78 GS400 19 years sitting now here we go...

[jfman]

well I rode it all over today. I put on approx 50 miles. It rurns very strong. pulls harder than the 450L for some reason??? emgo short pipes sound fantastic. no running problems, that is no bogging or surging or off idle(I.E. Jetting problems) but it does have the ROVING idle, or hanging idle sometimes!!!??@#% I adjusted the idle knob 5 times . it either stalls or idles at 3k and has that slow return to idle after it is very warm.???@#$#%^^

carbs been dipped and ultrasonically cleaned.. new O RINGS via mr BARR.. NEW intake ORINGS but not the paper gaskets but they were off and I sealed them w/h i temp permatex.. umm nice original airbox with an original inner filter with a new outer foam , and the foam oiled!!
still roving idle hahahaha DARNIT
I may revisit the carbs again. redip and check check check.

One thing I noticed was the intake boot clamps were all the way tight and maybe the boots are leeking???@@#%% I may propane test it tomorrow to see if theres a leak!!!

going to get some hose clamps!!

tonite I propane checked it .. it did NOTHING .. i am puzzled to say the least//?#?$?$ I did it after 1/2 hour running. sometimes it revs.. sometime not. DUOOOOHHHH.
ALSO tore out the points advancer . looks great no binding etc...timed on the money..both sides. i'm now wondering if it needs jetted because of the mostly open emgo pipes?> .. BUT it runs fine in all modes. exept that darned idle roving arournd??
I will say that sometimes when LETTING OFF the throttle in WFO it surges....stumbles. I can't put my finger on it lol

LMK what you find because one of my GS's is the exact same way, even after new intake boots.

 

[qisteve]

Those mags look great! I've been thinking about what to do with my corroded rims and that might be the answer! Any close up photos or advice?

 

[barnbiketom]

Cool bike!


I'm sure you can find a taker for your wire wheels since people with 1980's GS400's like to make cafe racers out of them + drums are in vogue.

the wire wheels rims are crap. severe pittng but the hubs are good. I have a taker for them already. aftermarket/stock rims are still available so if that's the way someone wants o go that's cool. I just hate wires...

LMK what you find because one of my GS's is the exact same way, even after new intake boots.

seems like it had the wrong clamps on it.. they were all he way tight but still loose. i doubt the intake rubbers were shrunk but who knows. they are very soft and supple. I put nice shiny stainless hose clamps on it to test it and problem solved!!!

Those mags look great! I've been thinking about what to do with my corroded rims and that might be the answer! Any close up photos or advice?

The mags were exactly the same mounting. i'll get some better pics...

 

[barnbiketom]

I beadblasted them first. ( they were gold)

then rinsed with acetone...

2 coats of DUPLICOLOR WHEEL PAINT ( i swear by duplicolor wheel and engine paints) waited 10 minutes between light coats..

2 coats of NAPA 2 part epoxy clearcoat.. also 10 minutes between light coats.

The spacers and everything were identical.. the rim widths were slightly large i think on the front rim ..

I have yet to get a good pic out in the sun of the whole darn thing..but the fork tubes now look like crap

 

[wedoo2]

You were asking for a couple of suggestions about color, and that pretty much means nothing to the next guy. But I would suggest that the front fender go to white. It just looks a bit off to me. Or, if you want to go to the trouble, use some of that blue on the rims. Check out the Beemer for inspiration. I love your 400, my first real bike.

 

[barnbiketom]

wow that beemer is nice..love that color scheme.. i just wanted to update this.. i have NOT painted that front fender as of yet, but I got the used kerker 2 into 1 bead blasted ,painted, and re-did the packing with fiberglass .

I installed the battery today which had been on a float charger, choked it, petcock "ON", and ONE KICK PRESTO after sitting all winter...
it sounds FANTASTIC. not too loud but it has that little rumble and getting on it it really sounds nice!!!! runs perfect and no burble on decell like with those SHORTY mufflers.

White painted fender next episode!!!:-\\\

 

[Guest]

Very nice Tom! Glad to hear she's up and running again with no effort

Now get that guard painted and get riding!

 

[barnbiketom]

ok it got white

ok it got white

fender turned white today..
Mirrors gotta go, i need some a foot shorter hahahha..then the missing seat latch i think i will fabrikate.. i spell as bad as i fabricate hehehehe.. then it is done for now

 

[Guest]

Much better! I like my stalk mirrors... make it very easy to see who's about to rear-end me when I stop in traffic...

 

[barnbiketom]

Done for now..... A Daily Rider!!!!!

Done for now..... A Daily Rider!!!!!

YEOWWWWCH

 

[Guest]

Love it Tom, she looks great! :clap:

 

[barnbiketom]

rode to work and love it.. cept the dam mirrors are crap lol.. I gotta find something that works better.. farther out and up

 

[Guest]

Excellent Tom, good to see her out and about

My mirrors are just ok... and I mean just... with my rain suit on the extra bulk of my shoulders starts getting in the way...