GS1100 Carb Rebuild Service on E-bay

[Guest]

Saw this and thought I'd offer it up for discussion. On E-bay there's a guy
doing sonic cleaning and rebuilding of GS1100 carbs for $200.00. Since the
rebuild kits are about $100 for a set of four, I thought this might be the way for me to go, and he will sync them and test them on his bike. He might even be one of our members, has anyone used his service?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320611348861&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

[Baatfam]

Saw this and thought I'd offer it up for discussion. On E-bay there's a guy
doing sonic cleaning and rebuilding of GS1100 carbs for $200.00. Since the
rebuild kits are about $100 for a set of four, I thought this might be the way for me to go, and he will sync them and test them on his bike. He might even be one of our members, has anyone used his service?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320611348861&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Well for starters, you don't need or want the $100 rebuild kit. You just need Robert Barr's o-ring kit...
(he is on the board here, I am sure someone will post the link)
With the o-ring kit, a $20 can of Berryman's cleaner, the instructions on this site and a little time, it is pretty easy to do yourself.
I think you'd still want to sync them on your own bike also.

That's just my thoughts...but I am a cheapskate...like most GS owners...

 

[cowboyup3371]

I'm not thoroughly positive but I would think there are too many variables about syncing them that it would be better to do it on your bike. That way you have your air box, your valve adjustments, and your intake boots to work with as known variables. His bike may not be set up the same and things may not work as well for you afterwards.

 

[koolaid_kid]

If you really want someone to rebuild your carbs for you, there is someone here that does that. I believe it is chef1366.http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=148764

 

[chuck hahn]

they can be " bench synced" and thats all an out sourced rebuilder can do.. They need to be out on the bike they are intended for and dialed in properly..Thats an old catch the unawre new guy trick by adding "I will run them on my bike " bull crap!

 

[Guest]

What is "sonic" cleaning?
What a joke!

 

[Baatfam]

What is "sonic" cleaning?
What a joke!

Ultrasonic cleaners work very well...we use them at work...
I believe some members here have used ultrasonic cleaners for some projects...don't know if they were carbs or not.

 

[chuck hahn]

Sonic cleaning is where you put them..one by one..in the berrymans for the prescribed 24 hr soaking. Then you stand there all frustrtated that its gonna take 4 full days just to dip the carbs..let alone reassemby time!! Then you scream and cuss as loudly as you can at the can, The intense vibrations from you voicing your displeasure then does absolutely nothing to speed up the process.

 

[Guest]

So sonic clean is the same as Ultrasonic clean?

 

[Big T]

Yes, ultrasonic cleaning is sonic cleaning

I have to say that, judging from his pics, he does a good cleaning, puts in all new parts and he's 1/2 the cost of wiredgeorge!

 

[Guest]

Of course he's gonna use a good pic..

Chef is the best bet if one cant do it himself.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=148764

 

[Guest]

Well, lots of inputs, thanks! I got this bike in January, and worked out some of the bugs with the lights, etc. What I failed to mention was the fact that this bike is in the shop, for a carb rebuild, where it has been since late May. A friend recommend this guy, and the carb rack has been removed at least 3 times, I took it there because the plugs were white (lean burn) and it ran hot, no 3 cylinder running 50 degrees hotter than the rest, it was cold blooded, but it ran extremely well when warmed up, no missing, hesistation, flat spots, and ran strong to redline (such power!). Now it runs rich, very rich, and basically runs very poorly, doesn't idle well, quits when it gets hot. I think the guy who rebuilt the carbs is in over his head. I don't have the tools (sync stuff) to rebuild myself although I considered it. So.........
I'd have to say the carbs have now been molested, don't really know what jetting it's set for, it is a totally stock bike, pipes, air cleaner, everything. The rubber manifolds have been replaced with new ones, and I think I may have had a leak on some of the old ones.
So, naturally I was considering this carb rebuild service, I would like to think that returning all the jetting to a stock configuration for a completely stock bike and syncing it with a stock bike would take care of this situation I've allowed myself to get into. So, I haven't decided what I'm going to do at this point, but it be nice to have it up and running again. In the mean time I guess I'll just ride my GS1000.

Here's a picture of the beast as it was taken by the prior owner.

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/photogallerys/Chris-Kings-GS1100E.jpg

 

[tkent02]

Learn to do this stuff yourself, waiting months for a few hour's work is ludicrous. If you can't do it, go with Chef, he's one of us and does good work.
He won't BS you about synchronizing them on his bike which does nothing for you.

 

[MisterCinders]

I don't have the tools (sync stuff) to rebuild myself although I considered it.

If you send the carbs to be rebuilt by Sonic, you still have to vacuum synch them at your end. So the one tool you don't have is the one tool you still need when you get the mail-order rebuild done.

Pull the carbs and clean them, bench synch them, then get with your mechanic buddy to get the vacuum synch done.

 

[SqDancerLynn1]

The trick is DO not rush the job !!

 

[almarconi]

it was cold blooded, but it ran extremely well when warmed up

When was the last time the valves were checked/adjusted?

 

[Guest]

When was the last time the valves were checked/adjusted?

Actually, I don't know. I'm the 4th owner, and I believe the bike was well maintained throughout it life, but............ I would have to say in it's 14K
life at least once because the valve gasket has been replaced. Ironic though you asked that, as that's what's being done to it now, I just delivered the valve cover gasket, new breather material and breather gasket to the mechanic. I had read several posts (some lengthy) about the valves not completely closing, or not completely closing when it was hot, causing problems that appear to be carb related. So, I'll see how that goes before addressing the carb issue again, but quite frankly even though this mechanic is at his wit's end with these carbs, I've discussed the possiblility of the valves not closing when it heats up, and he scoffed at the idea. It may have a valve problem, but I still believe it has a carb problem as you don't even need to choke it to get it going when it's cold.
And when you open the throttle black smoke comes out the exhaust, the plugs come out a powdery black. He should be getting back with me soon.
When the engine temp reaches 210 degrees, the bike just dies on me, it'll start right up again, but won't idle or stay running, unless I pour on the throttle. Once it cools down, it runs OK or should I say better, which means it still burns lots of gas, hesitates off the start, and doesn't run very smooth.

 

[tkent02]

so, i'll see how that goes before addressing the carb issue again, but quite frankly even though this mechanic is at his wit's end with these carbs, i've discussed the possiblility of the valves not closing when it heats up, and he scoffed at the idea.

get rid of this guy, he knows nothing, or worse, he's being dishonest with you.

 

[Nessism]

Actually, I don't know. I'm the 4th owner, and I believe the bike was well maintained throughout it life, but............ I would have to say in it's 14K
life at least once because the valve gasket has been replaced. Ironic though you asked that, as that's what's being done to it now, I just delivered the valve cover gasket, new breather material and breather gasket to the mechanic. I had read several posts (some lengthy) about the valves not completely closing, or not completely closing when it was hot, causing problems that appear to be carb related. So, I'll see how that goes before addressing the carb issue again, but quite frankly even though this mechanic is at his wit's end with these carbs, I've discussed the possiblility of the valves not closing when it heats up, and he scoffed at the idea. It may have a valve problem, but I still believe it has a carb problem as you don't even need to choke it to get it going when it's cold.
And when you open the throttle black smoke comes out the exhaust, the plugs come out a powdery black. He should be getting back with me soon.
When the engine temp reaches 210 degrees, the bike just dies on me, it'll start right up again, but won't idle or stay running, unless I pour on the throttle. Once it cools down, it runs OK or should I say better, which means it still burns lots of gas, hesitates off the start, and doesn't run very smooth.

Checking the valves is one of the first things that needs to be done with any new GS purchase since so many idiot PO's never do it. There is a good chance your bike has 14k miles without ever being checked.

Regarding this mechanic of yours, you would be better off doing the work yourself and learning. Paying someone to work on a 30 year old vehicle is very expensive since there is always something new to do.

Carbs are easy to deal with as long as the bike is stock. As for rich running, that would be a stuck float or leaking petcock. Ignition problems often get mistakenly classified as carb problems too so make sure everything is up to snuff in that respect too before you go chasing your tail on a carb problem that doesn't exist.

Good luck.

 

[don_gibb6512]

Here's a picture of the beast as it was taken by the prior owner.

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/photogallerys/Chris-Kings-GS1100E.jpg

Are you KIDDING me? Where do you guys FIND these bikes? Holy smokes that is about as beautiful as they come. You sir, are one lucky man.