Engine cutting out under load ... no mid range or power in gear

[2crazy2run]

I bought a 2002 GS from a person who was frustrated. The pros (several) all say it needs carb(s) ... one guy said the atomizers were different sizes in carbs.
After realizing tank petcock was off, I finally got bike cranked and idling with slight choke. The engine revvedd well but busted(skipped) a bit as I revved it but more or less sounded good. I put it in gear, as it was warm now, and it seemed to lose most of its power and would barely pull it self around. In neutral it would idle and rev smoothly but the warmer it got, the weaker it acted in gear. Eventually, it would idle well, but cutoff as soon as I put it in gear ....it seemed to shutoff as soon as the neutral light went off, before the gear actually engaged.
I am an old dirt track car racer .... in my experience, electrical issues show up as things heat up. Could this be an electrical problem .... coils? Can any of you motorcycle guys help me? I dont want to put on carbs and still have a problem.

[The Buddha]

Electrical problems are related to heat, not always to rpm, especially load or no load - 6k in neutral or 6k with 600 lb of fat people and gear is nearly the same to your electrical system. Carburetion OTOH - depends on throttle position, 6k @ idle is 1/8th throttle. With 600 lb in 6th gear its full throttle. So you are likely looking at a carb check.

BTW you see if you're losing a cyl @ rpm ? It wont eliminate carbs entirely, but it could be electrical in that case.

You can put pics up - especially the slides - I suspect you have a tiny rip in 1.

You in the US ? send it to me I'll look it over and let you know.

It can also be other things - floats too high, wrong mains (they need to be way wrong and way bigger to create your problem) ...

Cool.
Buddha.

[2crazy2run]

Thanks Buddha. After a few laps around the yard this morning, I am leaning heavily in the carb problem direction .... choke gave some power, but it was very erratic .... hard to control rpm .... even wanted to run away (rpm) at half choke... it is engine seemed to be begging for fuel and only increasing choke got it supplied

[The Buddha]

Lean problems show up on steady throttle. But there is a couple of ways it can be isolated.

If its acting up when opening throttle where it responds by accelerating, but its weak and soppy its rich.

If its lean, it will misfire upon opening the throttle. But it could well make a good bit of power and run well till you get to the steady throttle stage.

So lean misfire not included lean problems show up at steady throttle. You may be rich.
Now how does a GS get rich - yea I'd like to know too.
But, If someone jetted it for K&N and pipe, and went back to air box. Yea that is a possibility.

Cool.
Buddha.