1980 GS850GL kinda rebuilding one bolt at a time.

[Uncamitzi]

Carbs are apart. I have 1 non-functioning float valve needles no spring left. Ordered replacements Jets all removed and re-cleaned. 4-5 days to putter about on other sh*t. Also have fuse box cover coming (not sure where I lost the last one)

[Nessism]

Carbs are apart. I have 1 non-functioning float valve needles no spring left.

If you soak that float needle in carb spray (spray into a glass cup) the needle will come alive again. It's fouled with varnish.

[Steve]

I am concerned that the float valve didn't shut off the flow... shouldn't it have stopped the flow into the cylinder?

It should be noted that, for fuel to flow into the engine, you need to have TWO failures:
1. The petcock is either not shutting off properly or leaking past the diaphragm.
2. At least one of the float valves is not sealing or the o-ring(s) around the float valve(s) are leaking.

To check the petcock, run two hoses from the petcock into two separate containers. Glass jars work well. With the petcock in the RUN or REServe position, monitor the jars to see if there is any accumulation. If you don't see anything, you shouldn't have a problem, but it's still good to check the o-rings in the carbs.

.

[Uncamitzi]

If you soak that float needle in carb spray (spray into a glass cup) the needle will come alive again. It's fouled with varnish.

sand... I've ordered new float valve units... but I am soaking the float needles in carb cleaner.. the seats have a visible ring..but I can't feel a ridge... we'll see how these work and save the new units for the next rebuild...

[Uncamitzi]

It should be noted that, for fuel to flow into the engine, you need to have TWO failures:
1. The petcock is either not shutting off properly or leaking past the diaphragm.
2. At least one of the float valves is not sealing or the o-ring(s) around the float valve(s) are leaking.

To check the petcock, run two hoses from the petcock into two separate containers. Glass jars work well. With the petcock in the RUN or REServe position, monitor the jars to see if there is any accumulation. If you don't see anything, you shouldn't have a problem, but it's still good to check the o-rings in the carbs.

.

I'll test the petcock in the morning... I had to hose down the gas tank and the carbs.. The sand was in the petcock too.. I'm betting that cause both failures to allow the gas to fill the cylinder. Very little sand in the float bowls.. a few grains no layers...

[2BRacing]

I'll test the petcock in the morning... I had to hose down the gas tank and the carbs.. The sand was in the petcock too.. I'm betting that cause both failures to allow the gas to fill the cylinder. Very little sand in the float bowls.. a few grains no layers...

The filter screen on the petcock is very fine mesh. This should have prevented sand from getting into the petcock itself and carbs. Perhaps your petcock filter has a hole or tear in it?

[Uncamitzi]

The filter screen on the petcock is very fine mesh. This should have prevented sand from getting into the petcock itself and carbs. Perhaps your petcock filter has a hole or tear in it?

The media that got through was a fine almost talc like powder. There was actually very little in the filters on the fuel valves and negligible amount in the float bowls..

I am getting practiced in opening up the carbs though, along with a sorting box to keep the parts wrangled and a clean workbench from contaminating the cleaned items has made a huge difference on the third go around.
sigh.

[Uncamitzi]

Petcock fail... new Petcock ordered... that's the 3rd one... sigh

[Uncamitzi]

4 new fuel valve assemblies arrived today.

Along with used fuse box from an GS850g which is in pretty good shape with the exception of some cracked insulation on wiring.

While I ordered a new Petcock.. I've also disassembled one of my older ones... they don't look all that complicated with the exception of the vacuum check valve on the top.. keep in mind that this is the vacuum petcock that simply has the Pri Fuel switch with a small opening for a slot screwdriver.

[Uncamitzi]

Things to get used to after carb cleaning/rebuild valve adjustment and general maintenance.
#! I can see things in my mirrors
#2 I don't have variable idle anymore
#3 I can go much further on a tank of gas
#4 No backfiring when coming down a hill

These things won't be HARD to get used to.... but in 8 years of riding it's kinda like riding a different bike.

[Uncamitzi]

Some things I've noticed while riding after the carb tune up (that is still in progress) I rarely turn my wrist more than 1/4 a turn on the throttle...even starting after an intersection. I had to be on a 80 mph freeway to open the throttle even 3/4 full.. Maybe I'm a pansy but I don't feel the need to dart about with a wide open throttle or revving the bike to make noise. I enjoy cruising at 40-60 mph.. and while cruising at 60 my throttle is only about 1/2 open.... SO... I've come to the conclusion the most of my problems are in the slow circuit... I will do some more work to diagnose performance..

[Uncamitzi]

Interesting discovery while I've been playing with the mixture screws... I found a frayed wire on the 12 volt wires leading to my coils that may have been causing intermittent firing of #1 and #4... So, I have replaced the connectors with my infamous waterproof marine connectors.. which I'm getting MUCH better at installing correctly the first time... (grin)

[Uncamitzi]

Coming up on 10 months since the last installment here. Some health problems slowed me down along with some electrical problems that I couldn't solve. Turned out that I had some faulty connections that were shorting out the trigger wires to the coils... Replaced coils, replaced wires, rechecked all connections and went for a ride today... Seems everything is working. Yay. I was going to document a lot more than I ended up taking pictures of. But I have learned a bunch about my troubleshooting skills. But a good ride (first in a long time) was fun....

[Uncamitzi]

sigh. Finally got over 38mpg ...but while riding home after 200 miles it started coughing and sputtering... limped home and it's only firing on 3 cyl. did the old take of each spark plug check, and the one that's missing is #1. Checked compression 122 PSI (within 5 PSI of the other 3) spark plug is wet but is sparking.... ... sigh

[Uncamitzi]

Has anyone every had a sparkplug break/quit working in mid ride? Swapped out the #1 plug with a cleaned used one I had around and everything is great. Finally getting about 42mpg on my ride today.. First time it's been that good in 8 years. Thanks for everyone's help on this.