Backyard Airbox Hack?

[Munzo]

I recently purchased a 86 550es. Going into it I knew I would need to clean the carbs. So I went to pull the air box to get to the carbs. And here's what I find:

View attachment 10342

Is this some sort of backyard hack to "get some more air" into the engine? I'm guessing I am going to have to find myself a new air box.

 

[madbikebreaker]

Appears so. Wouldn't think that would help much. I have tangled with a few of these. Try to keep it as stock as possible or she's gonna give you fits!

 

[GSX550]

Mine looks like that, except I am also missing the side cover. I don't think it is hack, it is just missing the snorkle section. I think it was a seperate part that could be, but shouldn't be removed.

 

[DanTheMan]

The snorkle is missing. If you can locate another rubber snorkle you'll be fine. Probably have to source another complete airbox though.

 

[Munzo]

Thanks guys.

I thought that was where the snorkel went. Almost looked like it was cut out, the edges are pretty rough.

Guess I'll be looking into getting a replacement.

 

[emjay]

Yeah, it looks like it's a unit. Unfortunatlely it's not available anymore so you'll have to find a used one.

 

[don]

Just getting a new snorkle won't do. That's the same airbox i have on my 83' 550 and i can tell you someone has cut that hole in it. Stock it's only half that size.You will need to get the whole thing if you're going to keep it stock. (Highly recommended) You got the dual 2-barrels like me. Not a bunch of info or aftermarket parts for these ones. If you found someone who raced these particular engines back then you might have a half a chance at getting some performance advice. Other than that, keep it like they made it and tune it to death to get the most from it.

There is a guy in WI that has an 86 I think it is. WAYNESCYCLE.COM I have purchased a few parts from him. Good honest guy. Browse his site for parts bikes and you might find what you need. Good luck.

 

[salty_monk]

I should think that with the right kind of epoxy & plastic with silicon to seal the joints you stand a reasonable chance of making something that will do the job if you really get stuck....

By the way - I would go over the carbs carefully as the jetting & needle positions may have been modified to suit... so if you go back to stock = more problems.

Do you know any history on it? Previous owner report that it ran great or anything?

 

[Calvin Blackmore]

Just getting a new snorkle won't do. That's the same airbox i have on my 83' 550 and i can tell you someone has cut that hole in it. Stock it's only half that size.You will need to get the whole thing if you're going to keep it stock. (Highly recommended) You got the dual 2-barrels like me. Not a bunch of info or aftermarket parts for these ones. If you found someone who raced these particular engines back then you might have a half a chance at getting some performance advice. Other than that, keep it like they made it and tune it to death to get the most from it.

There is a guy in WI that has an 86 I think it is. WAYNESCYCLE.COM I have purchased a few parts from him. Good honest guy. Browse his site for parts bikes and you might find what you need. Good luck.

yup its been haxored
nasty thing to do

look on ebay

 

[Calvin Blackmore]

I recently purchased a 86 550es. Going into it I knew I would need to clean the carbs. So I went to pull the air box to get to the carbs. And here's what I find:

View attachment 10342

Is this some sort of backyard hack to "get some more air" into the engine? I'm guessing I am going to have to find myself a new air box.

get us a tighter pic if yah can
snorkel looks huge on this
its bigger than mine
\http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Suzu...6901607QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

 

[don]

No needle clips on these. Only main jet, pilot jet, and pilot air jet can be replaced. Look for washers or shims under the needles. These needles are almost straight so you'd relly have to shim em a lot to get anything from them.

 

[don]

jetting on mine is

# 1 & 4 main 95
# 2 & 3 main 112.5
pilot # 45
pilot air forgot

needles only adjustable with washers/shims (none on mine)
low mixture screws 2-3/4 to 3-1/2 turns out

float hight .780" to .830"
fuel level .260" from carb base +/- .015

I set mine up to this and it runs nice and strong with all stock stuff. Airbox, filter, exhaust, etc....

 

[Calvin Blackmore]

jetting on mine is

# 1 & 4 main 95
# 2 & 3 main 112.5
pilot # 45
pilot air forgot

needles only adjustable with washers/shims (none on mine)
low mixture screws 2-3/4 to 3-1/2 turns out

float hight .780" to .830"
fuel level .260" from carb base +/- .015

I set mine up to this and it runs nice and strong with all stock stuff. Airbox, filter, exhaust, etc....

112??? my god man should that not be 102.5?

 

[don]

Sorry calvin. Yessssss. FAT fingers........... Thanks!

 

[Calvin Blackmore]

Sorry calvin. Yessssss. FAT fingers........... Thanks!

damn i was goona orde some up and get 20 extra hp
oh well

 

[don]

My bike is COMPLETELY stock except I knocked out the exhaust baffles in the center of the muffler hole because my 75 year old mom said I needed louder pipes. lol It has precise throttle response from idle on up and pulls all the way up to 11,000 RPM no problem. Not a wheel stander, but runs nice.

 

[Munzo]

get us a tighter pic if yah can
snorkel looks huge on this
its bigger than mine
\http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Suzu...6901607QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Thanks for the link. I've been looking at a few of these on ebay trying to figure out what my best bet is. I did find this one: http://tinyurl.com/2vnvda6 which when you factor in shipping ends up being cheaper.


Don, I'll check those measurements against my parts. I have the carbs all torn down and am in the process of rebuilding them. I am almost certain those are the numbers I have but will have to double check to be sure.

Unfortunately I have no background on this bike. I bought it from a guy who had bought it from a Financing Company. He bought it for his 18 year old nephew but thought it would be too much bike for him.

 

[don]

I have had 3 different sets of carbs for my bike. When I put a different set on, I set the float levels to the above settings, all the mixture screws to 3 turns out, and bench synch. Put them on, fill em up, push the button, and vrrroooooom. Every time.

After it's all warmed up.........of corse a proper synch, readjust the mixture screws to highest idle (plus 1/8 turn for comfort), and check fuel level.

Back to your hacked airbox issue. You may be able to get away with simply stretching a peice of panty hose over the hole to limit the air. May be worth the verbal beating from the wife for a try.

I do know that the snorkle goes down into the airbox about half way. Not sure why but I have to guess it has something to do with some fancy vortex distribution, cyclonic action, space/time continuum, flux capacitor, ......................

 

[Munzo]

Back to your hacked airbox issue. You may be able to get away with simply stretching a peice of panty hose over the hole to limit the air. May be worth the verbal beating from the wife for a try.

I do know that the snorkle goes down into the airbox about half way. Not sure why but I have to guess it has something to do with some fancy vortex distribution, cyclonic action, space/time continuum, flux capacitor, ......................

I just went ahead and decided to order an air box off Ebay. Got it for $24 with shipping and should be here either Monday or Tuesday. Now if the rest of my parts would just ship I could get this all back together.