Open letter to the newbies...

[Nessism]

Please be descriptive with your titles. Many of the knowledgeable GSR members don't want to open the thread if they don't have a clue as to what you are trying to figure out. For example...

"lookn for a lot of help"

"carbs"

"warm or cold"


Also, there is a thing called the Search Function. Threads about adjusting valves or charging system problems come up all the time, search out some info before cluttering up the forum with another thread just like the other 100 similar threads.

Sorry to be so grumpy...well, not really sorry.

BTW, lots of us here to help you, but PLEASE help yourself first> Some of us don't want to spoon feed.

Keep going...

[Billy Ricks]

There's maybe four or five topics that consistently show up. Sometimes every other thread is the same question that with a little reading didn't need to be asked. I guess we do live in the age of instant gratification though. Even Frank doesn't appreciate the clutter because people won't research.

[Zooks]

Grumpy pants

[Nessism]

Topics that come up all the time...

What tires to get?

Why is my battery running down?

My bike that was parked for 10+ years doesn't run. Could it be the carbs?

How do I adjust my valves and does it need to be done?

Why is there air?

[beingblueeyes]

My bike that was parked for 10+ years doesn't run. Could it be the carbs?

Nessism I just wanted to let you know that this made me lol

[Larry D]

This is exactly why I push the new folks to clean and rebuild the carbs and adjust the valves especially if the history of the bike is unknown. More times than not, these two items must be addressed before the engine will run properly enough to diagnose any other issues the bike may be having.

Of course this isn't always the case. But if someone just got a bike from a guy who had in a shed for 10 years or some similiar circumstance..........carbs and valves.

Another thing, most of the new people don't understand that there are literally years of information archived in the search function. I've talked to several members who have completely rebuilt thier bike by simply reading. I'd like to see the search icon highlighted in some manner to help new members find this library of GS knowledge.

[posplayr]

Howwa bout

a DITY Search tutorial sticky .

Clever Idea would n't you say ;

I was looking for a post I found (not GSR) where the guy says the

"bike has been sitting for 22 years but the carbs were done recently 24 years ago."

Pos

[almarconi]

You forgot ...

What kind of oil should I use?

What kind of tires should I buy?

Do I really have to take the carbs apart?

[chef1366]

I'm having problems. After adjusting the valves. I thought I could get some more horsepower out of the ED if I put some different needle valves into the 1150 carbs. I was able to find some SU needles from my DATSUN roadster and since there were only two carburetors instead of the 4 on the ED, I filed them down some so they had a nice taper. They looked really good. Then I liked the idea of velocity stacks and since I needed to change pods anyway I found a nice pair on ebay. Problem is there were only 3 velocity stacks so I used a old funnel for the #4 carburetor cause I figure I do more right hand Turns than left. Also cause I was worried about getting dirt in the crabs I stuck some old socks in the stacks but I could only find two old socks without wholes. So now I'm wondering why my bike doesn't idle cause I have to set the idle at 3K RPM. Do you have any ideas. But don't tell me nothing cause I already know it all of course but any ideas are appreciated.

PS Maybe I should get a Dyna 4000. I can then adjust the ignition and put more advance to it. Og maybe my chain is loose. Oh yea, dont tell me; I'm checking my grounds as we speak

[maro]

and on top of all that your lakers are losing at the half....

I'm having problems. After adjusting the valves. I thought I could get some more horsepower out of the ED if I put some different needle valves into the 1150 carbs. I was able to find some SU needles from my DATSUN roadster and since there were only two carburetors instead of the 4 on the ED, I filed them down some so they had a nice taper. They looked really good. Then I liked the idea of velocity stacks and since I needed to change pods anyway I found a nice pair on ebay. Problem is there were only 3 velocity stacks so I used a old funnel for the #4 carburetor cause I figure I do more right hand Turns than left. Also cause I was worried about getting dirt in the crabs I stuck some old socks in the stacks but I could only find two old socks without wholes. So now I'm wondering why my bike doesn't idle cause I have to set the idle at 3K RPM. Do you have any ideas. But don't tell me nothing cause I already know it all of course but any ideas are appreciated.

PS Maybe I should get a Dyna 4000. I can then adjust the ignition and put more advance to it. Og maybe my chain is loose. Oh yea, dont tell me; I'm checking my grounds as we speak

[chef1366]

and on top of all that your lakers are losing at the half....

Wait 24 more minutes

[jwhelan65]

Who invented liquid soap and why?

[bwringer]

And don't forget -- "How can I stuff a humongous rear tire on my GS with a budget of fifty cents?"

Or: "I want to (do something abysmally stupid) to my GS because I saw these guys on a TV chopper show once and I thought (abysmally stupid thing) looked cool."

Or the one that really grates my cheese: "HELP! My GS850 is turning 6,000 rpm at 80mph and I'm afraid it's gonna blow up because it doesn't sound like my neighbor's Harley"

[BassCliff]

You can tell it's springtime.




Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Billy Ricks]

And don't forget -- "How can I stuff a humongous rear tire on my GS with a budget of fifty cents?"

Or: "I want to (do something abysmally stupid) to my GS because I saw these guys on a TV chopper show once and I thought (abysmally stupid thing) looked cool."

Or the one that really grates my cheese: "HELP! My GS850 is turning 6,000 rpm at 80mph and I'm afraid it's gonna blow up because it doesn't sound like my neighbor's Harley"

That all sounds way too familiar.