81 GS650 engine help

[tkent02]

Well, I "hotwired" the engine and barely breathed on the starter button and she roared to life! \\/ Looks like there was some major losses between the batt and the coils.

The next step will be to implement the relay modification. It sounds like that'll make a world of difference. I'll let everyone know how it works out.

Thanks for the advice this far!

Russ

Congrats!!!

[cmart45]

Try running a wire from the + on the coil to the + on the battery?
If it helps, read about the relay mod discussed here this week.

That would eliminate low voltage causing a problem.

Hi! This is my first post.I also have a GS650 GL.(1982) I recently purchased.
I cleaned my carbs,checked compression(psi 130 to 145 on all cylinders),new plugs gaped @.028.Refurbished inside of fuel tank,new air filter. After start up,only three cylinders are hitting.I have spark on all plugs. I was wondering if you have any easier way to pull the carbs off. It's a -----! How hot is normal for GS650's. I always believed that a rule of thumb: If drops of water sizzle on the head,"it is too hot" I wonder if you know how to set the timing and valves and specs? I did order a repair manual through ebay yesterday.
Well good luck!

[tkent02]

Hi! This is my first post.I also have a GS650 GL.(1982) I recently purchased.
I cleaned my carbs,checked compression(psi 130 to 145 on all cylinders),new plugs gaped @.028.Refurbished inside of fuel tank,new air filter. After start up,only three cylinders are hitting.I have spark on all plugs. I was wondering if you have any easier way to pull the carbs off. It's a -----! How hot is normal for GS650's. I always believed that a rule of thumb: If drops of water sizzle on the head,"it is too hot" I wonder if you know how to set the timing and valves and specs? I did order a repair manual through ebay yesterday.
Well good luck!

Only hitting three at idle or with the throttle open?

[chef1366]

Sync those carbs.

[rahlberg]

I updated the electrical with the relay mod as detailed on the forum. That worked great. There is noticeably more power at start and idle. But I still have a few issues. I know I’m knocking these issues out one by one, so here’s the next one.

The engine does not kick over on it’s own (with the choke on or off). A tiny spritz of starter fluid get’s the juices running. Fuel is running through the tank and carb bowls, I confirmed this.

I have the needle valve set to 1.5 Turns out (per the carb specs).

Now once it’s running, it idles fine (a little high, but I can dial down the idle setting). As soon as I give it a little gas, it’ll die.

So that’s where I am now. Thoughts?

Thank
Russ

Congrats!!!

[LarryA_Texas]

Guys...first, a million thanks for all the great technical info. I'm trying to read more and get answers and you've been great. I have a question just to make sure I got it right.

Voltage on the + side of the coil should be at or near battery voltage. Significant drops indicate loss probably in one of the switches such as the kill or kick stand. OK so far? Now, if the coils are showing pretty good voltage but still no spark I'm looking for a bad igniter? Does that seem reasonable, too?

After reading this thread I checked again. Battery voltage was 12.67 and at the coil was 11.31 on each.

Next...what if I'm just not sure the coil is good, or strong enough? I have a coil from another bike and it didn't spark, either. CLYMER gives a clear description of how to check the signal generator (if checking resistance is enough) and then the igniter box is checked by looking for a spark...Well, heck, that doesn't tell me if it's the igniter or the coil. Any good suggestions there? How do you test a coil?

As background, this is a 1983 GS850GL...I also have an '82 GS850G that I resurrected. It was a package deal: "If you want the 850, you have to take this 750 with it...neither run and the 750 ain't all there." Frankly, neither was he.

There are others in the stable. the whole collection is:
1982 GS750L not all there. This one was being made into a bobber when the owner gave up on it. I got it as a package and used the engine to restore another GS750T that had thrown a rod. I sold the "T" butI still have that engine if anyone wants it.

1982 GS850G. I got this one running OK, but it's pretty dog ugly. Needs a new paint scheme. Black with flames isn't doing it for me anymore.

1983 GS850GL with killer paint, but won't spark. It's the one in question above.

1982 GS850GL soon to be parts bike. It was a mutt with several different years and models cobbled together. This one belongs to my 14 yr old to learn how to mess with and hopefully fix motorcycles. Anybody need any parts?

2003 Savage, belongs to the 14 yr old to ride

2006 DL 650...My Wee-strom, I love it. Gets me around town quick and easy.

2007 C50. Belongs to my wife unless I can get it away from her, which never happens. Found this thing on Craigslist with 250 miles on it in showroom condition for less than the guy owed on it! I love a good deal.

Thanks again to everyone for your help.