GSX1100EZ - Purchased but does not go..

[Duke]

Hi,

I have purchased a stright looking GSX1100EZ which the owner said runs on three cykinders, he said he took it to a bike shop who told him it has a bent valve.

I got the bike cheap.

The bike turns over nicley and I did a compression check and all four pots are 120-125 PSI so reasonably happy with that... BUT would I get reading like this with a bent valve?

I took the head off and found that one of the in let valve adjuster nuts has come off and the screw thing has wound itself out considerably. Found the nut in the bottom by the valve spring...very pleased with that..!

My question is... with one inlet valve not opening as it should would the engine run on three cyclinders?

I am thinkng adjust the valve clerances.. add new head gaasket and new fuel and try starting it up.

thanks for your comments.

[JCSkokos]

I would imagine that a valve not opening would make it so no fuel/air got into the cylinder, creating a 'dead cylinder'....
One thing everyone here will tell you is when you first get the bike, you will want to clean the carbs, redo the o-rings, change oil, and do a valve adjustment check.

[Nessism]

Sounds like you wasted your time pulling the head. If the compression was good, why did you do that?

At any rate, now that it's off you should pull off the cylinder now and replace the base gasket as well. And while all that is apart you need to decide if you want to rering and replace the valve stem seals. Best to do the job right one time, instead of pulling the head several times, which is very expensive.

Regarding the bike not running, most likely it's related to neglect of basic maintenance. Go though the carbs, make sure there are no airleaks, make sure any mods are accompanied with carb rejetting as appropriate, adjust the valves, etc. All basic stuff for a 30 year old motorcycle.

Oh, and aftermarket gasket kits are a big risk, and OE gaskets are expensive. Ebay sometimes has OE gaskets for cheap.

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. Duke,

Did you pull the head or just remove the valve cover? Sure, it will run on three cylinders.

Anyway, let me dump a TON of information on you and share some GS lovin'.

I just stopped by to welcome you to the forum in my own, special way.

If there's anything you'd like to know about the Suzuki GS model bikes, and most others actually, you've come to the right place. There's a lot of knowledge and experience here in the community. Come on in and let me say "HOoooowwwDY!"....

Here is your very own magical, mystical, mythical, mind-expanding "mega-welcome". Please take notice of the "Top 10 Common Issues", "Top 15 Tips For GS Happiness", the Carb Cleanup Series, and the Stator Papers. All of these tasks must be addressed in order to have a safe, reliable machine. This is what NOT to do: Top 10 Newbie Mistakes. 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. I will put you on my prayer list.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[OLDENUFF]

If only 1 adjuster was off you should still have 1 intake valve opening. I would think that cylinder would still fire altho not as strong. If you have already pulled the head do as Nessism suggests.

[jwhelan65]

Going to have to go with Ed on this one, good compression I would think would lead me to look else where...

[Texasgs]

Probably a bad plug cap.

[Duke]

thanks for the replys... so to answer the head question..... I only pulled the tappet cover...!

Found the adjuster screw and nut and thought bingo im thinking..

I'll a new gasket, adjust the valves and see what happens..

Oh and thanks for the welcome.... assume