well after 6 months and a complete engine rebuild I started my '00 GS for the first time today.  It's been a good learning experience (lesson #1 - don't ever buy anything with an engine without doing a compression check first) and kind of fun too. 

It didn't go perfectly; it fires up and idles at ~4k and seems to have a small oil leak around the right sparkplug.  Tomorrow I'm going to re-adjust the throttle and choke cables and troubleshoot that leak.  I'm just glad it started up...

-M

Sweeeeet!   

There shouldn't be an oil leak anywhere near the spark plugs.

Glad to hear it!  Sounds like you'll be ready to ride shortly.

You'll find the knowledge you have gained useful in the future, so don't look at it solely from the "hard work" point of view.  Not many people really know what makes their motorcycle go.  If you get stuck on the side of the road you'll know what to do.  Use your experience rebuilding your engine to put together a good tool and parts kit.   

That oil had better be dripping from the valve cover!   

Quote from: corndog67 on June 18, 2006, 08:51:39 PM
There shouldn't be an oil leak anywhere near the spark plugs.

Quote from: GeeP on June 18, 2006, 08:56:08 PM
That oil had better be dripping from the valve cover!   

Yea, it has to be coming from the valve cover right?  There's no way oil could seep past the plug threads.  It was weird b/c I couldn't find the source at first glance, just a small pool in the indentation where the plug is.  The high idle concerns me more (racing along at 4k is not the way I want to break in new rings) but hopefully the cable adjustments will fix it.  I'm going to have to pick up a lunchbox filter too, the stock airbox is a real pain to work with.  It took me 30 minutes to get it back onto the carbs and I'm still not sure it's fully seated. 

-M

out of curiousity, what was compression before and after?
What did you end up having to do? Did you hone the cylinders yoursef? Did you stick with 500 or borred?

Jenya

The right cylinder had no compression when I got it.  Bent intake valve and cracked guide    Both intake valves were also completely crusted over with carbon.  I haven't hooked up the tester yet after the rebuild but both cylinders pass the old finger-over-the-plug-hole test.  I had a shop replace the guide and re-cut the seats.  I replaced both intake valves and lapped in all 4 valves.  Both pistons got new rings and I honed the cylinders with a spring hone I borrowed from Autozone.  I believe the stones were 250 grit. 

-M

Ok, now we're in business!  Despite the nasty weather in East Houston today I managed to get a little quality time with the bike.  After adding some slack to the throttle cable and adjusting the idle screw it's idling comfortably at ~1300 once warmed up.  It sounds strong, and the revs ramp up quickly and drop smoothly back to idle.  I think it's time to celebrate!

There are two small issues.  I've got an exhaust leak at the left cylinder which is probably due to the fact that I didn't bother changing the gaskets.  New gaskets and bolts are on the way.  I also managed to track down that oil leak: it's coming from around one of the copper washers under the head mounting nuts.  Also due to the fact that, again, I didn't bother to replace them.  Replacements for the four external washers are coming too. 

I'm really excited with the way it's worked out.  God willing I'll be able to take my first ride this weekend.