GSX400X Impulse

[F5 Dave]

Cables never stretch. . .

You sir have obviously never owned a 1980s Yamaha . I bought some new brake pads for my TT500 only to find once inside they were like new. think the clutch cable had stretched too. Ahh, they don't make 'em like they used to. Thankfully.

I should have read this thread first but my last post was a bit predictable.
CDIs are fine until the Rectifier dies allowing over voltage that kills the CDI & the alternator & the battery. Put a meter over the battery & check that it isn't sticking over 15V when running & not less than say, 13 either. Meter is V.cheap at Dick Smith. Chances are if the bike runs the CDI is ok, but always check the charging cct on an old Suzi. Don't run low on oil, don't use a cheapo or shagged battery & don't use bigger headlight bulb, you have been warned.

I'd strip the carbs & blow through the jets. Never poke wire. Blowing on the fronts top holes at the airbox side will raise the slides telling you the diaphragms are ok hopefully. These are odd carbs as dual, think they are Hitachi, can't remember, but have to dive into a friends one in the next couple of months.

Without the airfilter it will run like crap. If they are foam you can make one from a unifoam kit, but suspect they are paper. Thus std Suzi part best option. K&N won't be. Coils are a bit suspect, but try other things first. Make sure no one has replaced the coil HT lead for pretty car stuff with isn't copper wire.

[imdying]

I have seen the odd cable now and then... even cables off of old cars from the 20s that have no hydraulics, only cables. I stand by my earlier comment. I have never seen a cable stretch... I have however relengthened at a guess a little over one hundred cables for people who didn't heed my advice and had me shorten them because they 'stretched'. I have however seen outers shrink (the spring like outer compresses), whatever the cable activates wear, the linkages wear, the ends slog out, etc etc. It's just mho though, take it for what it is.

[F5 Dave]

Fair call.

Well it does make more sense that the outer compresses, (perhaps the OD slowly becomes a bit bigger as it is forced together) rather than the cable strands stretch, however steel is quite springy up to a point. But the effect is the same in that the free length extends.

However I haven't seen this on any other bikes than mentioned & agree that most adjusting is compensating for some external reason.

[imdying]

I just really hate having to take money off of people twice (it's not going straight into my pocket obviously lol), and because sure as God made little green apples, they'll blame me for shortening it too far. At one stage I just got totally pissed off with people, and redesigned all the cable manufacture job sheets with a section for travel. Then I'd mark down the existing and expected travel of every single job so noone could try and pin it on me.

I did see a neat display somewhere. It was a large croncrete block hanging off of about a 0.7mm cable (pretty damn small). Ruler beside it, length never changed... the guy whos shop it was said he gave the block a swing whenever he walked past just to give it a hand 'stretching'. Apparently he's not a believer either

[Jabez]

Hi, have just brought an '87 impulse & it has two problems:

1, engine is taking ages to warm up & was actually getting colder travelling to work on the motorway! (there is no thermostat & also looks like the flow restricter (have ordered a new one) has been removed by previous owner!).

2, engine is stalling, usually at idle (maybe a symptom of bad CDI?).

[F5 Dave]

Will run badly when over cool. Obviously you have tried adjusting the idle speed up a touch? Would get the cooling sorted out first though. Can tape the rad a touch in cold weather. Are you saying there is no place for a thermostat std? unlikely, would have expected an external one on a suz, but long time since saw an impulse.

[(P)]

hi fellow impulse owners and fans.

I too own a "mighty" impulse.

Mine hasn't given me any problems at all. Great bike with plenty of go.

They're really just a gsxr without fairings.

They are not popular with some on this site, as a few guys have given me shit about my bike.

Go hard guys

[wildpudding]

I agree, awesome engines, make a gsxr250 go particularly well. Though I'm still trying to figure out why one coil won't make any spark, when the coil itself it ok. Anyone an auto electrician here?

Stefan

[bimotabob]

Hi

When I worked at a bike wrecker we always got calls for repulse CDI and Coils.
The motors are "bulletproof" I seen a guy at the cold kiwi try to blow one up.
He held it at redline a lot all through the day but it just wouldn't die!
Not a pretty bike for sure - there are two models one being rare.
Suzuki sold many new here though they were JDM models.
a lot of 80's bikes suffer from Regulator trouble and Suzuki GSXR's give coil trouble so always check.
Boiling batterys are just the start...

Regards
BB

[bimotabob]

Hey stefan,

There may not be any actual tell tale sign of what is faulty unless you know it was overchaging etc - a manuel will and test gear will be the go.
Then you can get the ohms checked against original specs for the coil and the CDI for a start - better still try to borrow the parts from others then you can be 100% sure.
Bikes with 12v igniters will not tolerate high voltage from bad rectifiers.
NC30 hondas were a nightmare if you didn't catch them in time.
Even bike shops struggle with ignition problems - be wary of them.
Most wreckers will not take electrical parts back nor will Suzuki either.

Cheers
BB

[Jabez]

Will run badly when over cool. Obviously you have tried adjusting the idle speed up a touch? Would get the cooling sorted out first though. Can tape the rad a touch in cold weather. Are you saying there is no place for a thermostat std? unlikely, would have expected an external one on a suz, but long time since saw an impulse.

Yip, no thermostat. Went into Coleman's to order one & they showed me the microfiche diagram. One of the workshop guys also confirmed that it doesn't (I can't believe it either! ), it just has a washer type disc that must reduce the water flow! Hopefully, I will get this part tomorrow.
Have the idle set at 1500rpm, so will idle well. It just to plays up for the first few K's in middle of day, then will run fine when warm. But not in the morning, when temp doesn't get above 1/3.
Yes, I have considered taping up 1/3 or so(?) of the radiator, but only have bright yellow gaffa tape!

[barno]

I have a gorgeous Impulse. I find it hard to believe that anyone could not love such a fantastic machine that goes like a cut cat.