1980 GS850g won't idle anymore, possibly idle screw?

[s32k1]

I was at a light once a couple months ago and decided to lower my idle a bit. I reached under and turned the screw a bit and the bike just died. I started the bike again and turned the screw back to where it was but to no avail. The bike won't hold an idle anymore, and because of the idle issue everyone is too scared to buy it from me. How can I fix this without taking the carbs out? My hands are just too big to move around in there. Thanks!

[bwringer]

Sounds like you have an intake leak.

At the very least you need to replace the intake boot o-rings:

The problem:

http://cycleorings.com/intake.html

The solution:

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

Big fingers are no excuse -- lots of us here have bratwursts for fingers and we do OK...

[blizzard]

I can tell you bwringer has great stuff! I just purchased a complete set of o-rings from him and his organization and quality is top notch! If you need these parts than he is the one to buy it from. I will say that he is very helpful and his shipping is very fast!
Just a satisfied customer!
Bill

[chef1366]

The threads on those idle knobs are so fine that I've seen a few strip out.

[s32k1]

It wouldn't make sense that it was an intake leak. I have sealed my airbox already, and the EXACT instant that I turned the screw out, the bike stopped holding idle. I clearly set the idle too low but I was wondering if there is a way to fix this without taking out the carbs?

[chef1366]

Hey another Bako Bro. Where ya at?

[s32k1]

Hey another Bako Bro. Where ya at?

I'm actually in Chicago now I moved about 4 months ago. I did live in Stockdale Estates next to the Stockdale Country Club for a couple years. Where are you located?

[chef1366]

I'm the Chef at Stockdale Country Club.
I'm sure you heard me roar by on my hopped up 1100.

[s32k1]

I'm the Chef at Stockdale Country Club.
I'm sure you heard me roar by on my hopped up 1100.

You probably denied my application then as a line cook . I have been in a kitchen since 14 and moved back to Chicago to go back to culinary school.

[bwringer]

I can tell you bwringer has great stuff! I just purchased a complete set of o-rings from him and his organization and quality is top notch! If you need these parts than he is the one to buy it from. I will say that he is very helpful and his shipping is very fast!
Just a satisfied customer!
Bill

Actually, Robert Barr has the o-rings -- I'm just another satisfied customer.



Back to the original problem, if you feel that the threads on the idle adjuster have stripped out, you're going to have to remove the carbs to access the problem.

Even though you've sealed the airbox, there are many other places to have intake leaks besides the airbox, like the intake boots and o-rings.

Fortunately, on a shaftie, removing the carbs is dead easy. Ten minutes, max. Is there a GS-er in your neighborhood who can demonstrate?

[Poot]

your going to at least have to take your airbox + tank off so you can check the idle screw.....

If that seems fine (not stripped, working), its not a big deal to disconnect the throttle and choke cables and pull the carbs off for a better look see.



Does it hold idle if you help it with the throttle??

If it does, you should be able to check for an intake leak with a sprayer filled with water (I THINK thats the trick...or some have mentioned using quick start spray) and finely spray around the intake boots that are attached to the engine.

If there is a change in the steady rpm that you are holding at when you spray around the boots thoroughly, then you have an intake leak. You will have to spray thoroughly with water, and if you use quick start, not so thoroghly enough to get it sucked into the airbox (as that would probably change the idle, no?)


Just some ideas.....


good luck.


POOT

[robertbarr]

Unless you somehow know for sure that those intake O-rings are newer than five years, change them.

It might or might not solve this particular problem, but when you have intake leaks -- a near-certainty if the O-rings are old -- you will spend the rest of your ownership of this bike chasing your tail.

[s32k1]

I don't have anyone around that has a GS or any motorcycle for that matter. I am pretty mechanically savvy so I will try my hand at it and ask for help when I can't get it back together. Thanks!

[bwringer]

I don't have anyone around that has a GS or any motorcycle for that matter. I am pretty mechanically savvy so I will try my hand at it and ask for help when I can't get it back together. Thanks!

There are no motorcycle riders in southern California? Since when?


There are several GS riders in your area. But if you're moderately fair with a wrench, you'll figure it out pretty easily. You've got a great online support system here. Go for it!

[s32k1]

There are no motorcycle riders in southern California? Since when?


There are several GS riders in your area. But if you're moderately fair with a wrench, you'll figure it out pretty easily. You've got a great online support system here. Go for it!

I need to update my signature I actually moved back to the Chicago suburbs a few months back.