Carb adjustments / throttle stop screw

[slowride]

I'm new to this site so I apologize if this topic has already been discussed. I have a 1982 GS850G and I have a terrible time starting it lately. Once it runs, and has warmed up, no problem unless I have to stop, then I have to keep the rpms up a little (above the recommended setting) so it won't stall. A couple years ago I had some work done on the carbs but since then it hasn't been the same. I'm in the process of getting a service manual but in the mean time I tried to do a couple adjustments on my own. I was turning the throttle adjustment screw then read later (elsewhere) I should not have messed with it. Is there a set point I can return it to? I think that is one of my problems. AND do my carbs (mikuni bs32ss) have jets? I was talking to someone recently and they said they don't but the service place who worked on my bike said one of the things they did was replace the jets. I love to ride, I wish I was a mechanic as well. When I lived in Erie, PA I had a mechanic there who kept the bike running FANTASTIC. Where is he now? Thanks.

[hampshirehog]

Hi - your carbs do have jets - when they were replaced was it because you had switched airfilters (OEM to pods perhaps)? Is there a filter in the box even?

There could be a number of things wrong with your carbs. First I'd look for airleaks as your problems stem from when someone had them off. Are all the airbox to carb and carb to cylinder head rubbers on tight, with no splits or perishing? Are the carb rubbers screwed on tight? If you can't see anything, give each carb rubber a squirt of WD or similar and see if the revs pick up - if so, you've got a leak. You might need new O rings on your carbs as well if they've been off - loads of links here on that subject.

If all above is fine then you're into mixture adjustment - again loads on that here but check the above first.

good luck
Wally

[Dave8338]

Welcome to the fourm, BassCliff will give you the "Royal" treatment shortly. Until then, the previous advice is well stated. It is likely that the shop messed things up, it happens all the time. How many miles are on the bike? What, to the best of your knowledge has been done to it? What have you checked? This should be a fairly simple issue to correct though you may have to invest some TIME.

[slowride]

Carb adjustments / throttle stop screw

I'm embarrassed to admit I have less than 20,000 miles on my bike. There was a period (about 4 years) I didn't get to ride it at all. Anyway, the service shop said they rebuilt the carbs and put new injectors in. Ever since then (about two years now) it has not run smoothly. I thought I would try to tinker with it during the winter since I won't ride it for the next four to five months (too cold). I'll check the previously mentioned items, but probably not until after the New Year, too many relatives coming in town. I greatly appreciate the advice though. Keep it coming. Thanks.

[slowride]

Thanks for the information. I went to Mr. robertbarr and got some o-rings and new fasteners (great service by the way) and replaced the ones on the air intake flanges from the carbs to the engine. I cleaned up the air box as well as the breather hose connection and tightened all the rubber connections. I'm planning on putting new plugs in. Hopefully that will do it. I'm still a little worried about the throttle stop (idle speed) screw I messed with. I guess I'll see when I'm finished and try to get it running. Does anyone know if there is a set position for it?
Oh, I have a 1981 GS850G NOT a 1982.
Thanks,
Ed

[catbed]

one thing you could do is turn your mixture screws all the way in, lightly, and back them out 2 turns. then start the bike and let it idle(or attempt to idle in your case) and turn the mixture screws out slowly. you should hear the RPMs rise or fall. if they rise, keep turning it until the RPMs start to drop, then back put it in an 1/8th of a turn. if the RPMs fall when you back the screws out, turn them in slowly until the RPMs rise to their highest point. do it for each carb, then turn the idle speed screw in or out so the idle is at or around 1050 RPMs.

OR

Buy a colortune spark plug. it has a quartz window so you can tune the carbs by the color of the gas exploding.

also, make sure your airbox is completely sealed. run some silicon caulk around the sides so the caps make an airtight seal.