It works!!

[tt_four]

It took a couple tries of hitting the starter button, but my GS finally fired up! I had pretty much given up hope after trying a couple times with no luck. It was a new battery, and the instructions said they recommended a full charge if you're able, but I wasn't. I thought I'd have to wait to borrow my dad's charger, but it eventually turned over. Took a couple minutes to know when it was warmed up because I didn't know if it still needed the clutch, or just needed the idle adjusted. Not to mention how long it took for all of the oil to burn off of the exhaust headers under the engine from when I drained it.

The engine runs much better than it used to! It doesn't have any more hesitation between 5-6k rpm like it used to, it just runs up to the red line REAL fast, which is nice because it feels much stronger than it used to, but it has been years, and I've been riding bicycles around the city, so maybe it's just mental.

The only problem I noticed that I don't remember from before, is that after I pull in the clutch and am coasting up to a stop sign the engine keeps revving around 3krpm until I actually stop. I'm assuming I have the clutch adjusted too tight, and even with the lever pulled in it's still rubbing just ever so slightly, so with the chain still spinning, it's still pulling the engine with it a little. It's late and I'm going to bed so I'll test that theory another night. Anyone that cares to give their opinion on it is more than welcome though.

The shifter feels awful, but it always has. I'm not sure if that's just how a 18 year old GS feels, or if the shifting just isn't that great anymore, but I do remember it feeling like that before. You definitely have to jam the shifter either way, and it feels like it shifts with a clunk. Not a smoother click like other bikes I've had, but the last two I had were new, so no biggie there. I know sometimes Heather has a hard time with it though.

All I have to do now is make sure the headlight is lined up straight, although it looks pretty good so far, mess with the right turn signal wires. I unplugged them and don't think I plugged them back in right inside the headlight because they weren't coming on, then make some better mounts for the tail and seat and make some kind of undertail for it.

Now Heather just has to get around to getting her permit again!  The title is in her name and I can't even insure it for myself without her being on the policy, and she can't be on it until she has a permit. No biggie, I'm just happy it works!

[Toogoofy317]

Cool, you're getting somewhere! Flick used to do the idling at 3k adjusted the idle screw a wee bit works awesome now! For the shifting when was the last time you changed the oil? When I changed mine shifting was like night and day!

Mary

[JB848]

OK tt_four assume the rest of us have no earthly idea what bike you are talking about? 

[simon79]

It took a couple tries of hitting the starter button, but my GS finally fired up! I had pretty much given up hope after trying a couple times with no luck. It was a new battery, and the instructions said they recommended a full charge if you're able, but I wasn't. I thought I'd have to wait to borrow my dad's charger, but it eventually turned over. Took a couple minutes to know when it was warmed up because I didn't know if it still needed the clutch, or just needed the idle adjusted. Not to mention how long it took for all of the oil to burn off of the exhaust headers under the engine from when I drained it.

The engine runs much better than it used to! It doesn't have any more hesitation between 5-6k rpm like it used to, it just runs up to the red line REAL fast, which is nice because it feels much stronger than it used to, but it has been years, and I've been riding bicycles around the city, so maybe it's just mental.

...

No I don't think it's mental, it must be for real 'cause I experienced the exact same thing a week or so ago, after I installed a brand new battery to my GS - the old one (very likely OEM installed battery, year 2001) was toast. The engine is much more willing to rev up now and the bike runs stronger.

[tt_four]

OK tt_four assume the rest of us have no earthly idea what bike you are talking about? 

Haha, sorry, I've talked about it off and on, but don't think I've posted all the details....

Back when I had my Triumph, I'd take Heather for rides, but she's AWFUL at riding on the back of a bike. As soon as I let off the gas the slightest bit her helmet would smack into the back of mine, I had to turn and accelerate as gently as possible because I was always afraid she was going to fall off because she wouldn't hold on/pay attention. I was always worried she was just going to fall asleep on the back. Eventaully I said "no more!" and we bought her the GS, because I didn't want to ride her on the back of mine anymore.

Her engine used to have some issues. Nothing major but it always bogged out between 5-6k rpm with absolutely no acceleration in that range. It back fired and I swore the engine wasn't any stronger than my old ninja 250. It eventually stalled on her 2 or 3 times when she was out, so she didn't ride it as much. I ended up selling my triumph, and the GS sat in her parents shed for about 3-4 years.

We finally brought it down to the house and I gave it a semi-thorough going over. Pulled the carbs apart and cleaned them, checked the valves, new oil/filter, new battery, cleaned the rust out of the tank and resealed it, repainted the exhaust headers, fixed the top clamp so the speedo isn't held on my a ziptie anymore. I had to re-route a bunch of the cables so they worked right with the clipons under the top clamp.

It took a couple tries but I finally got it started last night and the engine feels much better. I don't know what the previous owner did to it. I'm assuming the carbs were just gunked up.

I've still got a lot of work to do, but I did enough to get it running, which is the main goal. I've got some body work to do, an SV650 rear shock with some lowering links, some gsxr pegs, new fork oil, new brake fluid, need to replace the bulb in the speedo and neutral light, think I'll need some new tires. I just did a loop around the block last night, but I still need to get it insured and inspected before I can actually take it out on the road. It's pretty much like buying a non running bike off of craigslist and having to figure out what's wrong with it, except I was the jerk PO that let it sit for 4 years.

Mary: Just poured the new oil in last night, but like I said, I only got to ride it around the block, maybe after a couple blocks it'll smoothen up, but i'm almost sure we changed the oil before when we were using it, and it still wasn't that great.

I never would've let it get so bad, but after I moved to the city and never rode my bike anymore I figured I was done with bikes. I was perfectly fine for about 2 years, and one day Heather said something about wanting to try to find a scooter, so I started looking around on craigslist and just got sucked right back in.