GS850 GL starting problem

[Anonymous]

I love my GS--when it's running! :roll:

Recently, my '80 GS850 had started running *really* bad, so I checked into it a bit, and compression on two cylinders had gotten a bit too low. So I sent the engine into my local shop for an overhaul.

Meanwhile, I did the carbs, with a set of Robert Barr's O-rings. Clean as a whistle, now, and looking good. I've got everything back together now.

But it just won't start without help! If I shoot starting fluid into it, it'll crank right up, and run like a top (I haven't synched the carbs yet, but the idle speed screw let me adjust it to about 1200 RPM, no sweat--so maybe the carbs aren't *too* far out of whack.). As soon as I kill it, it just refuses to restart. Shoot starting fluid in, and it cranks right up again.

Fuel petcock is fine, all eight boots (between air box and carbs, and carbs-intakes) are brand new. Engine compression is well within service limits now. Plugs are looking darkish tan after running for a bit, and air screws are 1 1/2 turns out.

Any clues? I'm ready to ride! :twisted:

--David

[daveo]

Are you using the choke?

[Anonymous]

My GFs 81 GS650GL has a similar problem. When cold outside, the bike won't start with or without choke unless it's shot with starter fluid. But, when the weather is mild, it starts right up with no fluid. I hope someone has an answer for you that may also apply to my girlfriend's bike.

[Anonymous]

Uhm...yah.

Are you using the choke?

yup. In lots of different positions--everything from all the way in, to "out just a taste", which makes the engine race like mad when it's running, to all the way out.

[daveo]

OK,Since it will start with the starting fluid, fire it up, set the idle air mixtures for smoothest idle, balance the carbs (at idle and 3000 rpm)and recheck or reset the idle mixtures for smoothness, could just be that they're not close enough yet, are valves adjusted good? VStan, your GFs bike sounds like it may need the rings done, check compression.

[Don Lobacz]

My first guess is that the coil voltage is diminished due to multiple electrical connections that are each a little corroded. To test this, run a jumper wire from the positive terminal to the hot side of the coils and see if it starts right up. My second guess is that you have plugged choke tubes/circuits coming from the carb bowls.

[Anonymous]

OK,Since it will start with the starting fluid, fire it up, set the idle air mixtures for smoothest idle, balance the carbs (at idle and 3000 rpm)and recheck or reset the idle mixtures for smoothness, could just be that they're not close enough yet, are valves adjusted good? VStan, your GFs bike sounds like it may need the rings done, check compression.

The valves were done by the shop that overhauled the engine; I'm happy enough with their work (their speed is another matter--don't get me started! )

Here's another oddity--Once started, last week, it was running like a top--no problems up to 5,000 RPM at all, very, very slight hesitation above that which cleared up after about a fifteen minute ride. But this morning, after the as-usual starting fluid start, it idles okay--just a little choppy--but has *no* power. Twist the throttle, and it stumbles, stammers, and pops a *lot*.

Ideas?