Gremlins? Can't get my bike to run. Fuel issue??

[devauxr]

Hello all i'm here with another question. I have a 1980 gs850 and for the life of me i can not get this thing to run. I've just rebuilt the Engine Carbs and everything else on the bike as well as put on a new Petcock. The bike is getting plenty of spark and gas is in the float bowls but it's not getting gas in the cylinders. I can't really think of anything that could be the issue, anyone have any suggestions? It could be the jets but wouldn't the all have to be clogged in order for the bike not to run at all?

Any help would seriously be appreciated as i'm moving in less then 2 days and this and packing are the last 2 things I have to do. I've not been procrastinating i've been working on this thing for weeks and i'm about pulling my hair out.

[Nessism]

http://www.thegsresources.com/gs_carbrebuild.htm

cycleorings.com

[chef1366]

Do you have compression? What did you do to rebuild the carbs?

[BassCliff]

Just do it!

Hi Mr. devauxr,

Perhaps you've already seen these, but I'll say it again. Do all the work, correctly, up front, and don't go chasing a bunch of little frustrating problems. There's plenty of information here, but very few shortcuts.

In addition to the carb rebuild series, I recommend visiting the In The Garage section via the GSR Homepage and check out the Stator Papers. There's also a lot of great information in the Old Q&A section. I have some documentation on my little BikeCliff website to help get you familiar with doing routine maintenance tasks (note that it is 850G-specific but many tasks are common to all GS bikes). Other "user contributed" informational sites include those of Mr. bwringer, Mr. tfb and Mr. robertbarr. And if your bike uses shims for valve adjustments, send an email to Mr. Steve requesting a copy of his Excel spreadsheet that helps you keep track of clearances, shim sizes and other service work.

These are some edited quotes from one of our dear beloved gurus, Mr. bwringer, with ideas on basic needs (depending on initial condition), parts, and accessories.

***********Quoted from Mr. bwringer************
Every GS850 [and most other models] has (or had) a set of well-known issues that MUST be addressed before you have a solid baseline for further troubleshooting. It's a vintage bike, and it's quite common (as in, every single GS850 I have had contact with) that there are multiple problems that have crept up and slowly gotten worse over the years. It's not like a newer vehicle, where there's generally one problem at a time.

These common issues are:

1. Intake O-rings (install NEW OEM or Viton only - common nitrile O-rings will quickly deteriorate from heat)
2. Intake Boots (install NEW -- these cannot be repaired)
3. Valve clearances (more important than most people think)
4. Carb/airbox boots
5. Airbox sealing
6. Air filter sealing
7. Petcock (install a NEW one)
8. On '79 models, install new points or Dyna electronic ignition (or at least verify that the old points are working correctly)
9. On all models, it's fairly common to have problems with the spark plug caps. These are $3 or $4 each, and often worth replacing if you're keeping the stock coils/wires.
10. Stock exhaust with NO leaks or holes -- good seals at the head and at the junctions underneath.

Carburetor maintenance:

Replace the intake boot o-rings, and possibly the intake boots. Here's the procedure:

http://bwringer.com/gs/intakeorings.html

Here's an overview of what happens with this particular problem:

http://cycleorings.com/intake.html

You'll also want to examine the boots between the carbs and the airbox. There's a good chance these are OK, but check them over.
And finally, if things still aren't exactly right, you'll want to order a set of o-rings for BS carbs from the GS owner's best friend, Robert Barr:
http://cycleorings.com
Once you receive these rare rings of delight, then you'll want to thoroughly clean and rebuild your carburetors. Here are step-by-step instructions that make this simple:

http://thegsresources.com/gs_carbrebuild.htm

************************

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[devauxr]

I have good compression I think it's the carb's. I rebuilt them not as thoroughly as the link on this site shows i should have which looking back on it was a silly mistake. I replaced all the hardware in the carb's and let them soak but didn't clean out those vent tube fittings and replace those o rings, so now that i'm on a time constraint i'm kicking myself.

One thing i'm thinking could be causing issue is that i painted the tank and some paint got on the inside of the tank. Perhaps the gas ate away at the paint and it's now clogging up my jets. Either way I have to take those darn carbs apart again.

4. Carb/airbox boots <--- I highly recommend this one to anyone, it's soooo not worth messing with those old ones. I got new ones and installation time went from a half hour to about 2 minutes.

[devauxr]

so i haven't had a chance to redo the carbs again yet but i think i found one of my problems, i didn't put that snorkel looking thing on the back of my airbox back in so there's basically a big open hole in the back of my airbox. Score one for cleaning out the garage!

[reddirtrider]

so i haven't had a chance to redo the carbs again yet but i think i found one of my problems, i didn't put that snorkel looking thing on the back of my airbox back in so there's basically a big open hole in the back of my airbox. Score one for cleaning out the garage!

I doubt that's your problem.

You say you didn't replace the o-rings under the mixture screws. Did you at least remove the mixture screws, then blow out those passages, when you cleaned the carbs?

[Big T]

If you have gas in the carbs, but none in the cylinders, by definition your carbs are plugged.

Many,many members here have gone thru the same thing until they did the full and complete cleaning shown on the carb cleaning page.

It's crucial to proper running that you put new O rings in the carbs and between the boots and the heads (Just to get ahead of your next post, My bike starts now,but runs like crap)

Another issue may be the "new hardware" you mentioned. What exactly did you replace?

Carbs generally just need a good cleaning, new O rings and a gasket or two.

Carb rebuild kits typically get you inferior parts that cause problems.

[devauxr]

If you have gas in the carbs, but none in the cylinders, by definition your carbs are plugged.

Many,many members here have gone thru the same thing until they did the full and complete cleaning shown on the carb cleaning page.

It's crucial to proper running that you put new O rings in the carbs and between the boots and the heads (Just to get ahead of your next post, My bike starts now,but runs like crap)

Another issue may be the "new hardware" you mentioned. What exactly did you replace?

Carbs generally just need a good cleaning, new O rings and a gasket or two.

Carb rebuild kits typically get you inferior parts that cause problems.

No i understand that that's not the underlying problem and I am going to take the carbs fully apart and clean them i'm just saying that I found that part right before i moved which is better i found it now then to have realized i lost it later. Something to bring a small smile to my face for now until I get settled in my new place and can find time to take those carbs apart.

[BassCliff]

Don't you just love moving?


NOT!

I wish you well in your new home. Keep us informed.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[devauxr]

Thanks Basscliff. It really does suck especially now that i'm going to have to find some place to work on my bike as i've sacrificed my garage for an apartment complex. And as much as moving sucks moving from New York to North Carolina is that much worse. Keep you guys updated though.

Anyone live in NC out of curiosity?