Hello! This is my first post to this forum. At the start of the summer, I bought a 1978 GS1000 that I am currently working on and will be rebuilding as a cafe racer type bike.
I paid $250. The bike has been sitting for about ten years and it has just over 19000 miles. My plan is to see if I can get it running, then strip it down, clean it thoroughly, paint it, and start working on the wheels, suspension, and cosmetic aspects of the bike.
Some photos:
When I first brought it home, I immediately did an oil change and bought new spark plugs and a battery. The tank is completely rusted on the inside and is missing a petcock, so I ran a line to a bottle to temporarily test the engine. It turned over but did not start. So next I began working on the carburetors. These were completely ruined. The choke and slides were both stuck. The insides of 3/4 carbs was crumbling away. I bought a better set of used Mikuni VM26ss carbs online. I spent the past week or so cleaning them with carb cleaner and a toothbrush. I also bought new rubber intake boots and air filters. I got the wrong size filters so I am exchanging them now.
A photo of the old carburetors:
Today, I reinstalled the carburetors and ran a temporary gas line into the carbs (also I did this without air filters). I put a tiny bit of gasoline into the pistons to help it start. I was able to start the bike by opening the choke all the way, giving it a little throttle, and using the starter motor. Unfortunately, the bike did not idle. I thought I should try again but this time hold the throttle open a bit more (could have just adjusted the throttle screw), however, when I attempted to start it again, there was a "pop" noise from the left side of the bike. I could hear the starter motor begin to slow down a bit as well. I didn't want to try starting it any more. Do any of you have any idea what this might be? I think it could be a diaphragm in the far left carb. Should I try to start the bike again, even though the starter motor is beginning to sound kind of bad?
A video of me starting the bike:
Thanks guys! I will post updates every once in a while when I get new parts or make progress on the bike. I am super excited to be working on this and also to be a part of this community
I paid $250. The bike has been sitting for about ten years and it has just over 19000 miles. My plan is to see if I can get it running, then strip it down, clean it thoroughly, paint it, and start working on the wheels, suspension, and cosmetic aspects of the bike.
Some photos:
When I first brought it home, I immediately did an oil change and bought new spark plugs and a battery. The tank is completely rusted on the inside and is missing a petcock, so I ran a line to a bottle to temporarily test the engine. It turned over but did not start. So next I began working on the carburetors. These were completely ruined. The choke and slides were both stuck. The insides of 3/4 carbs was crumbling away. I bought a better set of used Mikuni VM26ss carbs online. I spent the past week or so cleaning them with carb cleaner and a toothbrush. I also bought new rubber intake boots and air filters. I got the wrong size filters so I am exchanging them now.
A photo of the old carburetors:
Today, I reinstalled the carburetors and ran a temporary gas line into the carbs (also I did this without air filters). I put a tiny bit of gasoline into the pistons to help it start. I was able to start the bike by opening the choke all the way, giving it a little throttle, and using the starter motor. Unfortunately, the bike did not idle. I thought I should try again but this time hold the throttle open a bit more (could have just adjusted the throttle screw), however, when I attempted to start it again, there was a "pop" noise from the left side of the bike. I could hear the starter motor begin to slow down a bit as well. I didn't want to try starting it any more. Do any of you have any idea what this might be? I think it could be a diaphragm in the far left carb. Should I try to start the bike again, even though the starter motor is beginning to sound kind of bad?
A video of me starting the bike:
Thanks guys! I will post updates every once in a while when I get new parts or make progress on the bike. I am super excited to be working on this and also to be a part of this community
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