Check the plugs!

[Ohioan]

'82 GS1100 GL, VandH421, k&n filter,Fuel mixture screws out 2.5 turns.

I benched synched the carbs and slapped them on the bike. I let it idle for about 5 minutes, then shut it down and pulled the plugs.

plugs 1 and 4 looked good, nice and brown.

plugs 2 and 3 were white, and when I pulled them, steam or smoke of some sort wafted out of the cylinder. I thought maybe my coil went bad, so I switched wires the wires around so the other coil was on cylinders 2 and 3. Same thing. So, it's not the coil.

The bike was running well enough that I was able to get her out and ride and around. I rode about 12 miles. I did not "chop" it. just normal riding.

When I pulled the plugs 1 and 4 were still lookin' good. 2 and 3 were brown, except for the tip, which was white.
The bike idles rough, 1/4 throttle is rough, and then you can feel the engine surge and really pull strong from 1/4 through 1/2 and up. (I don't run much beyond 1/2 throttle)

So, am I correct in thinking that 2 and 3 are running lean in the low throttle circuit?

So that would be fuel mixture screw correct? Turn it out a 1/4 turn at a time?

[1_v8_merc]

Your not running an external fuel filter or anything that would restrict the fuel flow are you?
(just asking, because I had plug inconsistencies when I was running a secondary filter.)

Did this problem just start out of nowhere, or after you installed the V&H or K&N?
(because both of those mods may require some tweaking......as most people on here say they have to play with the mixtures after installation.)

[bwringer]

Are the intake boots and o-rings new?

Cracked o-rings always show up on 2 & 3 first -- they're in the middle and get hotter.

[Guest]

Check the jets to make sure they are all the same. No kidding, seen it.

[Calvin Blackmore]

did the oem jets richen the inner cylinders?
95 to 102.5 for mine
if I recall