GL1000 randomly stalling

[Marco90]

I recently started driving my GL1000 after it has been standing for over 10 years.

I rebuild the carbs and synchronized them and the bike starts and runs fine. However sometimes when the engine is at operating temperature the bike stalls when I stop for a traffic light. I have to keep the throttle open to prevent it, but it runs very irregular during those moments.

It doesn't happen all the time which makes it difficult to find the problem.

[WingAdmin]

I recently started driving my GL1000 after it has been standing for over 10 years.

I rebuild the carbs and synchronized them and the bike starts and runs fine. However sometimes when the engine is at operating temperature the bike stalls when I stop for a traffic light. I have to keep the throttle open to prevent it, but it runs very irregular during those moments.

It doesn't happen all the time which makes it difficult to find the problem.

Check your master (dogbone) fuse. Actually remove it and inspect it. It can develop cracks which open up when it is warm, causing low voltage - and low spark, at low RPM. Because the crack will open and close with different temperatures, the symptom can be intermittent. It could be your problem.

[Marco90]

I replaced the main dogbone fuse. Made a short test run without problems

Will make a next test run tomorrow to see if it is still good.

[SnoBrdr]

I replaced the main dogbone fuse. Made a short test run without problems

Will make a next test run tomorrow to see if it is still good.

You should really replace the whole setup with a modern 30 amp blade type fuse.

[Naked Wing rider]

Hi sorry to but in. But my 79 gl1000 is doing the exact same thing. Where is the dogbone fuse located?

[Fred Camper]

Just to the rear of the battery. The idle stall can also be due to stick sliders. When you rebuilt your carbs, were the sliders buttery smooth. Like could they move without being upside down? Just a bit of a stick can cause a stall on decel.

[Marco90]

You should really replace the whole setup with a modern 30 amp blade type fuse.

That is exactly what I did.
I drove it again today and it did not stall. Looks like this really fixed the problem.

[Marco90]

It seems like the problem has not completely gone away.

The engine sometimes still has the tendency to go very low in rpm. When adjusting the throttle screw the rpm go up a little, but then the engine does not drop in rpm while shifting. I also noticed there is a little lag when hitting the throttle.

Could this be a problem with the idle circuit in the carbs?

The engine is equipped with an electronic ignition kit. I haven't checked the timing yet, but because it something runs fine and the next moment it drops low in rpm I do expect the ignition timing. But I could be wrong

[Marco90]

I noticed something very odd on cylinder 4.
If I remove the screw on the inlet with the engine running, giving it false air, the engine keeps on running like nothing changed.
I can feel the vacuum, but it's like the cylinder is not doing anything.
Spraying some pilot spray also does not have affect.

I checked that there is a spark, so I can't figure out why it's not working.

Removing the other screws on the other cylinders will make the engine stall

[Maz]

Sounds to me like #4 is not firing. Not sure what 'pilot spray' is, but I'm guessing you mean some sort of easy start spray. If that has no effect, I would say the spark plug isn't sparking. It may spark if you remove it and lay it on the engine but that doesn't mean it's sparking when under compression in the engine. Try another plug and carry out a compression test.
Maz

[cfairweather]

You may have a clogged Idle Discharge jet. This it the small tube that sticks up in the carb throat near the the butterfly. I know you cleaned the carbs, but the tiny passages in these tubes are easy to miss and difficult to clean. The result is a cylinder that does not seem to fire at idle. You may be able to unclog them without removing the carbs. First, remove the idle air screws from all four carbs. Next, spray some cleaner in the idle air screw hole. Then blow air into the hole using a rubber tip nozzle. Listen to the sound of the air and you may hear it open up.

[Marco90]

You may have a clogged Idle Discharge jet. This it the small tube that sticks up in the carb throat near the the butterfly. I know you cleaned the carbs, but the tiny passages in these tubes are easy to miss and difficult to clean. The result is a cylinder that does not seem to fire at idle. You may be able to unclog them without removing the carbs. First, remove the idle air screws from all four carbs. Next, spray some cleaner in the idle air screw hole. Then blow air into the hole using a rubber tip nozzle. Listen to the sound of the air and you may hear it open up.

I don't think that's the problem. Because then I would expect the engine to rev up when I spray some combustible spray into the inlet. I'll try to swap some sparkplugs to see if the problem follows or not.

[Marco90]

I switched sparkplug 4 with sparkplug 2.
Now cylinder 2 is not firing.

Looks like I have a defective sparkplug.

[Maz]

I switched sparkplug 4 with sparkplug 2.
Now cylinder 2 is not firing.

Looks like I have a defective sparkplug.

Time for 4 new plugs, I think.
Maz

[Marco90]

I switched sparkplug 4 with sparkplug 2.
Now cylinder 2 is not firing.

Looks like I have a defective sparkplug.

Time for 4 new plugs, I think.
Maz

Looks like it.
To bad I only drove 250km with these..

[SnoBrdr]

I switched sparkplug 4 with sparkplug 2.
Now cylinder 2 is not firing.

Looks like I have a defective sparkplug.

Time for 4 new plugs, I think.
Maz

Looks like it.
To bad I only drove 250km with these..

No warranty where you bought them?

[Marco90]

I do have warranty, they are sending me new plugs.

But I also ordered a set of DR8EIX and installed them today and took it for a drive.

It's like driving a completely different bike. So much more smoother and powerful. And more importantly it did not once stalled

[Maz]

I do have warranty, they are sending me new plugs.

But I also ordered a set of DR8EIX and installed them today and took it for a drive.

It's like driving a completely different bike. So much more smoother and powerful. And more importantly it did not once stalled

Sounds like you have it sorted. Those Iridium plugs are pretty good. A bit expensive but good nonetheless.
Maz

[SnoBrdr]

I do have warranty, they are sending me new plugs.

But I also ordered a set of DR8EIX and installed them today and took it for a drive.

It's like driving a completely different bike. So much more smoother and powerful. And more importantly it did not once stalled

Sounds like you have it sorted. Those Iridium plugs are pretty good. A bit expensive but good nonetheless.
Maz

I've used the Iridium for years and love them yet I've read that a lot of people don't care for them.

Guess why that's why they make more than vanilla ice cream.