Carb issues on 83 GS1100E

[83GS1100E_Tornado]

Small world, my siblings were all born at Timken Mercy, but I was actually born at Aultman! My dad worked for and retired from Timken Roller Bearing, worked their for 35 years, and my older brother still works there to this day! Did you graduate from Timken or McKinley, or one of the other local county schools? I graduated from Timken in 1982! I know what you mean about parts of the city, I grew up on the NW side, over by Lehman middle school, and the last couple times I've been back, it's like a friggin' demilitarized zone! :shock:

I'll try to rig something up tonight and see what happens, I have been searching on eBay for a box and haven't seen on in the last week or so! Thanks again!

[83GS1100E_Tornado]

No luck. Plugged up the air box, now it won't even start. Looks like I'll be doing some carb swapping! Thanks for the advice anyway!!!!

[chef1366]

I graduated from Jackson High school in 86. Long story. Sorry you couldn't get it. These carbs don't wear out so it's probably just a cleaning issue.

[dtkid]

Don't give up yet. (I had to quit responding yesterday cause my computer crashed).

You can't "plug" the air-box or you won't get any air. What I meant to say was to make a rigid lid that won't compromise any of the inside of the air-box.

Let me know what type of air-box you have (does it have an filter box that attaches to it)? I have an air-box from an 83' GS1100G. I'll let you have it cheap if it will work....but when you look at yours be sure to check that there was or was not an air-filter box attached. Describe yours to me and I'll see if I can match it up with one of mine.

I know the 80' and 81' had a separate air-filter box that attached to the back of the air box....but I'm not sure about the 83'. I do however have an 83' air box. I just don't remember what it looks like.

Note: I have never seen carbs that are so bad that they can't be repaired!!! Unless somebody poured epoxy into the air ports or smashed it with a sledge! I absolutely believe you have a very simple fix. Be patient and let me know about the physical dynamics of yours. I'm goin to my shop right now to check mine and I'll be back at the computer later on this afternoon.

[83GS1100E_Tornado]

Yes, mine has a separate box that connects to the main box, which connects to the carbs. I'm missing the small box that actually contains the air filter! What I did was cover the hole with some duck tape, and the bike would not start at all, didn't even try to start. Then I poked a few holes in it, and still nothing. I'm to the point now where I'm about ready to just pull them over and go through them again, or better yet, slap on a set that I KNOW are good, and see what happens. I'm 95% sure it's just a carb issue, there are no telltale signs pointing towards anything else!!!!

[dtkid]

It did however start before you put duct tape over the hole?

If so.......take the tape off, start the machine then slowly add tape to the hole. If the bike responds....i.e., revs, etc. then I would say that you are on the right track.

I am asssuming that you cleaned all the ports and jets earlier (I think that is what you said). The top end of the carbs won't need any cleaning because it is doubtful that the port that allows the vacuum to lift your slides is rarely an issue.

Does that back of the air box (around the opening) have a 'lip' that you can directly clamp a filter to? If so, you may be able to just purchase a K&N that directly clamps to it.

But, try to start the bike without the tape and then play with restricting the hole while it is running. I can't stress enough how sensitive these machines are to the appropriate mixture. Truly they won't run if it ain't right.......but you are close to getting it right.

[83GS1100E_Tornado]

It started with the choke on before I starting playing with the duct tape over the airbox filter hole. Once I put the duct tape over the hole, it never even tried to start, not once. Poked several holes in it, never even fired again. Took the tape off, still not firing at all. So I'm thinking maybe I have flooded the carbs. I'm going to try and drain the bowls and start over again. Thanks again for your help!

[chef1366]

Don't drain your bowls, they are flooded in your cylinders, you'd be better off removing your spark plugs.

[83GS1100E_Tornado]

I'm "giving up" for now, I've acquired a complete set of 34MM's, exactly like the ones on this bike, except they came off an 82' instead of an 83', and aren't black, but they are completely rebuilt and ready to bolt on and go. Should have them by Wednesday, I'll take these carbs off and go through them again for "practice", I'm sure between the two sets I'll be able to get one of them running good!!!!! I'll post back with the results next week!!!!!

[83GS1100E_Tornado]

Well, slapped my new carbs on tonight, fired up on the first try! Pretty smooth throttle response, things are definitely looking up! Waiting to get a gas tank bracket and head light in the mail (Darn Canada snail mail), once I get that stuff attached, I'll be taking my first cruise down the road! Hopefully, the tranny will be fine and I can go ahead and send off for my title! Thanks for everyone's help in getting my bike up and running, can't wait to get it all put together, cleaned up and some new pics taken! GSR rules!!!!! :-D :-D

[83GS1100E_Tornado]

Last night when I finally got the bike running, it was dark, so I just pushed it in the garage and decided I would take it on it's maiden voyage this evening. Got home, pushed her out of the garage, turned the key, now it won't start. Doesn't appear to be a carb issue, I took the plugs out and they were all a little wet, but tried to crank it with a plug in it, and I saw exactly no spark? I'll search the archives, but this really sucks. I was so siked to see what I had, I don't even know if the bike will move on it's own power, now it won't even run, again!!!! I'm about ready to give up and just buy a complete running bike and use this one for parts, I got it on the cheap without a title, but I was soooooooo close to getting it going! AAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Unclesol]

If your stock carbs, do end up needing to be rebuilt, you should really consider buying a set of Mikuni VM33 smooth bores. These are no longer manufactured but you should be able to find a used set easily. The performance the smoothbores give you on the top end is incredible. I have had a set on my bike for over 10 years. The smooth bores do require a push/pull throttle, so you would have to change out your hand throttle.

If you ever decide to part with your smoothies, you'll have a field day around here. They are not that easy to find...

[83GS1100E_Tornado]

Update

Well, played around with the electrical tonight and figured out the problem, I'm back in business again! Simple fix too, just a loose wire behind the headlight, wiggled it while my buddy hit the starter, and VROOM! I'm happy again! Going to fix the wiring and try to get the maiden voyage out of the way tomorrow, I'll post back with the results, hopefully positive ones!

[83GS1100E_Tornado]

Maiden voyage a success!

Woo Hoo! Maiden voyage was a success, fixed the electrical problem behind the headlight, fired her up, drove her around the block several times, all gears seem to be fine. Getting closer.........now, the battery is dead, it's not charging, but I already knew this was coming. The rectifier has been HOT since day one, but I already have a new one, so that will be my next "fix". If that doesn't work, guess I'll be looking at the stator and going from there. The only thing else the bike really needs is front fork seals, but I'm waiting to get some Progressive springs in the mail before I do them........Should have her on the road soon!!!! I can officially start cleaning her up now, I'll post some pics of the bike after I make her look more respectable..........:-D

[brgmiata]

Backfire through the carbs

I was looking for information regarding a backfire through the carbs on my 1983 GS1100E and found this string. I recently installed a big bore kit to clean up after the #4 wrist pin clip let go and the pin scored a big gouge in the bore. That part is done and the engine was put together after a cleanup of the carbs (though not to the degree I have seen here). The engine starts right up and idles well, but at part throttle it backfires on all of them. I put individual filters in place of the air box after rebuild. Would going to the larger jets avoid this problem? (I think they are 112.5 mains). It almost seems more like a timing issue, but I have checked the cam timing twice and it appears on target. Bike has about 45k miles on it. I may just but the stock airbox on and see if this clears it up first, but love the simplicity and look of the individual filters.