Topic: This is typical of stuff that happens to me....

[fmctm1sw]

A while back I came across a sub 3000 mile Suzuki that a friend got from someone in a storage shed.  This was supposed to be the big flip/money maker.  I already have someone working on getting me a registration I can use to get a title. 

The clutch was really hard to pull and I figured the plates were all gummed up.  I got around to looking at it yesterday and drained the oil.  My immediate thought was, "Wow, that's some really thin oil."  It came out so fast it overflowed my oil change container.  And then I thought, "Hmmm, that smells an awful lot like gas." Yep, gas...     and it was all over my garage floor.  Took hours to clean up.

... and clutch plates that come apart in your hand...

[ekpent]

Does that petcock have, or was left on a prime position ?

[70CB750]

I heard of 2 strokes filling crankcase with gasoline, never 4 stroke. I guess there is a first time for everything.

[FunJimmy]

Probably a combination of stuck float valves and punched through pistons.

[Don R]

The engine could be sound. I've seen that before. If it wasn't run like that it might not be so bad.

[fmctm1sw]

Does that petcock have, or was left on a prime position ?

The petcock was the first thing I looked at.  There is a "on" "res" and "pri"  pri is where it was when I looked and I hadn't done anything to it since I got it.

[MoMo]

I have had quite a few bikes with motors filled with gas and oil but none with a clutch like that.  I usually clean the carbs, check valves timing etc,, refill with fresh oil and filter, get it running and change the oil/filter.  Ride it for 50 to 100 miles and change oil again....Larry

[scottly]

Does that petcock have, or was left on a prime position ?

The petcock was the first thing I looked at.  There is a "on" "res" and "pri"  pri is where it was when I looked and I hadn't done anything to it since I got it.

The prime position is the same as on, on the old CBs, and the on position only flows fuel when the motor is running and producing vacuum to the diaphragm. If you ran completely out of gas, you would have to crank the motor forever to allow enough fuel into the bowls for the motor to start, so the prime feature was added to some vacuum petcocks.
As far as leaky carbs flooding crank-cases, it used to happen on my buddy's XR500 on a regular basis, as he often forgot to shut the petcock off. He joked that his case had to be really clean inside, since it was flushed out so often.    

[Don R]

 I found 1/4" inline plastic gas valves at Carquest. I bought 2 of them and 2 filters for my xs850 for under $20. If I ever trust the vac petcocks I might take them off. So far they are both holding perfectly but I feel better knowing the auxillary valves are off.

[ekpent]

Does that petcock have, or was left on a prime position ?

The petcock was the first thing I looked at.  There is a "on" "res" and "pri"  pri is where it was when I looked and I hadn't done anything to it since I got it.

The prime position is the same as on, on the old CBs, and the on position only flows fuel when the motor is running and producing vacuum to the diaphragm. If you ran completely out of gas, you would have to crank the motor forever to allow enough fuel into the bowls for the motor to start, so the prime feature was added to some vacuum petcocks.
As far as leaky carbs flooding crank-cases, it used to happen on my buddy's XR500 on a regular basis, as he often forgot to shut the petcock off. He joked that his case had to be really clean inside, since it was flushed out so often.    

Yep - Scott explained the prime position on the petcock very well.

[fmctm1sw]

Does that petcock have, or was left on a prime position ?

The petcock was the first thing I looked at.  There is a "on" "res" and "pri"  pri is where it was when I looked and I hadn't done anything to it since I got it.

The prime position is the same as on, on the old CBs, and the on position only flows fuel when the motor is running and producing vacuum to the diaphragm. If you ran completely out of gas, you would have to crank the motor forever to allow enough fuel into the bowls for the motor to start, so the prime feature was added to some vacuum petcocks.
As far as leaky carbs flooding crank-cases, it used to happen on my buddy's XR500 on a regular basis, as he often forgot to shut the petcock off. He joked that his case had to be really clean inside, since it was flushed out so often.    

Yep - Scott explained the prime position on the petcock very well.

Yeah, I kind of figured as much when I saw that "pri" on it.  I'm going to get some clutch plates and get it running and see what happens.

[750cafe]

Make certain the the petcock that you have shuts of in the RUN position if it is not getting any engine vacuum. It is not at all unusual for these GS model petcocks to fail after thirty years.
Go figure.
Scrub the friction plates down with some brake cleaner and then allow them to soak in motor oil (diesel preferably) over-night and they will be fine.

Eric  (Currently owns more than 20 of these GS Suzuki's)

[HondaMan]

I heard of 2 strokes filling crankcase with gasoline, never 4 stroke. I guess there is a first time for everything.

It was quite common on the old CB350 twins, too. Their rings seldom seated well and the operators were often novices, leaving the gas on all the time. If the engine wasn't hydraulically locked on one piston or the other and the tank was empty in Spring, the crankcase was full...

This reminds me of a story of a stuck engine, though: it was hydraulic-ly stuck from a leaking petcock. I told my Jr. wrench to remove the sparkplugs and kick it over (outside, please) to try to clear it out. He pulled the plugs, rolled the bike out the shop door, and proceeded to WAIL on the kickstarter just as the store Manager walked out the door toward him. The old, smelly gas shot out the sparkplug hole nearest the building, hit the Manager right in the face. (I almost fell on the floor, never laughed that hard in years!)

Later, another Store Manager, and a stuck Harley piston (rusty) combined for an even better one, but I told that before, so it's around here somewhere.

[fmctm1sw]

I heard of 2 strokes filling crankcase with gasoline, never 4 stroke. I guess there is a first time for everything.

It was quite common on the old CB350 twins, too. Their rings seldom seated well and the operators were often novices, leaving the gas on all the time. If the engine wasn't hydraulically locked on one piston or the other and the tank was empty in Spring, the crankcase was full...

This reminds me of a story of a stuck engine, though: it was hydraulic-ly stuck from a leaking petcock. I told my Jr. wrench to remove the sparkplugs and kick it over (outside, please) to try to clear it out. He pulled the plugs, rolled the bike out the shop door, and proceeded to WAIL on the kickstarter just as the store Manager walked out the door toward him. The old, smelly gas shot out the sparkplug hole nearest the building, hit the Manager right in the face. (I almost fell on the floor, never laughed that hard in years!)

Later, another Store Manager, and a stuck Harley piston (rusty) combined for an even better one, but I told that before, so it's around here somewhere.

That is freaking hilarious...  I guess I better check that little twin I have too   

[Syscrush]

There is nothing more expensive than a free bike!!!

[Don R]

There is nothing more expensive than a free bike!!!

A free dog can run a close second but this is true.

[70CB750]

There is nothing more expensive than a free bike!!!

A free dog can run a close second but this is true.

We got a free horse few years back, I think it is on the level with free bike.

[fmctm1sw]

I don't plan on a build thread for this but I figure I'll at least update it.  I got new clutch plates for it and cranked it over and got the oil pressure up.  I didn't have spark on 1/4 and it appears the igniter is malfunctioning.  Apparently, it's a pretty common issue.  I took the advice of some GS guys and bought a Dyna S ignition.  We'll see what happens when I get it.