Hi, I have a 1981 GS1000GL, I am having trouble setting the idle adjustment, I can set the idle adjustment so the bike idles but when I take the bike out on the highway a few miles & come to a stop, the bikes idles to fast, when I adjust the idle down so it won"t idle so fast then the bike idles to slow & wants to die. so I need help. Thanks for your time.

You need to have the choke adjusted so it runs on a fast idle so the engine can warm up or you may need the carb to be rebuild and adjusted properly.

If you need to use choke and there has been a recent clean and/or rebuild. It would be a good idea to check the fuel mixture screw setting. It sounds like it is running a fuel/air mix that is too thin, (lean mixture).

First and formost make sure air filter is clean.Then start bike and warm up engine.with engine warm adjust idle screw(the big screw with spring around it)Turn clockwise to increase and counterclock wise to decrease.with bike idling properly the low speed air adjustment screw (small screw located just above fuel bowl on side of carb)Adjust in small increments 1/16 turns at a time till bike has smooth throttle responce.This screw contols air flow during idle and up to 1/4 throttle.From 1/4 throttle and up the needle setting on plunger inside of carb takes care of 1/4 and up.You usally dont have to mess with needle unless you do upgrades to get more power out of bike.But over time the low speed settings can change due to wear on idle needle and air needle.So thats why you have to make adjustments.If bike still dosent respond or idle correctly I would purchase carb rebuild kit and your problem will be solved.

carbs has to be synced again, I reccomend by a pro, Its a tedious task

Hi it sounds like the bike is set to rich

the idle adjustment needs to be performed warm but the mixture screws at or near the base have springs on then they need turned in all the way and backed out 2 turns then when the vehicle is warm the idle screw is near the linkage also with a spring on it if you have a tach in the car it should its a corvette lol turn the screw in or out until the car idles around 750 to 850 rpm it idles up automatically when cold if your choke is set properlythis should get you where you need to be you may need to adjust mixture screws a little the only proper way to do this is with a vacuum box but you will be in the ballpark anyway with the method i gave you

make sure your turning the idle adjuster to the right

This bike does not have an electronicly controlled idle. there should be idle control screws on the carburators, or one main adjustment. also if the bike as sat for some time you might have dirty pilot jets.