Good bike but I have some problems that I don't know where to start

[hopelessmechanic]

Hi guys I'm new to the forum, motorcycles, and anything else motorcycle related.  I just bought a 89 gs500 for a very reasonable price.  It didn't run when I bought it (hense the reasonable price).  Well I have it running now but this is the scenario of my troubles.  It starts up and runs no problem, but there is very littlle power when driving and no white smoke out the back.  When the power kicks in almost like the sencond cyclinder just "kicked in" there is now large amounts of white smoke coming out the exhaust.  Also the engine makes a sound like the tin mans oil can in The Wizard of Oz.  That ca clunk ca clunk sound.  It sounds good when reving it does the ca clunk ca clunk sound when idling and there is a poo loud of white smoke out the back when it feels like it is running good.   What could it be?  Please help I am a sucky mechanic I have a manual I bought from my local shop before I found this awesome website.  Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Jeppy]

Have you checked the plugs....drained and replaced fuel being the bike was not running the fuel in the tank could be bad.....did oil change.....you know the basic things you do when you get a used bike that is not running......

[hopelessmechanic]

yes plugs are replaced, fuel was drained from the tank so I filled her up with 87, Changed oil and oil filter and air filter looked good but I bought a new one that I will put in soon.  I'm very concerned about the white smoke.

[makenzie71]

Are you SURE it's white?  White smoke out of an oil-cooled bike would be rather odd unless there's water in the fuel.

Really thick blue smoke, however, would be oil.

Black smoke is fuel.

First thing I would suggest doing is a compression check.  Do a run on dry cylinders and then drop a little motor oil down the plug holes and check again.

First thought to my mind is shot rings and/or pistons

Is the bike stock?

[starwalt]

There have been reports of "2nd Cylinder Syndrome" that is usually due to a poor electrical connection. An electrical connection will NOT cause the "ca clunk ca" you describe. You could have a loose Cam Chain and/or Cam Chain Tensioner (CCT - in GS lingo).

You need to find an overhead cam friend fast if you aren't confident of your wrenching even with a manual.

Electrical connections to check are the main ground (neg battery lead running to bottom of engine), aux. ground (smaller lead off the neg.battery lead that connects to the wiring harness), and all associated with the Ignition controlbox (left side under the body plastic bolted to the battery box).

Let us know!

[jiggersplat]

that sound could also be pinging.  check your timing and your fuel mixture.

[hopelessmechanic]

The Bike is 100% stock that I know of.  I will do all of the checking tomorrow morning (compression, electrical, timing and fuel mixture).  I will keep everybody up to date almost real time.  I appreciate everybodies help and the fast responses.  You guys are great.