I think this could be an important message for all people that are running through an engine reassembly for GS models after 1998.
I say this because I found here on the forum some wrong information (also if they seemed logical) and I write this to avoid other people to go into the same mistake.
Models after 1998 (I've a 2005 one) have only ONE pickup coil, while previous ones have 2 pickups.
The timing for the models with 2 pickups must be done aligning the |RT mark on the LEFT pickup, and this cause |LT to be alligned on the right one.
The models with 1 pickup only instead must be done aligning the |RT mark on the single pickup (the right one)!
Here on the forum I read in different threads that in case you've a single pickup it's correct to align the |LT with that pickup, but it's ABSOLUTELY wrong!
I was reassembling my bike from scratch (see here: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=45697.0 (http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=45697.0)) and, since on the Haynes manual there are no reference for models with 1 pickup only (it arrives until 1997 model), I went through the forum until I found some message where people wrote that the right way was what I wrote upper as wrong.
I did it.
The engine won't start.
I checked the spark plugs: they were completely DRY.
So I unmounted and checked the carbs.
Remount them and try again to start the engine: no results.
Then I checked another thing.... Discovering that now I've an engine that try to suck from the exhaust and blows from the carbs >:( >:( >:(
Luckily this error doesn't compromise the engine, since you simply revert the order of timing, but the valves don't touch the pistons, but anyway is something very very annoying...
I found the original Suzuki manual (until model 1998) and I found, in one of the last addendum for latest model, at the very end of the manual itself, that the rotor has been modified TOO!
Look here:
(http://images1.fotoalbum.alice.it/v/www1-1//191/191421/339399/SignalGenerator-or.jpg)
So, take care guys... Now I've to loose again not less than 3 hours to fix this, don't do the same!
Best regards,
Alex - Milano - Italy
Ooooops! :D
Good catch! Thanks for the detailed post with diagrams and everything.
My 02 GS500 has 2 pickup coils same as my 97 had. The change to 1 pickup came with the 04 F model GSs with electric tach.
01-02 signal generator:
http://www.mrcycles.com/fiche_image_popup.asp?fveh=2102§ion=92675&year=2002&make=Suzuki&category=Motorcycles&dc=792&name=SIGNAL+GENERATOR
04-06 signal generator:
http://www.mrcycles.com/fiche_image_popup.asp?fveh=7247§ion=300560&year=2004&make=Suzuki&category=Motorcycles&dc=792&name=SIGNAL+GENERATOR
Just checked and see that GenTLe is in Italy. Could be the change from 2 pickups to 1 pickup was done earlier on EU models?
Quote from: gsJack on March 04, 2009, 07:26:48 AM
Just checked and see that GenTLe is in Italy. Could be the change from 2 pickups to 1 pickup was done earlier on EU models?
Hi Jack,
I think it's something related to anti-pollution changes Suzuki did in the engine. Maybe in California (for example) it was in 1998, in EU later on...
Effectively, the E-04 model (written in the image I posted) refers to French version.
BTW in case you've a single coil, act in the way I described, regardless of the MY ;)
Ciao, Alex