• Required reading for all forum users!!!

    Welcome!
    Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.

    A note to new registrants...
    All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.

    A Special Note about Email accounts!
    DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.

    A note to old forum members...
    I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.

    Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.

    Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...

  • Returning Visitors

    If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.

    If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.

Another Nubie in the house

  • Thread starter Thread starter Pepatone
  • Start date Start date
P

Pepatone

Guest
Hello everyone!!
I just recently purchased a GS650G it has 14,500 miles on it and it runs but smokes like a bat out of hell. Being that I just puchased this bike what are my main concerns? The gentleman I bought it off of just did an oil change and he changed the spark plugs ealier this year. She doesn't idle well it does alot of stalling. Also, I'm a novice mechanic with limited tools. I'm not afraid to do some work but I just need some guidance.
 
hi, what colour is the smoke and is it from all exhaust pipes?
 
The color of the smoke is grey and black and it comes out of both pipes. I also forgot to mention that this my first bike ever. I'm a beginner rider and a beginner bike owner.
 
Last edited:
Pepatone said:
The color of the smoke is grey and black and it comes out of both pipes. I also forgot to mention that this my first bike ever. I'm a beginner rider and a beginner bike owner.
Click to expand...

Usually smoke of this color denotes an excess fuel condition. Have you pulled the spark plugs and checked them for color? Is the bike stock or has it been modded? When you mention that the bike stalls alot, does the exhaust smell like it's running rich (like an old boat motor)?
 
It does smell a bit like an old boat motor. If I don't give it a little gas it will cut off, ocasionally it would stay on and idle at about 900 to 1200 rpm. But for the most part it cuts off. When I pull the plugs what colors am I looking for? Is it the same thing as a car spark plug? I have the original owners manual and it says that the engine and speedometor was changed at 8000 miles is that common. How would I know if it's a new engine or the original one?
 
Pepatone said:
It does smell a bit like an old boat motor. If I don't give it a little gas it will cut off, ocasionally it would stay on and idle at about 900 to 1200 rpm. But for the most part it cuts off. When I pull the plugs what colors am I looking for? Is it the same thing as a car spark plug? I have the original owners manual and it says that the engine and speedometor was changed at 8000 miles is that common. How would I know if it's a new engine or the original one?
Click to expand...

Here is some decent info on spark plugs and this, at the same site, is more detailed, but still some speculation is still in order there, but generally, at least as this newbie understands it, black & wet = rich, white & dry = lean, amber = just right... relatively...

As far as changing the engine, I wouldn't say that's common... from what little I know, these engines last a long, LONG time, but the VIN on the engine should tell you at least what engine is in there. I can't find the link to the engine ID stuff, but no doubt some more knowledgeable folks will be able to and likely show up in no time :-D.
 
Thanks for the info. I'm on my way out to run it and check them plugs. Here's another question I have though the person I bought the bike off of gave me some new air filters but the ones he gave me would eliminate the air box and get attached to the carb directly (they look like some sporty ones. In any event he told me that I would have to get some bigger jets for the carb. Is this recommended I don't want to do anything to put too much strain on the bike it's pretty old being that it's a 81 thats like almost 26 years old. Should I just get the carbs and the air filter cleaned or get those carbs cleaned and bigger jets to put the straight shot air filters in? Sorry for the rookie questions I can't help it I'm new at this stuff!! Thanks for the help!!
 
Pepatone said:
Thanks for the info. I'm on my way out to run it and check them plugs. Here's another question I have though the person I bought the bike off of gave me some new air filters but the ones he gave me would eliminate the air box and get attached to the carb directly (they look like some sporty ones. In any event he told me that I would have to get some bigger jets for the carb. Is this recommended I don't want to do anything to put too much strain on the bike it's pretty old being that it's a 81 thats like almost 26 years old. Should I just get the carbs and the air filter cleaned or get those carbs cleaned and bigger jets to put the straight shot air filters in? Sorry for the rookie questions I can't help it I'm new at this stuff!! Thanks for the help!!
Click to expand...

I'm guessing they're "pods" - search the tech forum as well as the Performance Mods forum and you will find overwhelming information on them... and probably as much disagreement on them as the age-old chain vs. shaft debate. Using them does require re-jetting though. My guess would be if it still has the normal airbox and filter, keep them on it for now and research info on pods, then you can make decisions about putting them on later.
 
Don't worry about the strain...

Don't worry about the strain...

Pepatone said:
I don't want to do anything to put too much strain on the bike it's pretty old being that it's a 81 thats like almost 26 years old.
Click to expand...
These bikes are tough. This old engine with 14,000 miles has the ability to run for many many years. But getting it to run correctly is important, too much fuel will wear the engine out very quickly by washing oil away from the cylinder walls.
Perhaps the choke is stuck on? Float level way too high? Find out what the previous owner did or didn't do to it. Perhaps he changed jets in a misguided attempt to make more power without knowing what he was doing?
 
They are pods. Well I guess to get my bike in tip top. I will start with a tune up (Changing spark plugs, wires, oil, oil filter) I know I have to get that carb cleaned and do you have any other suggestions. By the way I just came in from riding and that bike has some kick to it. I think it's going to be a fun summer!!!
 
Being as You said You're New to all this, Rule #1 on changing the Oil is Do NOT Over tighten the Acorn Nuts on the Oil Filter Cover! The Threads are Fragile and Strip out Very Easily as Many here can Testify. Tight is Good, Overtight is Bad!:-D
 
Thanks for the tips! This site is great!! I checked the plugs and they looked good. I also spoke to the last owner and he mentioned that the rings on one of the cylinders are bad. I'm not sure I could do that but I would give it a shot. Like I said before with a little guidence anything is possible.
 
Last edited:
Start out by buying a Clymer's manual for the bike, about $25 on Ebay or Amazon. Even better, buy the factory manual if the price doesn't scare you.

http://www.alpha-sports.com/suzuki_parts.htm

The rings on a GS650G should be in excellent condition at 14K miles, unless the bike has been badly abused.

Few shops or mechanics know how to tune or repair quarter-century old motorcycles. Plan on buying some tools and learning how to do it yourself. The people on this site will become your best friends in motorcycling. They will guide you at each step.
 
The fact that the changed the motor & speedo means that you have NO idea how many miles are on the engine or the bike, Not a big problem. If the bike has sat for a long time you could try adding some marvel mys oil to the cylinders and letting it soak- it could have gummed up rings
 
I've been on this site for a little under a month and I'm addicted you guys out there know your $h*t. Just purchased the Clymers book and I'm waiting for it in the mail. Is there a way to find out if the engine in my bike is the original?
 
May the fixin begin

May the fixin begin

Just received my Clymers Manual. Yeah!
I guess my best bet is to start with a full tune up and go forward from there. Ran the bike yesterday just warm up the engine (try to do that once a week at least). She fires up like a champ but does't Idle well, sometimes she'll stay idle @ 900 - 1200rpm but, then sometimes she'll die as well when I don't give it a little gas or pull up the choke. For a newbie with his first bike I haven't done any work but check the plugs and change the oil with out a filter change. Where do I really begin???????????
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top