1980 gs550 not starting

[Geo]

I had each carb soaking in parts cleaner for 24+ hours.
The carbs were completely disassembled except for the pilot air screw ( it was caped and..I did not realize it was their.)
I used different thin wires to clean every hole( I hope).

Checked the float height and reassembled with new o rings

I tried to start the bike with the filter on ,then off. I sprayed starting fluid into the filter housing with the filter off ( ran for several seconds)

When the bike did not start I removed the carbs and drilled out the caps (yes I was VERY careful) removed the air screws and sprayed the holes and wire cleaned them,reinstalled the air screws 2 turns out.

It did not seem to make much difference,the bike just cranks. ( will run for several seconds with starting fluid)

The inline filter is made for motorcycles that have gravity fed fuel systems (Filter element is sintered brass)
Not sure what you mean by bench sync .Their is a very small opening between the throttle valve and carb body on all 4 carbs.

My thought is since the bike runs with starting fluild my problem are the carbs.So, what in the carbs would cause this problem.
Do I have to take them apart again and soak them for 48 hours.
I know I am missing something , just don,t know what.

Thanks

[Skaat]

I was in your shoes last summer. I am completely new to this site and bikes in general. I did everything you did with the carbs, still wouldn't start. I had a friend of a friend who has been fixing bikes forever take a look at it. In my case, the timing was out of whack - i wasn't there when he fixed it, but it starts now. I haven't yet checked my valve clearances as recommended by many on this site, but plan on doing so next season. hope that helps!!

-Skaat

[tom203]

"When the bike did not start I removed the carbs and drilled out the caps (yes I was VERY careful) removed the air screws and sprayed the holes and wire cleaned them,reinstalled the air screws 2 turns out."

You also said the carbs were very gummed up.Since the air screws were left in during your soaking, the cleaner might not have made it up the little passages to the carb throat. Sticking a wire thru now ain't going to clean the holes down to the fuel bowl. These passages ( and the enrichment system) have to let fuel flow.

[GabrielGoes]

just read the whole thing, sitting for 15 years? jeeze thats exciting having it just given to you!!... well as others said do a compression check, etc., check for sparks on each plug... get the right size hose and fuel filter especially, i have not seen anywhere except 2 posts below me about points and condensors and the timing.. get that straightened out first... my bike cranked and cranked and started with easy start spray etc.. would barely run and eventually it wouldnt fire up... my problem was points/condensors and the timing issue, the bike was brand new again..

[Geo]

Well I think in the next couple of days I will double check the spark , check the valve adjustments and wave the magic rubber chicken over the engine. The bike has solid state ignition( no points not sure about condenser )

Oh what fun.......................

[Big T]

Sounds like you have a good grasp of what the problem is, just not where it is

It is the carbs from what you describe. Give them another cleaning, your enrichener circuit is not working

Check in the carb section on BassClif's site for the bench sync instructions

[tkent02]

It is the carbs from what you describe. Give them another cleaning, your enrichener circuit is not working

What he said, did you dip the float bowls themselves? There is a passage in each bowl which feeds fuel to the enrichment circuit. It goes from the bottom of the bowl to the well in edge of the bowl that the choke pickup tube fits into. If this is clogged then the enrichment circuit adds more air, but does not add more fuel. It is way too lean and won't start that way without the starting fluid. This passage is the first to clog from sitting as it is in the bottom of the bowl, and it is the last to get dipped because a lot of people don't know about it. Dip the bowls and then spray carb cleaner through the passage to ensure it is clear.

[GabrielGoes]

if you want to rule carbs outa the question and move on, do what i did, and take the damn carbs apart to the LAST screw i mean in a million pieces everywhere, its not that hard but atleast you'll know whats up also check the float levels

[Geo]

Well after reading everybody's great advice I am going to clean the carbs a third time (third time a charm ?). The local Suzuki dealer will dip the striped carbs in a dip tank overnight for $20.00 . Now I am wondering, since my problem my be a clogged choked circuit,is their a way to check the carbs on the bench for proper operation?

Thanks

[BassCliff]

Well after reading everybody's great advice I am going to clean the carbs a third time (third time a charm ?).

Hi,

Good for you! It's not the first time I've read where a member has taken the carbs apart two or three times to finally get it right. It seems, though, that you can buy your own can of carb dip for $20. Sometimes you have to soak each carb body (and parts) for 24 hours to do a good job. Keep up to good work.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Geo]

Hi BassCliff.

I did buy a can of cab dip and I did soak them for 24 hours.I was thinking that the Suzuki dealers dip is stronger and it will do a better job cleaning the carbs. I don't want to put them in and not work. Pulling the cars off is a pain in the #^%&*&. I want to get this thing running.

Thanks for all the help