A noisy death rattle / carb snot

[tigercub]

Greeting from Ontario Canada. I have been following this forum for a few months and enjoyed the learning!

I have been given a 1980 Gl1100 Interstate and have been trying to get it back in street-able condition. The history of the bike is a little uncertain although it seems to have sat outside for a least 3 or 4 yrs. I stripped the bags and faring off so I could see what was what better. So far I have replaced timing belts, set tappets, oil, filter, coolant, checked gas tank, replaced gas filter and fuel pump….so far so good….I have 150 to 160 compression on all 4 cylinders, and spark where needed. So…when trying to start not a peep, plugs were dry… no fuel delivery. With the carbs in place I unscrewed the float bowl screws and what came out was greenish fuel!! I pulled the carb rack and took off all the float bowls to find a greenish sludge plugging up the float needles on all 4 carbs so that was the no fuel problem.
I know I’m into a carb rebuild but my question is this….I was able to get the engine to run for a short burst by spraying “quickstart” ether down the common throat. While running, the engine sounded very smooth with no unusual noises. However, when the fuel ran out and the engine was dyeing it made a most horrible rattling/knocking noise as it came to a stop. The noise seemed to emanate from the rear case of the engine where the clutch is located. Is this engine worth an extensive carb overhaul? Only to find the engine has major internal issues? Thanks so much for your anticipated and most welcome thoughts!

[DenverWinger]

I doubt anything major wrong, as that shot of fuel was running out and engine dying it was probably only firing on a couple cylinders. These 4 cylinder wing engines rattle like a bucket of bolts if it isn't firing on all four, it's just the primary chain slapping from uneven power.

I wouldn't be afraid of it....

[Maz]

+1 on that.
When I first heard one of these running on 2 or 3 cylinders, I was convinced it was scrap. As soon as all 4 were firing properly, it sounded super smooth.
Maz

[tigercub]

Thank you Guys. I had read that the motor "Knocks" if the carbs are not synchronized properly but experiencing this situation was much noisier than I thought it might be. I suppose the fact that when I first sprayed the quickstart in the air box the motor ran super smooth ....only as it died due to lack of fuel did the noise exist. Now to rebuild those carbs....is Randakk"s kit still the only way to go? For a Canadian it equates to over 300 Canadian dollars !