• 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.

Loss of power and fuel economy

  • Thread starter Thread starter grantcrose
  • Start date Start date
G

grantcrose

Guest
For the last year or so I have only used my '80 GS 1100L to drive around the city and for short trips. This past weekend I drove ~500 miles though. I immediately noticed a major drop in power and fuel economy. In the past I was averaging around 40-42 mpg freeway, this weekend I averaged 30 tops. There also seemed to be very little power at high speeds. When I open the throttle, the RPMs would rise but she really wouldn't pull.

I have since checked the valve clearances and did a compression check. Clearances were good and there was between 140 and 150 psi across all four cylinders. What would be my next test to narrow down the problem? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

(I have a decent set of tools as well as the Clymer manual, so most basic maintenace/tests I should be able to run)
 
Carbs need cleaning. You could try some SeaFoam in the gas tank
 
Could it be a deeper issue than a simple cleaning? I ask because I thoroughly cleaned the carbs about 6 months ago. Took em off, removed float bowls, jets, etc. and cleaned with carb cleaner.
 
I would also guess the carbs. If you cleaned the carbs out but didn't address a dirty gas tank, the problem would just come back.

It *could* be something else, but it would honestly be a waste of time to start checking other systems on a whim when it's most likely the carburetors. Tear the carbs down, soak them, put them back together, and if the problem isn't fixed, then we'll think about other options.

Good luck
-Matt
 
I'm no expert, but that describes my bike exactly pre and post carb cleaning. Not sure if its recommended, but I also installed an inline fuel filter from my tank to carbs - won't help you with a rusted out tank, but won't hurt for most applications either.
 
Hm, sounds like an ignition problem to me. Check out your points/signal generator. I installed a Dyna S and this fixed the problem for me.
 
Check the voltage at the battery with the ignition off and then on.
 
Air filters getting restricted ( dirty ) can cause weird symptoms..such a running rich, fuel economy, sluggishness to a degree. Just sayin.
 
trickyasafox said:
I'm no expert, but that describes my bike exactly pre and post carb cleaning. Not sure if its recommended, but I also installed an inline fuel filter from my tank to carbs - won't help you with a rusted out tank, but won't hurt for most applications either.
Click to expand...


Wow I never realized that. I went through several inline filters before I got around to caswell coating my tank. My bike gets poor mileage also.... re-cleaning the carbs.... something to think about this winter.
 
my 78 gs1000 gets 40-43 if I shift at low RPM. If I rag on it, less.
 
My 78 1000e gets around 25-30 mpg. I do have a one tooth larger rear sprocket than stock, but still think I should get better mileage. I haven't been able to monitor myself to drive an entire 100 miles without "ragging on it less"
 
Greg...Ive rode with you so take this as a compliment please. The way you jack that bike around, 30 IS a good number!!! LMAO.
 
I should point out too most of my mileage numbers are from highway commuting, so it works in my favor.
 
Here is what I've done in the past two weeks since posting:
-Removed carbs and cleaned again
-Ran an entire can of seafoam through (split across two full tanks)
-Checked the fuel filter, it appears to be clean enough but I don't know exactly how it should look. There doesn't appear to be any large particles or anything.
-Air box... the clymer manual lists that all gs850-1100s, with the exception of the 1000GL models, should have an air filter element. My air box is empty. There is a flat duct for sucking in air that is connected to the box, then the box connects directly to the carbs, no air filter. Is it missing or is this a mistake in the Clymer manual. (I have a '80 1100L)

What is my next step?

Also, can anyone recommend a good place to pick up plugs? I ordered a set of ngk B8ES plugs online but when they arrived I realized that they have a solid terminal, I need a stud type. All of the websites that I have checked don't seem to list the terminal type.
 
grantcrose said:
H
-Air box... the clymer manual lists that all gs850-1100s, with the exception of the 1000GL models, should have an air filter element. My air box is empty. There is a flat duct for sucking in air that is connected to the box, then the box connects directly to the carbs, no air filter. Is it missing or is this a mistake in the Clymer manual. (I have a '80 1100L)

What is my next step?
Click to expand...

Yeah there should be a filter in there... Get one. That has to be at least part of your problem.
 
cowboyup3371 said:
Remove the tip by unscrewing it; you'll want a pair of pliers to turn it as its on fairly tight.
Click to expand...

Unless I'm mistaken there are three types: solid, stud and loose. I believe that mine are of the solid type and cannot be removed. When I ordered them though, it only listed that they were NGK B8ES, no terminal information.
 
tkent02 said:
Yeah there should be a filter in there... Get one. That has to be at least part of your problem.
Click to expand...

Any ideas on where I could order one? All I'm seeing online are aftermarket pods and such.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top