERES ALL GRINDING SOUNDS AND SQUEAKS. ONCE I PUT A LITTLE CHAIN LUBE ON, IT BECOMES SO QUIET. ALSO, IF MY GAS TANK PETCOCK VACUUM HOSE IS NOT HOOKED UP, IT MAKES A KNOCKING SOUND IN THE MOTOR. THAT BEING HOOKED UP MAKES THE BIKE SILENT