Rode about 120 hard miles through Malibu last Sunday.  RPM's were often between 6 and 9k rpms in the corners, between 4 and 7k on the straights.  About 60 degrees all day.

About halfway through the ride, when coming to a stop and downshifting with the clutch lever pulled in, the bike's idle would drop to below 1k rpms and then the engine would cut off.  Happened probably 5-10 times, not sure exactly.  Each time, it was no problem to start her right up, and take off.  While riding, I had no problems with stuttering (the bike, not me), or loss of power.  She ran like a champ.

When I had a chance during the ride, I reached under and adjusted the idle screw so it idled at about 1200 rpms again.  I'm pretty sure everything was cool after that, no more stalling with the clutch pulled in.  BTW, it would only stall while almost stopped or while waiting for a light to turn.  So, it didn't happen while going 50 for instance, only at a stop, or at just a few miles per hour.

Weather permitting, I got my first track day this Monday and I'm wondering if the bike is OK, or if I'd be smart to check it out further or even take it to the trusted local shop.  Do I have anything to be worried about?

Also, I noticed a small nail in the middle of my rear tire (only about 1000 miles on it).  I'd be cool to patch a car tire, but I don't want to take any chances with the bike tire.  

Is it a no-brainer to replace the tire if it turns out the nail punctured all the way through?  Does anyone patch a motorcycle tire?  If I'm doing a track day, I don't want a patched rear tire do I?  It's a BT-45 if it matters.

Thanks for any help.

Stalling when hot ... Have you rejetted ... if so screw in the air screw 1/4 turn ... if not ... check float level ... I believe one of them is high ...
Nail in tire ... I put inner tube in it ... but replace it cos you are riding the thing harder than I would ... you'd most likely melt the tube to the tire ...
Cool.
Srinath.

I'm pretty sure everything's stock, so you're thinking the float level is high on one or both sides?

For a track day, I don't think this would be a problem, cuz I won't be coming to a stop until I pull into the pit.  If the float level is a little high, when it's hot, it's not a big deal for now, right?  Or is it?  No damage being done?

I don't have a place to work on the bike, but I'm willing to try to do this myself.  After I take the carbs off, then what?  How do I change the float level.  Yeah, I'll do a search, thanks for any tips.

Ian

Don't patch the tire get Ride-On.  I used it on my first tire on the GS.
Got 6 more miles out of the tire.  I pickedup a small screw.
The stuff does not freeze and does not solidify so it does not throw your tire out of balance.  I had it in the tire part of the summer and all winter.
Mike

Here is the link.

http://www.ride-on.com/products.htm

well, talked to my trusted guy at the shop, he said since it stopped stalling once I adjusted the idle back up to 1200, then it should be fine.  Said it was common to need to adjust the idle over time, butterfly valves stretch and what not, something like that.

New BT-45 tire installed, balanced, lube chain for $138.  That seems to be in the ballpark.

can't wait to get space to work on the bike.  I learned how to work on bicycles by taking  one completely apart, degreasing, repacking hubs and bottom brackets with new bearings.  Of course, I never did get the shifters back right.  hmmm....

Not sure I should start taking the GS apart, unless I do it on srinath's driveway   :mrgreen:

Thanks for the help.

good thing you got a new tire-tech inspection at track would not have allowed nail in tire or a patch if it was visible...

I have good news:

I pulled the "nail" out, and it turned out to be more like a very small tack.  About 3/8" or so and very narrow.  Once I pulled it out, you could barely see the hole, which seemed to close right up.  I put some spit on the hole, and it didn't seem to be leaking.  I checked the pressure, at 34 psi.  I'll see how it does overnight, then take it for a ride asap to see how it does once heated up.

Does this seem like a decent plan?  I mean, if it didn't puncture the tire, no harm done, right?   :dunno:

just a tack, not all the way thru? run it. it'll be fine

not quite a tack, but a very small nail, on top of the tread, almost brand new tires.

Yeah, if it doesn't leak, should be fine.

Quote from: hairballwell, talked to my trusted guy at the shop, he said since it stopped stalling once I adjusted the idle back up to 1200, then it should be fine.  Said it was common to need to adjust the idle over time, butterfly valves stretch and what not, something like that.

<snippage>

Not sure I should start taking the GS apart, unless I do it on srinath's driveway   :mrgreen:

Thanks for the help.

"Butterfly valves stretch" >>> OK lets chalk one more for "mechanic stoned at work ... " ... Only thing that is wear dependent ... floats get higher ... the rest all shouldn't change ... With time you might start sucking air at the butterfly shaft ... but I've only heard  of that ... never seen it happen.
So You want me barking orders at ya while you fix stuff huh ... OK I can manage that ... Call me ... and I'll start screaming, and you can take the bike apart ...  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:
Cool.
Srinath.

Ian and I need a driveway.  we can share it, just need someone to donate it.   I got valves to adjust and no place to do it!

As for the shop....  They're good people there.  I know they're not trying to intentionally lead him astray if they're wrong.    For some reason it just seems mechanics don;t know crap about this bike.