GS1100GK Bogging Down Problems...

[MrMellow]

Hi all,

I have looked EVERYWHERE online for an answer to why my bike is doing what it is, and have had very little luck, so i turn to this forum in the hope that someone can shed some light on what may be happening!

I own a GS1100GK which i bought in average condition and have cleaned up quite a bit, I am having alot of fun modifying it and making it my own, although i've owned 9 different bikes in my lifetime, this is my first real delve into the mechanics side of them. >



I've come across a problem with it having trouble accelerating under load.

The bike will idle and rev at a standstill without trouble, but as soon as it's put on the road and given more than half a throttle (or put under heavy load) the bike just splutters, or bogs down. It doesn't die, it just refuses to accelerate further, and I hear pops from the exhaust, not backfires, just pops. The engine DOES propel the bike forward, but it's certainly not fast, and no where near as quick to accelerate as it should be.

So far I have taken the carbs apart. and cleaned every orifice according to the GS RESOURCES carb cleaning tutorial, I found a rebuild kit and replaced the main, air and pilot jets, same size as original, just new. I have had a mechanic friend compression test it and it tests fine. I have swapped the coils over with a GS650G set, the problem does not alter at all. I have carefully checked float levels and set them to 23mm complying with the maintenance manual I have.

Any information on where to check next would be fantastic, i'm pulling my hair out here, its frustrating just not knowing where to go next.

As part two of my question, (and this may be one of the problems, i dont know) Upon cleaning the carbies, I found an orifice that i have no idea what it does, it seems to be blocked up with what looks almost like solid superglue, which i guess could be varnish, i have linked a photo below with the subject circled in red, I can take a photo later of the actual part if required. any info on that would be great too! Possibly this being blocked has something to do with my issues? >





Thankyou for any information you can give me, i realize this is quite long but I've nowhere else to turn to!

 

[tom203]

When you were ...." having alot of fun modifying it and making it my own" did you change air intake system? pods ?, none stock air filter element?

Are those vacuum diaphragms in good shape- no pinholes? They need to be able to be "pulled up" as engine load advances.

 

[Steve]

As tom203 asked, what have you done to the intake? If you have installed pod filters, you will need to make some serious adjustments to jetting. I already see a non-stock exhaust, there should have been some jetting changes for that, too.

Another issue is that you used "carb kits". Many of them are assembled with parts of questionable quality. You would have been better off (operationally and financially) if you had just cleaned your stock jets. However, since the stock jets are not what you need anyway, ... it's time to get some new jets and tune the carbs.

The area circled in red SHOULD be plugged. It's not "solid superglue", it's a brass ball that has been inserted as a plug, after drilling the passages for the pilot circuit.

.

 

[fishfarm]

The first thing I would do, is try running it with the petcock in the "Prime" position. If there is an improvement, it could indicate a petcock/vacuum issue.

Edit: As a reminder, do not leave the petcock in "prime"; you run the risk of filling the crankcase with fuel if the float valves leak.

 

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. MrMellow,

Everything starts with properly cleaned carbs and a tight air intake system with no leaks. Until these two things are taken care of properly you will have trouble with your bike, guaranteed. You'll find most of what you need in the links below.

If you are here you probably have a 30 year old motorcycle that needs about 20 years worth of maintenance. In the links below you'll find maintenance lists, documentation, wiring diagrams, "how to" guides, vendor links, tips, tricks, and a whole lot of GS goodness. This is your "mega-welcome". Let's get started.

Let me dump a TON of information on you and share some GS lovin'.

I just stopped by to welcome you to the forum in my own, special way.

If there's anything you'd like to know about the Suzuki GS model bikes, and most others actually, you've come to the right place. There's a lot of knowledge and experience here in the community. Come on in and let me say "HOoooowwwDY!"....

Here is your very own magical, mystical, mythical, mind-expanding "mega-welcome". Please take notice of the "Top 10 Common Issues", "Top 15 Tips For GS Happiness", the Carb Cleanup Series, and the Stator Papers. All of these tasks must be addressed in order to have a safe, reliable machine. This is what NOT to do: Top 10 Newbie Mistakes. Now let me roll out the welcome mat for you...

Please Click Here For Your Mega-Welcome, chock full of tips, suggestions, links to vendors, and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I've been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. Don't forget, we like pictures! Not you, your bike!

More links to helpful threads in the forum:
Help! Your Bike Won't Start
DON'T DO THESE THINGS
Help! Your Bike Won't Run Well
Oh God! Pods!


Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[Steve]

Apparently "MrMellow" is accustomed to the typical response speed on other forums. :-\\\

.

 

[MrMellow]

Apolgies..

Apolgies..

Hi All,

Apologise for the insanely long response time.. a wee bit embarrassing on my behalf, due mainly to a christmas trip away from any sort of technology...

Thanks all for the ideas,

Seems my petcock is broken, leaks even in the off position, but that wasnt the main issue,

The "rebuild" kit i recieved looks like it was for another bike, everything fit sure, but the needle and seat were ridiculously different sizes, which, going by the book on the setting of them, leads me to believe i was way off the correct setting.

To correct my problem, I replaced all of the new jets with the stock ones that came with the bike, changed the needle and seat back to stock, and the bike is now running much MUCH nicer, it accelerates much faster, still not perfect, but acceptable for an 1100.

I think the leftover will be just a tune up, i have not looked at the valve clearances, mainly due to the fact that i have no idea what i'm looking at under there. Would there be any manual in the gs resources website explaining how to do this step by step? or should i leave it to a mechanic?

Regards and Thanks

Mellow

 

[tom203]

If you want to remain MrMellow, check your valve clearances -it ain't that hard. Head to that link that member Basscliff offered- what year is this bike? Best to do this work yourself, as nobody else will care as much as you!

P.S. just get a new petcock ( maybe $60) and eliminate it as a problem- rebuild kits are for gamblers.

 

[gert du prez]

had the same problem, but only when running in the 'ON' position.
As soon as I changed the fuel petcock to 'RES' the issue was solved.

Bought a replacement petcock (did not bother to investigate further) and I'm happy again.

 

[gert du prez]

and also threw away the 4 into 1 and replaced it with a stock header...now
that I think about it...

 

[MrMellow]

Thanks all for the replies, I really am a bit slow with this replying business.

I will look into the valves clearances and see if i feel confident enough to take them on.

Will certainly get myself a new petcock too.

Thanks!

Mrmellow