With the bike running, I pull the left spark plug wire out and it kills the bike.

Plug it back in, start it up, then pull the right spart plug wire out and it kills the bike.

Is this indicative of some kind of problem?  Should the bike be able to run on one cylinder?

depends on about four billion different things.  A healthy bike should be able to run, but it'll run like crap.

Yes, the GS  will start and run on one cylinder, I just got over a damp weather one cylinder problem. The hills are a real challange getting a GS home on one cylinder.

Mine chugs right along on one cylinder-either side

Damn... I wonder what it could mean.

I cant really tell if my bike is running right or not.  It's my only means of transportation so I'm paranoid that it's gonna die on me some time and I'll be screwed.

What's your idle at???  If I pull a plug and then lower the idle it dies   ( dont ask how I found out,  I got a little inquisitive after my rejet )

An ultra lean condition might do it too

There's really too many factors to diagnose the problem without knowing of any other symptoms

Idle is at 1200 or so...

I do kind of suspect that it might be lean.  When I blip the throttle to 1/4 turn, it takes a little while to get back to idle.

It also died on me twice since I got it back from the shop.  Twice out of about 20 rides.  Once while i was going 40mph with the throttle open and once with the throttle closed and clutch in coming to a stop.  Other than that it's been fine.

Check for leaks around the boots where the airbox mates to the carbs, common place for cracked rubber and leaks, thus a lean condition.

Now you got me wanting to go outside and start my bike, then pull a plug wire..

Quote from: NiceGuysFinishLast on May 06, 2007, 09:51:05 PM
Check for leaks around the boots where the airbox mates to the carbs, common place for cracked rubber and leaks, thus a lean condition.

Now you got me wanting to go outside and start my bike, then pull a plug wire..

How does that work again?   You spray wd40 there and if rpms increase, then its leaking?  Or is that something else?

Thanks

If it causes a change then there's a leak...not just speeds up.

Don't use WD-40! 

That being said, get some starting fluid. As far as vacuum leak testing, it does exactly what the WD-40 does (seals small leaks) and has the added benefit of evaporating almost immediately and not leaving WD-40 all over your bike. 

Thanks.. I suppose thats something I can pick up from kragen?

You can pick up starting fluid at Wal-Mart, much less an auto parts store.