GS1000 valve clearance problem

[NitroGS]

Extreme gratitude to you Keith for the in depth replies, been a great help. Looking forward to road testing. Not sure if you have a system in the USA, but because the bike has been off the road for 14 months we have a legal system in the UK where you have to declare that the bike will not be used on the highway, if caught, it is a $10,000 fine and imprisonment (you get less for murder). So it will be a trip to the Vehicle Licensing Office to get the new documents and a compulsory MOT done on the bike and then we are ready for legal road testing. Well at least for the pilot circuit and third throttle needle tests, and a quiet road for the full throttle test. With the full throttle test Keith, is it full throttle in any gear then chop. Have a good day Keith and speak soon.

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Just a brief note as I'm off to work.
I can only recommend a jetting procedure that's worked for me. I'm not saying there aren't other ways that will give accurate enough results. The DJ instuctions don't say anything about high speed testing but that's easy to understand because they don't want to get sued. They do mention some quicker tests where you open up the throttle at various amounts in the lower gears.
I'm trying to operate the bike on the various jetting circuits to see how each is mixing, and then I can accurately judge performance and then check the plugs. I like to spend a little time at each circuit under several conditions (level/uphill, higher rpm/lower rpm, steady speed/roll on, hard accelerating, etc) before I make a decision. I can't see myself making a decision any other way.
I don't want to test the needles and mains at say, 3rd gear, because I don't want to redline the bike.
Hope this helps. I have to go. Will try to check in later today.

[NitroGS]

Hi Keith,

Just to put you in the picture. Got the allen head screws for the float bowls eventually (after being sent the wrong size again). Sealed the bowls with a small amount of blue Hylomar. Just awaiting a new throttle twisttube and then it is going straight for a MOT, then road testing. Got all the bodywork back. Picture at http://www.minimotos4u.com/gs1000.htm what do you think my friend.

regards
Dave

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Your bike looks great! Lots of work put into her.
I was starting to wonder where you went. I've been busy lately too and haven't posted much. My trusty Black Beauty decided she wanted a new starter clutch. Rode around happy for a few weeks and now I just found out she wants a new stator too. I wish I'd known. Now I have to take off the same cover and there goes my new gasket.
Oh well, that's the price of love.

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Bumping this up. Are you still there? Still looking for a throttle tube?

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Anyone know Dave? We were working on this and it looks like he just disappeared. He didn't seem like a "hit and run" guy...get the info and go.
Hope he's OK.:-?

[NitroGS]

Hi Keith,

Sorry about the dispearance. I am just on the mend from a serious illness. I have actually just started working back on the bike this afternoon. After a long wait and some much appreciated help from our forum members I have managed to obtain the illusive throttle tube. I didn't know there were so many different versions of one simple item. The bike will be going in for its MOT very shortly (then it will be legal) and then it is all systems go on the testing. I did manage to sneak a go around the block and it seemed on first impressions to be lethargic and somewhat flat when on the gas from low revs. But I didn't want to attract too much attention until the bike is legal. Will be in touch shortly.

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Good to hear from you. I figured something happened. Glad you're feeling better!
I don't know if I'd be too concerned about the quick run around the block. I'm guessing the bike hasn't run for a month??
If there is anything showing behind that quick run, then it may be rich related? I really doubt you'd see any lean issues on the jet needle or main circuits with the current jetting. Pilot circuit maybe, but nothing the screws couldn't help. As I said earlier, your climate concerned me and how it would work with my jetting suggestions. But I'm still sticking with what works most often, no better starting point than that. Could even be a tad too much oil on the filters (which may clear itself)?
Hopefully the other parts of the bike are all working right. I never did like those '80 model petcocks for one.
Again, glad you're better and will stay tuned.

[NitroGS]

Hi Keith

Great news the GS sailed through its MOT and got the tax this evening, so we are now legal. Hoping to get down to some testing runs tomorrow if the weather allows. Will give you some feedback. This is just the tonic to cheers us up:-D

[KEITH KRAUSE]

That's good news! Be careful when hi-speed testing.
I always feel funny telling people how to road test each jetting circuit but without a Dyno it's the only way. Be careful!

[NitroGS]

Hi Keith

Just to let you know the weather has unfortunately been very wet here so still waiting to play my friend.

regards
Dave

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Allright. Besides the safety factor, that kind of humidity really richens the actual mixture and you can't accurately judge performance.

[KEITH KRAUSE]

If you're still around, just wondering how things are going.
Hope you aren't having health problems again.

[NitroGS]

Apologises

Hello Keith

Firstly I hope you have had a Good Christmas and I wish you all the best for the New Year.
I want to apologise for the lengthy time with no communications. I am afraid that I came back to early from my health problems with the eagerness to get GS totally sorted. I have now made a 90% recovery and as soon as the weather over here gets warmer (its 1 degree at the moment), I will be up and running. I did manage to get a short blast on the GS, did 2 miles at 40mph in top gear and checked plugs all were black. Still seems abit sluggish on roll on. Looking forward to the warmer weather. In one of your earlier posts Keith you mention oiling the K&N filter, presumably this is already done when purchased new. How often do you need to do this please. Look forward to speaking with you shortly.

kind regards
Dave

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Welcome back Dave, glad you're OK!:-D
I figured something serious was going on and just hoped for the best. I hope your Christmas and Holidays were otherwise good.
That result after the little blast (as you described) would most likely be pilot circuit related. If the bike is in otherwise good tune I'd have to blame the pilot fuel screws and/or side air screws adjustments for any rich plugs, especially knowing the pilot jets are stock and I assume the float levels are within the .090 to .098" range.
Of course, the bike must be FULLY warmed up before testing/getting reads.
Over oiling the K&N's is easy but if they came to you a decent RED color as new, they should be oiled correctly. K&N actually claims the dirtier they get (to a certain degree) the better they clean. I don't know, but under normal conditions I average servicing maybe once every 1 1/2 to 2 years to clean and re-oil. Mine just don't accumulate much dirt and my cleaning tray shows very little grit after cleaning. Almost seems like a waste of time.
I once called and once e-mailed K&N asking how do you know when to clean and both times they were kind of vague with their answer. So I just came up with a schedule that works for me.
The important thing is to clean them correctly. I roll/dip my pods in approx' 1/4" deep of cleaner (K&N filter cleaner or you can use a diluted mild solution of 409 or similar and water). I try to swirl the pods around and keep the cleaner from running inside the filter too much. Once cleaned, I rinse from the INSIDE-OUT only and with only LOW pressure water. AIR DRY only, no blow dryers, etc. If you rinse in the other direction or use higher pressure water you will compromise the filters ability to flow and filter as designed.
Back to jetting, I earlier stated that I have little experience with jetting for your climate/conditions and can only guess as to how much richer your bike MAY run if jetting exactly as what has worked for the majority of 1000's with your mods, including my bike, several friends and at least one current member here, Renobruce's bike. Bruce's bike runs at 5,000 ft elevation and runs well he says with the 138 main and jet needle e-clip at position 4 from the top (he also has the stage 3 DJ kit). I always try to guess the right adjustment first but if anything, I go richer and work my way back. I see no obvious reason why your bike can't handle these same adjustments, though your climate may factor in richer than expected. "Sluggish" as you described is usually a rich related symptom but as I said, the bike must be fully warmed up before testing. Also, most bikes don't run very cleanly at first if they've been sitting awhile and that factors in too. We'll see after further testing at specific throttle positions that will tell what the bike is doing on each jetting circuit.
Again, glad you're doing better and just take care of yourself first. As you can see, I'm here to help if I can.
By the way, just in case you have a question, I'll be out in the garage most of today and may not respond soon. I bought a new '07 ZX14 and I'm still tinkering with it.:-D That's the reason I haven't been around here as much lately.