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How's this for a dirty carb? (photo)

Nessism

Nessism

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Got my most recent purchase home yesterday - 1979 GS550E with 780 miles on it. \\:D/ Bought from original owner.

As usual, the carbs need a good clean out. Have to admit though, they are a little more gummy than anticipated.

Slide won't move on two of four carbs. Is it okay to put the carb body with slide in the carb dip? Please tell me yes (it's already soaking). I'll pull the slide out as soon as it loosens up enough to get it out.

IMG_0107.jpg
 
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How does one even get them dirty like that? I mean, would the bike even run with all that gunk in there? Or did the previous owner store the bike in a pond for a while?
 
That is the worst I've ever seen. It looks like the walls of a bat cave.
 
Sure, it's OK to put the slide in. What you don't want to put in 'the dip' is anything that is not metallic.


.
 
marek said:
How does one even get them dirty like that? I mean, would the bike even run with all that gunk in there? Or did the previous owner store the bike in a pond for a while?
Click to expand...

Bike literally sat for 25 years. Petcock was in the Prime position and the tank was bone dry. :evil:](*,)[-( What ever gas there was in the tank must have flowed into the carbs leaving behind that sludge.

Going to need float bowl gaskets and maybe new needle valves and/or seats. Not sure until they soak for a while in the dip. Float are coated (obviously), any suggestions for a safe way to get the slag off? - don't want to dip those.
 
Soak the slides with liberal spray of PB Blaster doit a few time & let it soak if you want them to work. Berrymens will not do it
 
i think your going to need a new set of floats. i would just dump the carbs in carb dip and let them sit for the max time the can says is safe. your looking at all ready replacing all gaskets and o rings.
 
not to be a smart a$$ but i would look on e-bay for a new used set of carbs. personaly i can't see those things ever coming clean enough to run with out headaches.
 
deves3000gt said:
not to be a smart a$$ but i would look on e-bay for a new used set of carbs. personaly i can't see those things ever coming clean enough to run with out headaches.
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Oh come on now! [-X We mustn't have that kind of attitude or the bike will never run. :-D

Carb number one came out of the dip a little while ago and looks fine. \\:D/ Got one of the stuck slides loose also. Two other carbs are soaking as we speak and the last doesn't need it.

Soaked the floats in gasoline for an hour or so and then scrubbed them down with a small brush. Followed up with some carb cleaner, more brushing...and now they look pretty good. One has some pitting on the surface but it seems to "float" the same as the others (dunked them in gas to test).

She will live...or I'll die trying. [-o<
 
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You say the last carb doesn't need a dipping. Do yourself a favor and dip it anyway.

Trust me.
 
SqDancerLynn1 said:
Soak the slides with liberal spray of PB Blaster doit a few time & let it soak if you want them to work. Berrymens will not do it
Click to expand...

Was able to extract one slide by soaking for a while in carb cleaner and then prying up on the slide with a screwdriver - using mucho force. Second carb was much more stubborn; slide budged reluctantly but would not come out. Wound up taking a heat gun to the carb body and once it warmed up, the slide just dropped out. \\:D/
 
hey there nessism,

you seem like the right guy to ask, I'm about clean the carbs for the first time on a newly aquired 550 that's sat for some time, how long do you have to let these parts soak?
 
smagnusen said:
hey there nessism,

you seem like the right guy to ask, I'm about clean the carbs for the first time on a newly aquired 550 that's sat for some time, how long do you have to let these parts soak?
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OK, so I'm not nessism, but I'll give you an answer, anyway.

When I did my first set of carbs, I did exactly what the can said, 15-30 minutes. Had all four carbs done in one night. \\:D/

The joy only lasted until I fought them back into place and found no improvement. :cry:

Took the carbs out again and dipped them for about 2 hours each. Took all day Sunday to get them done and back in.
Still no improvement. ](*,)

Took them off the bike a third time and decided to go overboard. I soaked each one overnight. :shock:
This time, when I got them back in, they worked like a champ.

When I did my second set of carbs, I just went straight to the overnight soak. Works beautifully.
So, I offer my advice: don't soak them for 15-30 minutes as directed, soak them for 15-30 hours.

In the case of your carbs, I think I might soak them overnight, then use a brass-bristled brush and scrub them,
poke a wire through all the jets and passages, then soak them overnight again.


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My opinion is to soak the carbs as long as it takes to get them clean. Be warned though, if you soak too long the metal starts to change colors and gets dark.
 
so where can i get ahold of some of this dip? because i guess i am going to pull the carbs and dip them then make sure everything is set up right. hopefully i can find all the specs and tell how to do it lol
 
Nessism... I've got a set of carbs that look like that :^o (yeah right)...Do ya think that a good shot or two of the carb cleaner spray will get things clean enough that I can just "ride it out"? ;)

Were going to have to see the after photos...just to give the masses an IDEA what carb dipping will do for them. Let me guess... RAN WHEN PARKED!!!! :-D
 
Dave8338 said:
Nessism... I've got a set of carbs that look like that :^o (yeah right)...Do ya think that a good shot or two of the carb cleaner spray will get things clean enough that I can just "ride it out"? ;)

Were going to have to see the after photos...just to give the masses an IDEA what carb dipping will do for them. Let me guess... RAN WHEN PARKED!!!! :-D
Click to expand...

So far the carb bodies are looking good and the slides are all loose now. Floats are clean and “float”, so I think they are all going to be okay. Big concern now is the brass parts, the gunk came out but the surface is pitted and stained. Bit the bullet and ordered some K&L rebuild kits from Z1 Enterprises. From what I’ve heard the reputation of these kits is suspect but I’m hoping to at least use the float needle/seat and the gaskets. Z1 has a stellar reputation so how bad could these kits be?
 
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