HELP! won't idle w/right plug removed

[sanozz]

1986 gs450l
adjusted valves @ 2000 miles ago
carbs cleaned about the same time
- I'm investigating weak compression from the left side. symptoms include smoke from left pipe, not a lot, & only at idle. when I raise the idle & remove the left plug cap, she will stay running just fine. with the right plug cap removed, she won't idle no matter how much gas I give. both plugs appear good, a slight brown. the left side does have spark. while riding it seems strong, and at high rpm both cylinders are working well. recently I've been fiddling with the carb mixture screws and now it seems like no matter where they sit I've got a slow return to idle. it won't really return to idle until I've come to a stop.

so there's something amiss on the left side & I don't know where to start. thanks in advance for any advice. I ride this bike every day.

- Brett in seattle

[tom203]

Your right side cylinder ain't doing it's fair share! Since you got spark, suspect carb problem- the idle circuit probably did not get fully cleaned and can't keep motor running all by its lonesome.

[Guest]

Have you actually done a compression check ? what are the results?

[sanozz]

that does make sense. and when I cleaned the carbs, it was my first time & I wasn't as thorough as I should've been, i.e. didn't measure float height.

so the carbs come off tonight!

thx for your response!

[sanozz]

after cleaning the carbs I think she's back online

I get so nervous when I think about wrenching on this bike - I worry that I can't do it or ill **** something up but after I do it I feel like a master technician & enjoy this bike so much more. it rained earlier (it is seattle) & the roads are still wet but I gotta ride

...vroom, boys