Getting to know my bike... a few questions:

[Jonzilla]

Well I have now had my 82 GS1100G for about a month. I've rebuilt the brake calipers and replaced the pads. Got a new petcock to resolve flooding issues. Replaced the clutch and tach cables. I still need to check/adjust the valves. But I have now ridden the bike 300 miles with no real issues.

Just as any new (to me) bike, I'm started to see and get familiar with it's personality. And I noticed a couple things that seem to need tended to:

After about 15 miles (good and warmed up) I can smell burning oil. Upon closer inspection I can see that the smell is what seems to be vaporized oil coming from the hose from the valve cover. I have pod filters and this hose is just sticking out in the space above them. Should I be able to see/smell the oil from this hose? The engine has not "used" any oil since I changed it when I first brought it home. There is the tiniest amount of oil on the rim of the hose, but not just dripping out steadily or anything.

Other question:

After this engine get good and hot, it's rather noisey. Not really defined or steady knocking but kind of a rattle sound. Not a valve tick sound but just rattles. I don't hear it until the bike is at idle and the engine is warm.

Could these problems be tight valves? I have no idea when or if they have been adjusted and plan to do so asap.

 

[Nessism]

Not likely to be valve related, which is no excuse to put off this critical bit of maintenance. Did you see rustybronco's photos showing what happens to the engine when valve adjustments are neglected?

The vaporized mix out of the breather tube is a mixture of fuel blowby and oil vapor. I suggest you fashion a catch container of some sort. Also, did you rejet the carbs for the pods? If not, you need to since the engine will run lean with the stock jetting, which will lead to engine damage.

 

[Billy Ricks]

Smoking from the vent line is normal. I have mine running the length of the bike out just beyond my license plate to keep the smoke from making a mess of things.

These bikes do make a bit of noise that takes some getting used to. You should check valve clearances though. They usually get tighter as parts wear.

 

[Jonzilla]

Thanks for the replies. I will not lie, I have not been into the carbs to check the jet sizes. The bike was purchased with k&n pods and a vance and hines 4 into 1 exhaust. The bike has been running great at all rpm's and smooth cruising at steady rpm's. Though the headers do show some slight blueing. Please don't laugh at my ignorance but to get to the jets do I only have to remove the bowl or are they deeper inside the carb? I don't even know the stock jet sizes either but I can find those online somewhere I'm sure.

 

[Jonzilla]

I gave it another listen while the engine is still hot just now. There is a definite chirp sound coming from the front of the engine. Could this be a leaking header gasket perhaps? I don't really hear it except at idle. Any knowledge on chirping sounds? Normal?

 

[Billy Ricks]

Most likely an exhaust leak.

Main jets are in the bowl, jet needles which meter from about 1/4-3/4 throttle are accessed by removing the carb tops and pulling the slides out. If they have multiple grooves a jet kit is already installed. The idle screws are on top of the carbs in front of the slide bores. If the little brass caps have been removed from the idle mixture screws you most likely have a jet kit installed as well.

There is a carb cleanup series found on the sites homepage that will help you learn about the carbs. You can probably find jet specs here, http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=73723&highlight=carb+oem+specs.