Hey All,

Got back early from my weekend excursion, and was hoping to get some riding in, that is If I can pin down why my GS still does not want to run on both cylinders.


I've checked:

The carb float bowl (turned the screw a little and had some gas dribble out)
I have spark, plugs were brand new last fall.

Somehow gas does not seem to be getting from the carb to the cylinder.

The cylinder that is not firing stays bone cold, and the spark plug is dry, so I know it's not a case of one cylinder being flooded out.

The last time I had the bike out it was running the best it ever has been since winter, and I didn't hear any strange mechanical sounds or anything.

I really don't  want to tear into the carbs, but it sounds like that is next.

Suggestions? tips? anything?

Does the spark plug actually spark? It could be a crack in the wiring. Ooh wait, you say you have sparks. Is the exhaust port blocked for that cylinder? No leakage at that side of the engine? Did you clean the carbs? It happens the carbs get dirty because of rust coming from the fuel tank. I would clean your carbs. That should solve the problem. Use fuel or benzine to clean them and use compressed air (you know what I mean) to clean all the small area`s of the carbs. Good luck. By the way, you have a great manual on GStwin about how to clean your carbs. My site also has a manual about that: http://www.bikepower/net => modification manuals => engine related => stage 3 jet kit (contains a part on how to clean the carbs).

You know,   you just mentioned something that might be of use.

When I remove the spark plug wire from the cylinder that is *NOT* firing I get some nice current flowing through my arm.

When I pull the spark plug wire that *IS* firing I don't get anything.

So.....   could it be possible that although my dead cylinder is getting spark when I ground the plug against the side of the cylinder, I'm not getting spark when it's all connected?

Quote from: spdracer75
So.....   could it be possible that although my dead cylinder is getting spark when I ground the plug against the side of the cylinder, I'm not getting spark when it's all connected?

Definately  - a bad plug wire would give you a dead/intermittent side.  If you get "tickled" by the voltage it is leaking out somewhere - could be a small pinhole or crack.  Bike plug wires are often expensive

Well,  I think on  my next day off I'll be swapping plug wires and see if the dead cylinder comes to life.

I doubt plug wires for a GS are more expensive than having the carbs or upper vavlve train rebuilt.  So I'll take plugs over that any day.


Will keep everyone posted.