4-1 exhaust, not sure about the airbox

[waldo877]

Hello,

The bike I just got has a 4-1 exhaust, and the bike chokes up around 5,000. My question is about the airbox. Am I better off going with pods now, or should I keep the airbox stock? Also, the plugs. Stock plugs still?

[rapidray]

You need to give us more info. Like WHAT bike is it?!!! Ray.

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. waldo877,

I looked at one of your old threads. It seems you have an GS850GL but we don't know what year. When you get a chance, add location information to your profile (just the state is OK) in case other GSR members are near enough to ride and wrench with. Also add your bike to your signature file so that we'll know what we're talking about.

It's not necessary to add pod filters just because you have a 4-n-1 exhaust. Pod filters can make your carbs difficult to dial in unless you have lots of experience or even more time. A Dynojet Stage 3 kit can help. I would work with what I have first and get it running good, then think about more mods. In other words, start with a baseline. This will be explained in my "welcome thang"...

Here is your very own magical, mystical, mythical, mind-expanding "mega-welcome". Please take notice of the "Top 10 Common Issues", the Carb Rebuild Series, and the Stator Papers. Now let me roll out the welcome mat for you...

Please click here for your mega-welcome, chock full of tips, suggestions, links to vendors, and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I've been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. Don't forget, we like pictures! Not you, your bike!

Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[waldo877]

I apologize for not giving some more info. I've been spending my time researching things mostly, as I'm definitely new to GS's. The bike is an '81 GS850GL, or L, I'm not even sure. I can't find an 850L, only GL's are listed on sites such as KBB or dennis kirk.

I'll throw some pictures up as soon as I get home from work. The problem is, I have no clue if the bike has been jetted or not. I'm located in Henniker, NH.

[Larry D]

I apologize for not giving some more info. I've been spending my time researching things mostly, as I'm definitely new to GS's. The bike is an '81 GS850GL, or L, I'm not even sure. I can't find an 850L, only GL's are listed on sites such as KBB or dennis kirk.

I'll throw some pictures up as soon as I get home from work. The problem is, I have no clue if the bike has been jetted or not. I'm located in Henniker, NH.

All 850's are "G's" which means shaft drive. It can also be an "L" which is leading froward axle, step seat, chrome is places most don't have and the infamous buckhorn handlebars.

From what I understand the 850's are more difficult than most models to jet correctly with pods. I would keep the airbox and pull the carbs and verify exactly what jets are in there now. Put it as close to stock as you can for less headaches.

[waldo877]

Awesome! Thanks for the tips. I only have one last un-related question for now. The tank paint is terrible, so I want to rattle-can it for now until I can get a new un-dented one. The badges are also bent in. Now, the badges on the tank, where they screw in, does that screw go to the inside of the tank? If not, then I am OK to unscrew them and just paint over the holes correct?

[Larry D]

Awesome! Thanks for the tips. I only have one last un-related question for now. The tank paint is terrible, so I want to rattle-can it for now until I can get a new un-dented one. The badges are also bent in. Now, the badges on the tank, where they screw in, does that screw go to the inside of the tank? If not, then I am OK to unscrew them and just paint over the holes correct?

That's funny....I asked the same question when I first got here.

No, the screws don't go through the tank. Unscrew them and paint away !! If you're going to put the badges back on at some point and repair the tank, you may want to find some little bolts of the same size and put in there while your painting. Don't want paint down in those threads.

[waldo877]

Yeah, normally i'd take care not to gum up the threads, but when you see pictures, you'll find out just how ratty this tank is. The badges are all dented and worn out, so i'm just going to give it a flat black paint job. Thanks!

Edit: So I didn't think i'd have to ask ANOTHER question. But here goes. the Switch for the front brake isn't connected at all (need a new MC reservoir.) The read brake is hooked up, but the light doesn't go on. Now my question is, are there two bulbs? Because the brake light is on when the ignition is on, but I can't tell if maybe the brake light is ALWAYS on, or if the bulb is blown etc etc. I also figured maybe its one circuit, so the front not being connected may interfere with the rear?

[waldo877]

Anyone know anything about the lighting system for the brakes?

[propflux01]

You can get universal aftermarket M/C on EBAY. They use a Honda-type brake light switch, but will mod up to the GS. The rear tail/brake light consists of one bulb with 2 filaments. one is for the always-on tail light, the other is for the brake. Remove your lens and see if both filaments are lit when you turn on the ignition. If they are, you have a short somewhere, if not, time to chase wires and check the rear brake switch to ensure it is working.

[Larry D]

waldo877, it is highly recommended to go through the entire wiring harness from the headlight bucket to the taillight and clean and/or replace every connection.
One of the biggest troubles with our old......uhmmm, errrrr.....vintage bikes is the wiring connection become corroded over time and tax the charging system to it's limit causing all kinds of unnecessary problems.

[waldo877]

Awesome, thank you! Pulled the light, looks like one of the filaments is junk. Its just a type D 12v lightbulb right?

[Larry D]

Awesome, thank you! Pulled the light, looks like one of the filaments is junk. Its just a type D 12v lightbulb right?

I guess. When I replaced mine I searched headlights or bulbs or something along those lines. There's about 100 jillion threads about headlights. Alot of folk go with Sylvania Silverstar bulbs. IIRC.

The search feature is in the upper right of each forum page.