Have a carb/pod question

[Do Little]

So I have an 82 GS550L, and I'm putting K&N pod filters on it. Do I need to leave the side covers on it to properly tune the carbs? I like the bobber/minimalist look, but somebody told me I'll have a hard time getting it to run right because of air flow/turbulance while riding if I leave them uncovered. At the same time I see plenty of pics of bikes with nothing covering thier pods. So was this bad advice, or is there some truth to this?

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Sidecovers will make no difference in carb tuning. However, the vent tubes for the carbs should probably be removed since there is no airbox to drape them over.

I was riding a friend's bike (thanks Mr. Griffin) and started experiencing some surging and bogging. When I reached my destination I realized that I had lost the right side cover. The cross wind was causing turbulence behind the airbox where the carb vent tubes were hanging. The side cover keeps the vent tube ends in relatively calm air. I think the same can be accomplished by completely removing the vent tubes from the carbs' vent ports.



Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Do Little]

Is there anything you don't know?

[SqDancerLynn1]

We have taught Cliff well ! He's a great benefit to the forum

[BassCliff]

We have taught Cliff well ! He's a great benefit to the forum

Hi,

Yes, there is a lot I don't know. And, yes, I have tried my best to lean from all the real gurus here, including Ms. SqDancerLynn1.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[gearhead13]

Wouldn't removing the tubes entirely allow dirt to enter the carbs?

Shouldn't the end pieces of the tubes be left or the holes plugged?

DP

Shouldnt be a problem eith dirt getting in there unless you are off-roading. You cant plug them they are called vent tubes for a reason.

[BassCliff]

Wouldn't removing the tubes entirely allow dirt to enter the carbs?

Hi,

That's a valid point. But the vent lines are left open when they are laying behind the airbox. There really shouldn't be any more chance of dirt getting sucked into the carbs if the lines are removed from the vent ports. The two vent ports are basically sitting behind the cylinders, between the carb bodies.

I suppose if you're worried about it you could use something like this on a very short hose:



Hopefully it wouldn't be too restrictive.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Steve]

Hopefully it wouldn't be too restrictive.

Restriction is not an issue. The only time there is any "real" airflow through the vents is when the carb bowls are empty and you are filling them with the PRIME function on the petcock. Any other time, there is virtually NO airflow through the vents, they just provide an atmospheric reference for the venturis to do their job properly.

By the way, the airflow through the vent tubes while priming the carbs would hardly be termed "considerable".

.

[gs road racer]

Hi,

Yes, there is a lot I don't know. And, yes, I have tried my best to lean from all the real gurus here, including Ms. SqDancerLynn1.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

Oh my a mutual admiration group.......

[chef1366]

I've been running without vent hoses for years
No problem

[pete]

Have a look at post #361 of this thread to see what Midnight Cafe did with his vent hose... I think it's a great idea:

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=160493&page=37