New 1980 GS850...Several Dumb Questions

[devildogGS850]

Just bought a 1980 GSS850....absolutely loving the hell out of it. The only minor problem I'm having so far is that she stalls out when idling unless I give her just a little bit of throttle. Obviously a surmountable problem in the short term but one I'd like to fix.

After the reading I've done in the forums thus far, I'm planning on the following steps....

1. Adjust idle screw.

2. Check air filter and airbox seals.

3. Clean carbs.

Step 3 scares the crap out of me! I've found the card cleaning pdf. file and read through it, but I've never been a mechanic. (Although I'd like to think I'm pretty good at following directions.)

I guess I have several questions...Are these the right steps to follow? What is the potential I have to screw up the carb cleaning process? How long am I looking at to clean the carbs (1-2 days?) and how much money would I save doing it myself instead of having it done at a shop?

I would really like the personal satisfaction of doing this myself, but I guess I want to make sure I'm not getting in over my head, and like I said other than that the one minor issue I'm having, she runs like a champ....at least I think she does, I don't really have a basis for comparison.

I really appreciate any and all feedback!

Thanks.

[mark]

Adjusting your idle may be all you need to do to fix your problem.

But aside from that, sealing the airbox is a part of routine maintenance. Intake manifold O-rings are also routine maintenance if they haven't been replaced up until this point. Other things you'll want to take care of since the bike is new to you are valve adjustments, oil changes in the engine and shaft drive. Valves clearances get SMALLER as wear happens, so don't wait until you hear something to check them. Making sure your ground from the battery box to the frame is good is important too. Make sure your brake fluids are at the correct level and clean.

Learn to do the carbs yourself. Unless you're lucky you won't find too many shops that will work on your carbs anymore, and you'll save tons doing the work yourself. Really it isn't that hard. You will need to buy a carb synch tool (about $40), float gaskets perhaps, some carb dip, and have access to compressed air.

You've got a good bike. With a few tools, a manual, you'll be on the right track.

[Steve]

I guess I have several questions...Are these the right steps to follow?

Yes. Check the idle speed first. If that does not work, I might reverse the other two steps.

What is the potential I have to screw up the carb cleaning process?

The potential for screwing it up is endless. Hwever, you said you are pretting good at following directions, so you should do fine.

How long am I looking at to clean the carbs (1-2 days?)

Depends on how dirty the carbs are and how thorough you want to be about it. How long has it been since the bike ran well? You might get by with opening up the carbs and spraying some cleaner around and putting it all back together. Time: about 3-4 hours.

If you have to dip the carbs, again, it depends on how thorough you want to be. The directions on the can say to dip for 15-30 minutes. I prefer to dip for 15-30 hours. I will remove the carbs from the bike and get one carb ready to dip on the first day. Second evening I will remove the first carb from the dip, re-assemble it, then get the second carb into the dip. Repeat as necessary. Time: about 5 days.

how much money would I save doing it myself instead of having it done at a shop?

You will come out a bit cheaper than the shop the first time. And that is only because you have to buy the tools and supplies. After that, you will just laugh at the difference. (On the other hand, if you ride the bike regularly and store it properly for winter, you might never have to do this again. 8-[)

Just guessing what the flat-rate manual might say, but probably 5-6 hours for a thorough going-through on the carbs.
At what, $60-75 per hour? That's $300-450.

Stuff you will need, besides the basic hand tools:
set of o-rings $30
can of carb dip $20
sync gauges $50
intake tubes (maybe) $80
several hours of time. How much are you worth?

In the end, you will also have the immense satisfaction of a job well-done. \\/


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[CA180]

In the end, you will also have the immense satisfaction of a job well-done. \\/


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What he said

[devildogGS850]

(On the other hand, if you ride the bike regularly and store it properly for winter, you might never have to do this again. 8-[)
.

Thanks for all of the good advice...I played with the idle speed a little today and although it solved the problem, I think its idling too high at a complete stop. I guess the next step is the carbs. By the way, I forgot to mention I'm in Arizona...what is this "winter" you speak of? :-D