Looking for help or someone to work on my '82 GS850G. AKRON-KENT OHIO

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  • pickleson
    • Jan 2026
    #1

    Looking for help or someone to work on my '82 GS850G. AKRON-KENT OHIO

    Hey guys,

    I'm relatively new here, and this might be the wrong thread for this, but I've had the worst issues since I've gotten my 850G a couple months ago and I'm looking for help. $1200 down and $800 invested in tune up, carb clean and new tires and it's running terribly after my 800mile trip to and back from NYC.

    My problem now is that the bike is missing at all speeds, it burns oil, and begins to smoke at a sitting warmup after 20 minutes. I'm teetering on the edge of just selling it as I'm a student and having the time to work on it is slimming substantially. I miss the way it ran when I first got it, but I'm okay with investing in something new as well.

    I'd be willing to pay cash for help or if someone would like to work on it as a side project, that's fine too! I don't expect I can get much out of it as it isn't the prettiest, but if someone can make it work right for less than a bike shop, I'd throw some $$$ your way.

    Best,

    -Pickleson (Dylan)
    Tags: None
    • tom203
      Forum Guru
      Past Site Supporter
      • Aug 2010
      • 8925
      • Norway,Maine
      #2
      "$800 invested in tune up"

      With an old bike, best to do this work yourself or be fleeced! Have you see Basscliff's info warehouse??

      http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/


      I'll wildly guess that your petcock failed you (it was running ok you said )and is dumping gas into your crankcase causing all sorts of fun. You need to immerse yourself into maintenance- pretend it's a required course!
      1981 gs650L

      "We are all born ignorant, but you have to work hard to stay stupid" Ben Franklin

        Comment

        • chuck hahn
          Forum LongTimer
          Past Site Supporter
          • May 2009
          • 25918
          • Norman, Oklahoma
          #3
          What do you mean by this....begins to smoke at a sitting warm up after 20 minutes. You mean your starting it and letting it idle for 20 minutes or you ride it for 20 minutes and THEN it starts to smoke???
          MY BIKES..1977 GS 750 B, 1978 GS 1000 C (X2)
          1978 GS 1000 E, 1979 GS 1000 S, 1973 Yamaha TX 750, 1977 Kawasaki KZ 650B1, 1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing, 1983 CB 650SC Nighthawk, 1972 Honda CB 350K4, 74 Honda CB550

          NEVER SNEAK UP ON A SLEEPING DOG..NOT EVEN YOUR OWN.


          I would rather trust my bike to a "QUACK" that KNOWS how to fix it rather than a book worm that THINKS HE KNOWS how to fix it.

            Comment

            • pickleson
              #4
              I wish I had the time for maintenance right now! UGH the pains of being in college and working full time.

                Comment

                • pickleson
                  #5
                  Originally posted by chuck hahn
                  What do you mean by this....begins to smoke at a sitting warm up after 20 minutes. You mean your starting it and letting it idle for 20 minutes or you ride it for 20 minutes and THEN it starts to smoke???
                  It will idling and then start to smoke from the top of the engine.

                    Comment

                    • chuck hahn
                      Forum LongTimer
                      Past Site Supporter
                      • May 2009
                      • 25918
                      • Norman, Oklahoma
                      #6
                      Well its an AIR COOLED ENGINE!!!! Do you have fans blowing on high into the front of the engine as its idling?? If not your over heating the engine and all the crud thats in between the fins is starting to smoke from the heat.

                      If you DO have fans on it and its still doing it, I would first agressively degrease and power wash the engine to be sure its not crap burning off. Then see what it does again with fans going.

                      Is the engine clattering or otherwise giving signals youve heat damaged it yet???
                      MY BIKES..1977 GS 750 B, 1978 GS 1000 C (X2)
                      1978 GS 1000 E, 1979 GS 1000 S, 1973 Yamaha TX 750, 1977 Kawasaki KZ 650B1, 1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing, 1983 CB 650SC Nighthawk, 1972 Honda CB 350K4, 74 Honda CB550

                      NEVER SNEAK UP ON A SLEEPING DOG..NOT EVEN YOUR OWN.


                      I would rather trust my bike to a "QUACK" that KNOWS how to fix it rather than a book worm that THINKS HE KNOWS how to fix it.

                        Comment

                        • pickleson
                          #7
                          Originally posted by chuck hahn
                          Well its an AIR COOLED ENGINE!!!! Do you have fans blowing on high into the front of the engine as its idling?? If not your over heating the engine and all the crud thats in between the fins is starting to smoke from the heat.

                          If you DO have fans on it and its still doing it, I would first agressively degrease and power wash the engine to be sure its not crap burning off. Then see what it does again with fans going.

                          Is the engine clattering or otherwise giving signals youve heat damaged it yet???
                          No fans, just letting the bike normally warm up. There is some putty from where the header meets the main engine block, which I can send a pic of (from previous dis-assembly work by previous owner. I guess my biggest issue is the missing of power and burning of oil. And by missing power I mean it feels like the bike barely works (rough idle, no power to go above 30mph). I cleaned the gas tank just last week and checked the petcock and its dispensing fuel properly, but I'm not sure if there's already too much in the crankshaft as wildly guessed by the fellow above.

                          I am really quite stumped and I am new to working on my own GS. I've stopped riding it completely until fixed.

                            Comment

                            • Steve
                              GS Whisperer
                              • Jun 2005
                              • 35924
                              • southwest oHIo
                              #8
                              Not sure how to tell you this, but a "normal" warm-up means:
                              1. Start the engine, modulate the "choke" to keep revs under 2500
                              2. As soon as engine speed is steady (about 10-15 seconds after start-up), put on helmet and gloves
                              3. Get on bike, RIDE.
                              4. About the time you are in third gear, turn "choke" off.

                              If this is not happening, your bike needs some maintenance and/or adjustments, and for SURE, the nut that holds the handlebar needs some adjustment, too.


                              There are some members up in your corner of oHIo, but if they can't/won't help you, see if you can find a way to get it to my corner of the state, it WILL get running.

                              .
                              sigpic
                              mine: 2000 Honda GoldWing GL1500SE and 1980 GS850G'K' "Junior"
                              hers: 1982 GS850GL - "Angel" and 1969 Suzuki T250 Scrambler
                              #1 son: 1986 Yamaha Venture Royale 1300 and 1982 GS650GL "Rat Bagger"
                              #2 son: 1980 GS1000G
                              Family Portrait
                              Siblings and Spouses
                              Mom's first ride
                              Want a copy of my valve adjust spreadsheet for your 2-valve per cylinder engine? Send me an e-mail request (not a PM)
                              (Click on my username in the upper-left corner for e-mail info.)

                                Comment

                                • pickleson
                                  #9
                                  Originally posted by Steve
                                  Not sure how to tell you this, but a "normal" warm-up means:
                                  1. Start the engine, modulate the "choke" to keep revs under 2500
                                  2. As soon as engine speed is steady (about 10-15 seconds after start-up), put on helmet and gloves
                                  3. Get on bike, RIDE.
                                  4. About the time you are in third gear, turn "choke" off.

                                  If this is not happening, your bike needs some maintenance and/or adjustments, and for SURE, the nut that holds the handlebar needs some adjustment, too.


                                  There are some members up in your corner of oHIo, but if they can't/won't help you, see if you can find a way to get it to my corner of the state, it WILL get running.

                                  .
                                  Lol thanks Steve. If I can't find someone around here, I might just venture down your way sometime soon!

                                    Comment

                                    • tom203
                                      Forum Guru
                                      Past Site Supporter
                                      • Aug 2010
                                      • 8925
                                      • Norway,Maine
                                      #10
                                      Maybe your petcock is not "dispensing fuel properly" -might not be blocking flow when engine is off (do you understand "PR " spot on petcock) or fuel could be dribbling down vacuum line . Get some clear vinyl tubing and stick on petcock vacuum fitting and suck- if you see fuel in this line, your petcock is no good.
                                      1981 gs650L

                                      "We are all born ignorant, but you have to work hard to stay stupid" Ben Franklin

                                        Comment

                                        • storm 64
                                          Forum Sage
                                          Past Site Supporter
                                          Super Site Supporter
                                          • May 2012
                                          • 4581
                                          • Youngstown,Ohio
                                          #11
                                          Hauling you motorcycle down to Steve's and leaving it with him for a week or two would be money well spent. Just be sure you clean it as best you can so Steve doesn't have to get to dirty...
                                          My Motorcycles:
                                          22 Kawasaki Z900 RS (Candy Tone Blue)
                                          22 BMW K1600GT (Probably been to a town near you)
                                          82 1100e Drag Bike (needs race engine)
                                          81 1100e Street Bike (with race engine)
                                          79 1000e (all original)
                                          82 850g (all original)
                                          80 KZ 650F (needs restored)

                                            Comment

                                            • pickleson
                                              #12
                                              Ahhh indeed the petcock is dispensing fuel when in RUN position when the bike it off. To me understanding, no fuel is supposed to run unless a vacuum is applied via the vacuum hose.

                                                Comment

                                                • pickleson
                                                  #13
                                                  Hopefully cleaning the petcock will work! Will do a full oil change and bleed the case empty and access damage afterwards.

                                                    Comment

                                                    • tom203
                                                      Forum Guru
                                                      Past Site Supporter
                                                      • Aug 2010
                                                      • 8925
                                                      • Norway,Maine
                                                      #14
                                                      Originally posted by pickleson
                                                      Hopefully cleaning the petcock will work! Will do a full oil change and bleed the case empty and access damage afterwards.
                                                      Clean the bike (for Steve), but skip trying to save 33 year old petcock - get new one and rule it out as a problem. Z1 enterprises or this Florida guy. $60

                                                      BRAND NEW SUZUKI GS300 GS450 GS550 GS650 GS750 GS850 GS1000 GS1100 PETCOCK
                                                      http://www.georgefixs.com/brand-new-suzuki-gs300-gs450-gs550-gs650-gs750-gs850-gs1000-gs1100-petcock/
                                                      1981 gs650L

                                                      "We are all born ignorant, but you have to work hard to stay stupid" Ben Franklin

                                                        Comment

                                                        • chuck hahn
                                                          Forum LongTimer
                                                          Past Site Supporter
                                                          • May 2009
                                                          • 25918
                                                          • Norman, Oklahoma
                                                          #15
                                                          As Tom said. Dont waste the time or money on trying to clean or rebuild a petcock..its a loosing situation. Replace it with new.
                                                          MY BIKES..1977 GS 750 B, 1978 GS 1000 C (X2)
                                                          1978 GS 1000 E, 1979 GS 1000 S, 1973 Yamaha TX 750, 1977 Kawasaki KZ 650B1, 1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing, 1983 CB 650SC Nighthawk, 1972 Honda CB 350K4, 74 Honda CB550

                                                          NEVER SNEAK UP ON A SLEEPING DOG..NOT EVEN YOUR OWN.


                                                          I would rather trust my bike to a "QUACK" that KNOWS how to fix it rather than a book worm that THINKS HE KNOWS how to fix it.

                                                            Comment

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