Things to look for??

[prosnomonkey]

So I am doing all the stuff BassCliff recommends after buying an old bike (carbs, valves, oil... etc) and I know that diagnosis is impossible before a baseline has been established. That being said, I do have some issues already and I want to know what to look for while I do the baseline stuff. Hopefully to provide clues for further diagnosis down the road.

The bike emits LOTS of white/slightly blue smoke at cold start, goes away after the bike gets warm and doesn't do this again until the next cold start. Also, there is a "shuddering" feeling while I am cruising and occaisonally feels like a loss of power when attempting a quick throttle like taking off from a start or just rolling on power real hard.

So what things to be on the lookout for? I am going to check the valves this week, and maybe start on the carb cleaning depending on available time

Thanks!
Jeremy

 

[loud et]

I think you sort of answered your own question. Any GS that you do not have the firsthand knowledge of the carburators being properly torn down, dipped and rebuild with new o rings and bench sync, float height ....must be done before you waste any time wondering, thinking, hypothesizing, of guessing if it is the carbs. That includes intake boot inspection or replacement, and airbox sealing and check.
A clean gas tank and proper functioning petcock are essentials also, as they will just contaminate your newly rebuilt carbs.
(time for that 30 year maintenance appointment) lol
If you have not put many miles on the bike, I would run it for a while 4-5 tanks with seafoam, at least a couple with a heavy dose. Let that engine come to life again and dont worry about the smoke till you put a few good hundred miles on it and things dont improve.
Make sure you have fresh oil.

 

[prosnomonkey]

right, I don't necessarily think there is a problem with the carbs. I am just asking, as I go throught the maintenence items, what might be some red flags to watch out for? for instance, when I go to make a valve adjustment, what might I look for when I am in there that might indicate issue somewhere else? Likewise the carbs, is there stuff I might see when doing a breakdown and cleaning that might indicate need for maintenance elsewhere? This is my first time looking inside and engine and doing these things. Stuff to more experienced mechanics that indicate major issues elsewhere, to me they look normal.

 

[GS(X)400]

Dont forget the electrical. Run through the stator papers and ensure your charging system is healthy.

Also was to check that all your chassis ground connections are good.
Clean or replace every connector you find during you tear down and clean the connetors inside your controles replace sections of damage wire. Check the fuse (this your bike is single fuse) and i suggest putting a new mini spade inline fuse to replace thouse old school glass ones.