GS850 Carb Issue

[ray illuminati]

My bike was sitting for about 6 years. I have cleaned my carbs which were badly gummed up and now the gas actually is reaching the bowls. The bike still is not getting gas when I crank it. It does not appear to be supplying gas when I pump the throttle. I am not an expert by any means so any ideas would be helpful. Thanks very much.

Ray

[SqDancerLynn1]

First it does not have an accelerator pump.. When starting Put the fuel tap on prime (depends on petcock) Give it full choke and it should start --do not mess with the throttle when trying to start it..

needs a good strong battery !! Sometimes it helps to jump start it, just make sure the car is not running

[ray illuminati]

Thx for the quick response. I don't have the tank on the 850 as yet. I guess that is the problem? I had an 84 interceptor that I just ran on a bottle of gas while I was working on the tank. Can I do that with my 850?

[Steve]

Yes, it is possible to use a bottle to feed the carbs, just be sure to cap the vacuum fitting the carb. You did not mention the year of your 850. The '79s had VM carbs, and the vacuum fitting would be on carb #3. The later 850s had CV-type carbs and the vacuum fitting was on #2.

By the way, just because you are getting gas to the bowls does NOT mean that it can get to the combustion chamber.
You say you "cleaned the carbs". How? How long? What did you use? The answers to those questions are rather important, especially with a bike like yours that has been sitting for a while. It is not just necessary, but MANDATORY that you completely dis-assemble the carbs and soak each of them in "the dip" for a full day to clean out all the little passages inside the bodies that clog up so easily. Getting gas to the bowls isn't even HALF of the solution.

.

[ray illuminati]

it is an 81 gs850 and I did have the vacuum line plugged. So I guess I have some more cleaning to do. When I 'cleaned' them I took the bowls, jets, and floats out. Soaked the jets in carb cleaner over night. Cleaned the bowls, inside of the carb and carb lines with carb cleaner but I did not disemble all the carbs and soak them. Sooooooo.... I guess I am back at it. Thanks very much.

[TheCafeKid]

They need to be soaked brother. There are so many little passages in them that spray cleaner simply can't get to nor is it tough enough to break down that varnish. Plus all of the internal orings need to be replaced. Age and such will deteriorate them and these are sealing devices used to keep air or fuel from getting to where it's not supposed to.
The good news is one of our own members was kind enough to put together kits for our various carbs and offer them for sale at a more than reasonable cost.
Www.cycleorings.com is where you'll wanna go to pick up a kit. While youre at it, pick up a set of intake boot orings he sells as well. I'd also suggest picking up the replacement Allen head screws to replace the old crappy Phillips head screws that attach the intake boots to the engine. Those orings are behind the boot, and seal the boot to the head. Over the years they too will break down and allow air leaks which will make your engine run lean, which isn't good.

There's a couple of excellent tutorials on disassembling, dipping and cleaning the carbs as well as re-assembling them on BassCliffs website (which he will have links for in his welcome post) that will show you the best and correct way to make sure they're in tip top ready to go shape.

Good luck!
TCK

[ray illuminati]

Actually maybe I should look into having someone who knows what their doing and has done it a million times before rebuild the carbs. Can anyone recommend someone who does that and is reputable? I should leave that open as an option. Thanks again.

[koolaid_kid]

Now you have opened the floodgates.
Just get the rebuild guides from BassCliff's website: http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/ Right side of the page, midways down.
Follow them EXACTLY and you will have no issues. One of the most important things to do is use the correct tools, which are listed in Nessism's guide.

[Suzuki mad]

Actually maybe I should look into having someone who knows what their doing and has done it a million times before rebuild the carbs. Can anyone recommend someone who does that and is reputable? I should leave that open as an option. Thanks again.

You and you!

There are very few mechanics that worked on 1981 CV carbs in a modern garage/workshop for a starter. They wont clean them like the instructions say (that you've been pointed too) and its likely they wont sort then out properly.

The best course of action is for you to do them. Slowly, carefully and correctly.

1/ You will get to know you bike.
2/ You will learn and be confident that its been down right.
3/ It will save you money in the long run.
4/ You will be able to get expert help on here if thing are wrong.
5/ Any non expert will try and hide any mistakes that they make leaving you with no clue as to whats been done.

Thinks that's enough reasons'.

Oh and by the way, CV's are easier to work on the VM's IMHO.

If you lived in the UK I would be happy to do them for you.

[Steve]

Actually maybe I should look into having someone who knows what their doing and has done it a million times before rebuild the carbs. Can anyone recommend someone who does that and is reputable? I should leave that open as an option. Thanks again.

Where are you? One of us might be close enough to stop by and have a look.

.

[ray illuminati]

Thanks again for all of the replies. Guess I should just man up the take the plunge into it. I'm outside philadelphia pa. Thanks again.

[koolaid_kid]

Go for it, you can do it. Just be sure and use the exact tools Nessism described and you will be fine. And be careful with the jets, if you have read many carb-related threads first-timers have a habit of breaking/destroying pilot jets. So read up, study, and understand the carb rebuilding document before you actually tackle the job.