Jetting question on GS850.

[kemmer]

I have a quick question about Jetting. I just bought an 80 GS850. It's missing the airbox, so it's obviously not running properly. I have a lot of work to do on the bike so before I order the dynojet kit, I'd like to get some jets in there that will get me close for now. I'm probably gonna be running pods and straight pipes on it. My question is, will +3 sizes work ok for me? On my GS +3 is 130, right?

One final question, I live in SLC, UT. Will the altitude require different jetting than Houston, which is where I am now?

[boingk]

Hi mate. I had an '85 GS850 with pods and a 4-1 exhaust and it ran well with #140 mikuni mainjets. You may want to order a collection of sizes - say 130/135/140 - that way you can tailor it right to your bike.

I would recommend against running straight, unmuffled pipes as this will negatively affect all but the very top of your rev range - try either your stock system or at least some sort of restriction to help with your torque production.

There will be a minor differnce in jetting for altitude, but should be able to be accounted for by use of the jet needle.

Cheers - boingk

[almarconi]

IMHO the 850 is a real workhorse, great bike with stock exhaust and airbox. It would however, not be my choice to hot rod with pods,pipe and straight exhaust (and did I mention shaft drive). I think you will have an uphill battle getting the bike to run decently. If you are going to attempt it, I would make sure the bike runs well in stock form before trying to mod it.

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. kemmer,

I, too, think that the measly few hp you might get from futzing with all those modifications are not worth the hassle when applied to the GS850G. I just love mine for what it is. You'll find lots of GS850G lovin' on my website. Please stop by for a visit.

I just stopped by to welcome you to the forum in my own, special way.

If there's anything you'd like to know about the Suzuki GS model bikes, and most others actually, you've come to the right place. There's a lot of knowledge and experience here in the community. Come on in and let me say "HOoooowwwDY!"....

Here is your very own magical, mystical, mythical, mind-expanding "mega-welcome". Please take notice of the "Top 10 Common Issues", the Carb Rebuild Series, and the Stator Papers. Now let me roll out the welcome mat for you...

Please click here for your mega-welcome, chock full of tips, suggestions, links to vendors, and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I've been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. Don't forget, we like pictures! Not you, your bike!

Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[kemmer]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I would get it going again in stock form except that I got it without the airbox and one of the pipes has rusted completely off. I've been doing a little research in to building straight pipes and it seems people have good luck running these: http://www.bigcitythunder.com/pages/...rmonsters.html I think I'm gonna do that, along with pods. I know it may not run as well as stock, but the look and sound are as important if not more important to me on this build.

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Don't get me wrong, I've seen a few GS850s around this forum with pipes and pods, etc, that run just fine. All I'm saying is be prepared to tweak and adjust and test and tweak and adjust and test some more until you have it just right. There are a few carb gurus in the forum who may be persuaded to help. I think they like a challenge.

Keep us informed.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[ANON888CAFE]

its a battle!

[blowerbike]

there is no black magic going on.
i have never everrrrrrrrr had to dick with a jet kit like some of the stories i hear around here.
you start with know good carbs that have a 100% stock pilot jetting.
you then purchase the correct jet kit and follow the instructions 100%.
you then go ride and enjoy your motorcycle.
is that to much to ask????
i did a 1980 GS850L..
pipe and a st.3 jet kit.........
one shot...good carbs to start with...stock jetting...no second/third/fifth guessing and it pulled GREAT...smooth ect...
the old dude was HAPPY!!
the last time i checked.....i wasn't a rocket scientist.
a lot of problems are self induced..uhuh

[Octain]

By the time you spend the dough on just jets you might as well get the DJ kit and do it right.
I have an 82 850 with K&N's, and what I think is a Kerker header, some kinda goofy gutted muffler and the DJ kit. I read the instructions carefully and did the jet mods at the same time I did the carb cleaning(rebuild). All this before the bike ever ran correctly. The kits come with more than just main jets.
Mine also had a junk airbox and the pipe was on it when I got it.
I have yet to sync and the bike runs fantastic and witout a bunch of on/off with the carbs. It did take a few times to tweak and still may do some more tweaking as its running rich. But it sure does run good and is an absolute hoot to ride.

I didint do any of this hoping to gain any power(whoopie). I did it cause the airbox was trash and I simply like the way the pods and the header look.

[Octain]

there is no black magic going on.
I have never everrrrrrrrr had to dick with a jet kit like some of the stories i hear around here.
You start with know good carbs that have a 100% stock pilot jetting.
You then purchase the correct jet kit and follow the instructions 100%.
You then go ride and enjoy your motorcycle.
Is that to much to ask????
I did a 1980 gs850l..
Pipe and a st.3 jet kit.........
One shot...good carbs to start with...stock jetting...no second/third/fifth guessing and it pulled great...smooth ect...
The old dude was happy!!
The last time i checked.....i wasn't a rocket scientist.
A lot of problems are self induced..uhuh

werd!.......