85' GS700 Won't start

[geozukigti]

I picked up an 85' GS700 a while back, but haven't had much luck making it run. I pulled the carbs, and had them professionally rebuilt(for my lack of experience with carbs, and lack of time to mess with them). Before, I could get it to run, but it ran like butt. Now, I can't even get it to start. It runs with starting fluid sprayed in, but that's it. My main issue, it's not stock

Vance & Hines pod filters
Vance & Hines 4-1 header
drilled slides
Accel coils
and I'm assuming the previous owner re-jetted the carbs

What I've done so far
rebuilt carbs
made sure the carb boots and filters were on tight, and sealing(no cracks)
drained the gas in the tank, and put fresh fuel in it
made sure the headers weren't leaking anywhere
new plug wires
replaced battery


I know the engine is firing, I can hear a faint popping from the exhaust when the engine is choked. The popping goes away if I twist the throttle while starting. When it's started with starting fluid, it runs, and just suddenly dies. No kind of fading of power, it just falls on it's face.

I think the shop might have set the carbs to factory specs, and ignored the fact that it was re-jetted, and had pod filters attached to them. Any tips on what to adjust to get this bad boy going? Also, if you could describe what all these screws are on the carbs and what they do, I might be able to figure it out myself too I'm good with engines, I just have no idea what screw adjusts what on these carbs.

Thanks guys!

[catbed]

it should at least start on choke. dont use starting fluid. try turning the pilot screws out some more. get more fuel in.

edit: where are you from, someone might lend a hand if you are close.

[lhanscom]

Check to see if your petcock is flowing fuel. I've had the prime function fail before, but the vacuum function still works, just disconnect the fuel line to test it, if prime doesn't work, try sucking on the vac line.

[Macmatic]

Did you check the o-rings between the intake boots and head? They are prone to cracking and leaking over time. PM me with your address if you need a set and I'll mail some out to you... I seem to have a few too many these days...

/\/\ac

[robertbarr]

Get a white rag handy, hold it underneath a carb bowl, and open its drain screw. Observe the quantity and quality of the fuel that drains out. Repeat with the remaining three carbs.

This should tell you a great deal about a sensible course of action.

[geozukigti]

Thanks guys. There is fuel in the float bowls, I did check that. I set it to RES to fill them before attempting to start it. The prime is functioning fine. It ran before, and I drove it around. Also, I left it in prime, and let the fuel hose hang into a bucket, and when I hit the start button, fuel flows out great.

Are the pilot screws behind the filters? Or are those the screws on the backside/top of the carbs?

I'll double check the intake boot, but I'm 99.999% sure it's fine. As a matter of fact, I think it's pretty new. I'll keep ya in mind Mac, and thanks!

And I live in Livonia, MI. A few miles outside of Detroit. Far enough not to be shot at on a daily basis :grin: haha

[lhanscom]

If it's in prime, fuel should flow all the time, otherwise, it's not working properly. It will fill the carbs slowly as you crank the engine, but it will take a while for the fuel level to get high enough for the engine to start.

Here's the mixture (aka pilot, idle) screw, CW = Leaner, CCW = Richer


The O-Rings being referred to are between the head, and the intake boots, you can't see their condition without removing the screws holding the intake boots to the head. O-rings are cheap, removing the screws is a real PITA, so if you're going to take them off, just replace the o-rings. Also be sure to replace the screws with something better, I usually use allen head cap screws, cause those phillip head screws usually don't even work the first time thru.

[Smokinapankake]

I had all sorts of trouble geting my 84 Katana 750 to start after a carb clean, and after much wailing and gnashing of teeth it came down to the fact that the idle adjustment screw was backed off too far, effectively closing off all flow thru the carbs into the head. (My own fault) Might want to take a look at that as well, considering someone else cleaned your carbs and therefore you really don't know what they did do....

[geozukigti]

I've messed with the idle adjust quite a bit, with no luck And thanks for the pic of idle jet screw I'll take a look at that when I get home. I must have had it in "run" or whatever the mode is called when it uses the vacuum to open the petcock valve. Mine's been painted over, so there's no words on the valve anymore

[Bon02001]

I was wondering what came of this. I have a 1980 GS850l and it is doing the exact same thing. I even had it running fine. But then it just went. It started with starting fluid. I just bought the bike. The guy said the stator went out and it was running great other than that. Replaced the stator and now it wont start at all.

Please help!!!