1986 GS550ES carb needle removal???

[race56]

I don't understand how the to remove the goofy plastic needle holder inside the slides? it will spin around but can't seem to pull it out to change needle position - or install new needle????

[hikermikem]

With the 550's you just grab the plastic thing and yank with a pair of needle-nosed pliers.. it snaps in & out of the slide assy. Be careful when you do so as not to lose the spring & washer assy inside.

The other GS carbs have an internal circlip that has to be removed to get the needles out, but those siamese 550 carbs are different.

[race56]

OK, now far up on Main and pilot using stock airbox and 4int1 Vance & Hines?

OK, got the caps off, raised the needle about 1mm, little better in the mid-range, needs full choke to idle smooth, and is very lean up on top. Guessing I need to go for a full jet kit? Sure didn't expect this thing to be this far off with just changing the pipe.

Mains: 97.5 inners 90 outers
Pilots; 42.5 all four
screws 2.5 turns out.

[race56]

slides

When changing the diaphram/slide on CV32's on the 81 550L, it had snap rings.

Don't know if they are original or they are all like that?

- John

No this model has plastic inserts that snap into inside of the slides holding needle, spring down.

[hikermikem]

When changing the diaphram/slide on CV32's on the 81 550L, it had snap rings.

Don't know if they are original or they are all like that?

- John

I believe only the "siamese" carbs have the plastic piece that snaps in & out... started in 1983.