Tips for preparing for a "long" trip?

[jhelbig]

I've been invited to ride to Myrtle Beach this friday, about a 50 mile one way trip. It'll be the first long ride (more than a couple miles) the bike has had. I've been working on fixing oil leaks lately! I would like to try and tune the carbs some more before I go (due to it not wanting to stay running at idle and running lean on #2 cylinder, exhaust is turning blue). Any tips or things I should look over on the bike before friday? I'm nervous about taking it this far and was hoping you gs gurus could provide some insight!

Additional info:
Valves clearances have been checked
Carbs have been cleaned
Front/back brakes have been repaired
electrical has been gone over
new tires put on
new V&H exhaust put on

 

[SqDancerLynn1]

Most would consider 100 miles a short trip.. It sounds like you have it covered except the carbs, Did you replace the intake O rings?
What is the idle RPM 1200 is good

 

[jhelbig]

Yeah, no doubt 100 miles is short for most! That's why I put it in quotes. But for this bike it'll be a long one because it'll be the most its been ridden in 3 years!! Yep, intake o-rings have been changed along with "most" everything else! My wife jokes that its a NEW 1979 GS1000! I'm sure some gremlin will show its face. I didn't say everything that's been done to it, its on another post. I guess I should've put this on that one instead of starting a new post!
I guess what I'm looking for is what to check and look at before a long shakedown ride, which is really what this will be. Probably not a good idea to go that far, but I really want to see what she'll do!
How do you recommend me tuning the #2 carb, because of the blueing? Thanks!!

 

[Theo]

Steve posted in another thread a good way to 'shake down' the bike. To paraphrase, he said to start off 2 blocks away from your house and go in a circle always maintaining a radius of 2 blocks. That way if anything happens, you are only 2 blocks away from home! If the bike is still working, increase the radius to 5 blocks and so on. You'll be putting some miles on the bike yet you will never be too far away from home. I hope I got that right.

 

[Baatfam]

Cell phone? CHECK!
Debit card? CHECK!

Let's roll!

 

[jhelbig]

Cell phone? CHECK!
Debit card? CHECK!

Let's roll!

That's what my buddies are telling me, but their not the ones putting the blood, sweat, and tears into this project! I have visions of it sitting by the side of the road all by its lonesome!! Aw Hell, lets do it!!!

 

[tkent02]

I would fix the lean cylinder before riding it far/hard.

 

[jhelbig]

I would fix the lean cylinder before riding it far/hard.

can you point me in the right direction?

 

[tkent02]

Float height wrong, some passage in the carb blocked, a jet clogged, could even be an air leak. Take it apart and find out.

Running lean can be expensive.

 

[Baatfam]

Float height wrong, some passage in the carb blocked, a jet clogged, could even be an air leak. Take it apart and find out.

Running lean can be expensive.

#2...could be the petcock vacuum port??

 

[jhelbig]

Thanks! I'm not really sure which direction to go. I've been searching about it on here and wondering if I have to sync them again or clean them again. They just got dipped and rebuilt two weeks ago! From what I've been reading an air leak might be the culprit. Is it true that running lean can burn up a piston ie (running lean can be expensive.)?

 

[jhelbig]

#2...could be the petcock vacuum port??

The hose is connected. what else on the vacuum port should I check, you think that it might have a hole in the line?

 

[tkent02]

No, the vacuum port is on #3, these are VM carbs.

Is it true that running lean can burn up a piston ie (running lean can be expensive.)?

Ask Chef about that.

 

[Baatfam]

No, the vacuum port is on #3, these are VM carbs.

Ah, thank you...my mistake.

 

[twr1776]

Today 02:08 PM tkent02 Float height wrong, some passage in the carb blocked, a jet clogged, could even be an air leak. Take it apart and find out. Running lean can be expensive.

+ 1, you mentioned you put on a new V & H pipe. Did you re-jet for it? Have you re-sealed the airbox? As tkent mentioned until you figure out # 2 being way lean and turning the pipe blue I would not run it too far like that either. Do you have any color on the plugs yet?

 

[crag antler]

Just one thing to remember on any distance trip..................
TOOLS:-\\\:-\\\
I never go anywhere without at least a basic set.
Longer trip...more tools.
I have been given grief by others,not here,about the tools I carry.
BUT, I always carry them but hardly need them.And yet when I do, I have been able to get myself and others out of jams.
Dependent on your feeling, carry what.
For by 28 year old enduro, I carry just enough to do a trail-side engine tear down

 

[Turtleface]

Just one thing to remember on any distance trip..................
TOOLS:-\\\:-\\\
I never go anywhere without at least a basic set.
Longer trip...more tools.
I have been given grief by others,not here,about the tools I carry.
BUT, I always carry them but hardly need them.And yet when I do, I have been able to get myself and others out of jams.
Dependent on your feeling, carry what.
For by 28 year old enduro, I carry just enough to do a trail-side engine tear down

Tools! Sometimes a simple screwdriver can spare you an outrageous towing charge.

 

[UncleMike]

I believe my tools worked on no less than four bikes at last year's Moosehead.

 

[Baatfam]

I believe my tools worked on no less than four bikes at last year's Moosehead.

My tools worked on one bike no less than four times at Fennimore last year...

Hello Dom? Hello?

 

[jhelbig]

So what your saying is.....I need to take tools? Got it!!! I plan on putting a tool roll in the tail compartment and some in my backpack. Socket set, wrench set, screwdrivers, extra fuses, flashlight, qt of oil(!).
I've put 44 miles on it since Monday.
Yesterday had and exhaust leak (on #2)Hmmm.... found the left front cam housing came loose, and my brand new headlight died. I retightened the exhaust bolt (could that be causing the blueing?), chased the threads for the cam housing bolts and lock tited (red) them, and put a multimeter on the headlight connection. its getting voltage, but not staying steady. Is that right?
Also, on Tuesday I checked the plugs, #1 wet, #2 sooty #3 sooty/good #4 wet. And also found the #2 plug wire boot had to go WAY down on the plug to get connected, so I'm thinking it might have not been connected completely. Would that also have anything to do with the blueing? Changed the oil on Tuesday and put new half moon seals on.
The mechanic said he rejetted, but couldn't remember what sizes he put on. Ummm.. thanks jackass.