GS 550 Carburetor Rebuild question!

[Gateway]

I have my GS 550 E ( 1980 ) carbs all apart, cleaned and put back together ( yippYY ) The only thing I need to know, is what should the air screws be set at?

Thanks!!

[Larry D]

I have my GS 550 E ( 1980 ) carbs all apart, cleaned and put back together ( yippYY ) The only thing I need to know, is what should the air screws be set at?

Thanks!!

About 2 1/2 turns out from lightly seated. They will more than likely need to be adjusted from this, but, it's a good starting place.

[Steve]

Just so you know, you do not have "air screws", you have MIXTURE screws.

It is important to know what the screws are adjusting, so you know which way to turn them to achieve your desired results.
Now that you know that you are controlling a mixture, it will be easy to understand that turning the screws clockwise will lean the overall mixture, turning them anti-clockwise will richen it.

Most of us will start with them anywhere from 2 1/2 to 3 turns out from lightly-seated when firing up a fresh set of carbs. After warming up the bike and doing your vacuum sync, turn a mixture screw in slowly, listening for a decrease in engine speed. Turn that screw back out 1/8 turn, move to the next carb, continue until they are all done. Note that if you do this while the vacuum gauges are still connected, you will see the vacuum level change when the engine speed drops, and it will change in all four cylinders, making it easier to see than to hear.

.

[Gateway]

Thanks! I have them all set and will fire it up in the morning!