just got a 1985 GS550E (-ES?) and idle issue

[Dybz]

we were able to do it on the little 250s in the riding class. no throttle, just let out clutch, that's why i'm asking.

[MelodicMetalGod]

Hi all,

Just picked up my first bike: 1985 Suzuki GS550E-ES (i believe that's the full name?). when i picked it up, the bike seemed to be running great. idled at 1500, shifted great, all good. today i drove it around a bit, and noticed that when the engine got hot the idle would jump to 2500. i played with the choke a bit (it's a lever type under the turn signal) and it seems that either to far left or far right the choke is "on" while in the middle is the actual off position. so this sets the idle ~1500. now the issue is that in this position, the bike will stall out during idle, and if i let out the clutch it will also stall. it wasn't doing this when i picked it up. actually the drive home it was perfect with idle at 1500 all the way. any ideas on potentially what the problem could be? i'm not familiar with carbed engines so much so it'll be a bit of a learning curve, but i'm up for it.

also, since everyone likes pictures:

Welcome!

Nice looking specimen there. You have a GS550E. The GS550ES has the lower fairings as well (check my bike).

Idle at 1500 is a bit high. The choke s/b all the way off when tuned properly, so if you're in the middle of the choke swing, somethign is amiss. You're trouble sounds similar to the way my bike was when I got it and they most of these GS's are when they are first acquired.

Check my signature for helpful info for our bikes and be sure to look for BassCliff's welcome package - he has compiled a wealth of useful information from the members here and put it in one place for all of us to use.

There are three service manuals that are helpful to have:
Clymers, Haynes (if you can find it) and the Suzuki service/shop manual, which you can find here on BassCliff's site: http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/

As most of us will recommend, whatever else you do, pull and clean the carbs and replace those o-rings between the engine and the intake boots for a good start.

Best of luck!

[Dybz]

thanks! yeah the bike is a 20ft-looker... as in it looks good from 20 ft haha. a few broken fairings, some bubbled paint near engine, but nothing real bad and probably good seeing as it's a first bike and i was able to drop price a bit.

i was going through some of the manuals i found for the bike and read that gas should be 85-95 oct in the R+M/2 method. what would you guys recommend? here in illinois we have 87, 89, and 93. is it worth filling up with 93? or should i stick with 89?

[JEEPRUSTY]

thanks! yeah the bike is a 20ft-looker... as in it looks good from 20 ft haha. a few broken fairings, some bubbled paint near engine, but nothing real bad and probably good seeing as it's a first bike and i was able to drop price a bit.

i was going through some of the manuals i found for the bike and read that gas should be 85-95 oct in the R+M/2 method. what would you guys recommend? here in illinois we have 87, 89, and 93. is it worth filling up with 93? or should i stick with 89?

Stick with regular gas. It will run fine.

[cowboyup3371]

Unless you have money to burn your bike will run just fine on the 87 octane fuel

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. Dybz,

Sorry I'm late to your party. I'm going to just do my thing.

Anyway, let me dump a TON if information on you and share some GS lovin'.

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", "Top 15 Tips For GS Happiness", the Carb Cleanup Series, and the Stator Papers. All of these tasks must be addressed in order to have a safe, reliable machine. 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

[MelodicMetalGod]

Unless you have money to burn your bike will run just fine on the 87 octane fuel

Even if you DO have money to burn, the bike will still run fine on 87.

[skreemer]

The next question is, where are you in illinois? I spent an ungodly amount of hours tweaking and tuning a set of the 83 GS550E carbs and would help out if you're "nearby" and have a free afternoon that matches up with my schedule.

[Dybz]

i'm in chicago actually, maybe 2-3 miles west of downtown. i rode the bike to work today, and once warmed up i can mess with the idle adjust and get it idle down to 1500. in this situation, the bike runs great. picks up off the line, and ones moving doesn't hesitate. issue is, i have to mess with idle adjust to get it started from this warmed up position. i got out of work early today, and parked the bike in the garage until i can give it a good tune up like you guys are hinting at .

thanks for the welcome basscliff, i've already been drowning in the loads of info on your website. thanks for taking the time to set something like that up! helps out newbies like me a bunch (and i'm sure some of the more experienced guys refer to it as well).

bunches of fun to ride, just need to make sure it's in 100% tip top shape before i continue riding.

[David_510]

Quick question... The 85 is that still the siamese carbs? Or is it the 4 seperate carbs?

I've been restoring a 83 gs550esd and i can probably help you out alot with your issues...

But like everyone said clean the carbs and check for leaks around your intake boots..

My boots have been on my bike for 10+ years but the last person to re-install them put some sort of a silicone gasket type material around the rings and it is sealed 100% still.

These bikes seem to take about 5-8 minutes to warm up before they will idle without bogging with throttle w/ choke off. So sometimes you may have to ride with the choke on and adjust as you go down the road..

My 550 has Custom pod filters (i fabbed them up and they work great) and bigger jets (110 / 107.5) and it runs great. These bikes are fun once u get them going good.

[Dybz]

it has the two twin barrel carbs from my understanding.

[Dybz]

so started working on the bike today. didn't have too much time so only got a minimal amount of stuff accomplished. battery out, airbox unhooked, air filter out, carbs exposed. i'm a little stuck on getting the carbs themselves off. is there anything holding them on besides the various lines and the clamps/rubber boots that go to the head? i undid the clamps, but they don't seem to want to budge and i didn't want to give it too much muscle and break something.

also found out that one of the bolts holding the fuel tank on was stripped, so it was only being help down by 1 functioning bolt. also, there is a vacuum (?) line going into the airbox on the left side of the bike that was completely 100% clogged with some kind of dust/fuel/oil hairball deal.

[cowboyup3371]

To pull the carbs out after untightening the intake boot clamps, just use some good muscle power and pull them out. You may have to work it side to side a bit.

[Dybz]

cool, thanks. gave it a bit of muscle and came off no problem. quick Q about petcocks: if the engine isn't running, there should be no fuel flowing unless in the "prime" position, correct? since this one doesn't have an actual "off" position.

[SVSooke]

That's right.If you have fuel coming out except on prime there's a problem.