Jet Needle Spacer Questions

[mokosai]

I'm very new to carbs, so I'm sorry if these are dumb questions. I have a 1980 GS250T with BS30SS carbs. I've dipped and cleaned the carbs and replaced o-rings, and I'm now trying to bring them back to stock configuration before attempting any tuning.

1) Does the spacer for the needle go above or below the circlip?

I ask because I see contradictory info. The very excellent rebuild tutorial (on slide 63) shows and mentions the "plastic spacer on TOP of the needle clip." On the other hand, the parts fiche shows the spacer BELOW the clip (being pushed on by the small spring). My old Haynes manual agrees with (likely just copies) the fiche. So which is it?

2) How can I tell if my spacer is the stock one or not? It's 1.6mm thick, which seems very thin compared to the 2.5mm shown in the tutorial (1.7mm after thinning). Any chance my bike came with the 1.6mm stock, or should I add washers to get closer to 2.5mm?

Thanks very much in advance.

[terrylee]

It's possible po may have rejetted it? Check jet numbers to see if stock. I'm no expert, but usually the spacer is on top of clip, unless po was trying to raise jet. Someone with more expert will be along I'm sure. terrylee

[mokosai]

It's possible po may have rejetted it? Check jet numbers to see if stock. I'm no expert, but usually the spacer is on top of clip, unless po was trying to raise jet. Someone with more expert will be along I'm sure. terrylee

It was indeed re-jetted, I'm returning jets to stock as well. I should clarify that I did indeed find the spacer on top of the clip, but I'm trying to verify that it belongs there. I haven't seen the fiche be wrong before.

[Steve]

Yes, stock placement is with the thicker nylon spacer above the clip, with a thin metal washer below the clip, so the spring does not get tangled up with the clip.

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[mokosai]

Great, thanks for confirming that!

Any way to find out the original spacer width, other than ordering a new one?

[Steve]

I could measure some of mine this evening.

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[mokosai]

I could measure some of mine this evening.

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I wouldn't want you to go through the trouble. Besides, isn't it possible that a different model bike (with the same carbs) could have a different thickness spacer? I didn't see a GS250T in your signature.

[Steve]

No trouble at all, I have some spares in a box.

I could be mistaken, but I think they are all the same.

Just because you don't see it in my signature does not mean I haven't dealt with one.
I have worked on MANY bikes for GSR members over the last several years.

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[Steve]

Great, thanks for confirming that!

Any way to find out the original spacer width, other than ordering a new one?

I could measure some of mine this evening.

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OK, measured four of them in a set of carbs i am working on, they range from 2.52 to 2.54mm thick.

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[mokosai]

OK, measured four of them in a set of carbs i am working on, they range from 2.52 to 2.54mm thick.

Thanks for getting those measurements! I guess my 1.6mm might be a little off then. I guess I'll spend the $6 ordering new ones from suzuki and seeing what size they wind up being.

[Steve]

At 1.6mm, you are essentially lifting the needles by the space of one notch on the older, adjustable needles.

Is your bike totally stock? Stock airbox and exhaust? If anything has has been "improved", you might just want the 'lifted' needles.

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