GSF250V 99mdl, tapping noise, no power down low? - Does anybody know the valve's

[Booki]

Gday guys,
First off, i would like to introduce myself to the forum!
My name is Ben, im 20 years old and i love riding motorbikes!!
I currently have a 2004 YZ125 (Dirtbike) and a 1999 GSF250V.

Now...this is where my rant starts, if you would like to skip it just read the starred points below :P
My GSF250V, to me, feels underpowered and doesn't appear to be running as well as it should.
It has no balls what so ever down low, but once the vvt kicks in it feels fine, running how it should i would imagine. I have had one other road bike before which was a 1989 CBR250R, which would leave my bandit for dead :(

It also doesn't seem to want to idle while cold, even when its been running for a little you have to keep your eye on it. Can be annoying at the lights..Also i can hear a tapping noise coming from the engine.

I have gotten a few opinions and some people say it could be the valves, cam chain tensioner or carby tuning :\ Also my local bike shop said to me "its running on 3 cylinders mate, i bet that thing wont even skin a cat" Which i thought he was right because well...it really is gutless :|

I have no idea what to do. I have done all the basics, checking for spark, changed all the spark plugs, oil change, oil filter, cleaned out the carby.
Also my taco meter stuffs up at random times, it just doesn't read any revs. But when i give it a nice little firm tap it springs back to life, and when the bike is running i can take out the key  



So i guess to sum it up after reading my massive rant...

* Bike is running poorly (Might be considered running ok to others but i guess i am anal about how my machines run)
* Bike key just flops out, doesn't stay in the ignition, can i just get any replacement ignition? ie http://cgi.ebay.com.au/SUZUKI-REPLACMENT-MOTORCYCLE-IGNITION-SWITCH-KEYS-/170529025931?pt=AU_Motorcycle_Parts_Accessories
* Tacho meter doesn't work at random times, i give it a firm tap and it starts working again


I have posted up some videos so hopefully it will give people a better idea, so i can start to enjoy riding my bandit!  

Youtube Videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7fXO0qlC9g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXSd4WSOBB0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTfYuVhqaNA

Hope you guys can help me out :)

[Booki]

Thanks for the welcome  :

Hmmm ive been told that to, offload it to a L plater ha ha, but id rarther not, unless i advertised it cheap.

What compression reading were you getting from your cylinders? Has yours done many km's?

I started it up before and it was ideling fine, how random, i think my idle issue is carby related along with the crappy bottom end throttle response.

I turned down the idle really low and you can blantently hear the "tapping" noise i was describing. But this brings me to another question...does the bandit have adjustable type tappit valves? or are they shim and bucket design where you have to purchase shims. If they are just adjustable that should work out well!

I plan to take off the rocket cover tomorrow morning with dad and see what we can find. Ill take some pics for you too! Do you know if we need to replace the rocket cover gasket if i take it off as well?

[Booki]

Ok, i have set myself up a plan.

* Check the float level in the carb. I think i remember reading it should be at 15mm? Someone please verify
* Check the valve clearance's, (does the coolant have to be drained on a 1999 GSF250V?)
* Sync up the carbs.
* Adjust air fuel mixture screw as best as i can (Is there one on every carb? Or just one that controls them all  ?)

Have to do a bit more research as i think i have the general carb tuning idea down, just if each carb has there own screw. How the hell am i suppose to tune it ?! Or is that what carb balancing does...I was reading this and it sounded pretty straight forward, http://atv.off-road.com/atv/tech/carburetor-adjustment-amp-troubleshooting-series-part-1-dialing-in-the-idle-circuit-18981.html

But seeing as this is a bike with 4 carbs... *confused*

EDIT: Found this link that i think may be useful to others http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http://www1.synapse.ne.jp/s-hara/bandit/index.html

[Booki]

Took the tank off...and realised that the coolant lines go straight into the rocker cover...and the thermostat is there...doh! So much for a quick inspection.
I ended up leaving it till next weekend, plus even if i do take it off and inspect it.

Are the valves on the VVT GSF250V Adjustable or do i need to replace the shims?

And with clearance's there is a page on the FAQ stating some clerance's but with a small search on the internet i found that other people were quoting different clearances :\ So thats confusing!

Does anybody 100% know what the clearance's are for the GSF250V 1999 model with a VVT engine?

Also thinking of buying a carb balancer as that job seems quite easy, found the screws that i need to turn. Wondering though, is there a fuel screw on the gsf250v? if so is it on every carb or is there one that controls the lot?

[Booki]

Just a bit of a update on the situation.
Took everything off, took some snaps of the valves.
Ends up being the valves have two types of adjustment.

Ones you can adjust, others require shims for adjustment.
Tightened the adjustable ones which i believe are the exhaust valves to 0.20mm

The tapping noise is much much quieter now, but there is still a noise which i believe are the shims. Bike also idled better and felt more responsive.

A carb balance is still in order but i may not bother until i do the shims.

Also the previous owner had used a gasket type sealent, which i did not have so now a gasket is every so slightly leaking, can anybody recommend a particular sealant they have found effect?