gutless/gashog 450ga

[TeamDar]

Check for a clogged air filter

[bob_coakes]

the air filter is new and only been on the bike for 200 miles or so...I put in on new about April

[cowboyup3371]

Have you done a valve adjustment and synchronized the carbs?

[nejeff]

Have you done a valve adjustment and synchronized the carbs?

This. Do this.

[nejeff]

Where are you from Bob?

[bob_coakes]

I'm from the Albion, NE area

[nejeff]

I'm in Lincoln. Do that valve adjustment and carb sync, that should help alot. Please keep us informed

[bob_coakes]

Is there a way to do the carb sync without the right vacuums meters? I know where I can get a letter for syncing a cars carb but it only has one hook up

[Ghostgs1]

Before you adjust the carbs, check your valve clearances. After that the balancing will be in order. If you do it the other way around, you will have to balance the carbs twice. Should be able to balance a twin by ear close enough to make it run fine. Ray

[bob_coakes]

I checked my valve clearance a few weeks ago and everything was within range (.03-.08 mm). I've also adjusted the carbs of the hundredth time. It sounds great and runs well, but my milage is still in the low 20's. Is there anything else I can do or is that just as good as it gets?

[cowboyup3371]

It's not as good as it gets...something is not right - have you synched them?

[tkent02]

Did you check that the main and piot jets are the right size for your bike? How about the jet needle? My 650 has alway gotten bad mileage, I just looked today, it is jetted for a 4-1 pipe. The problem is it has no such pipe, so it runs rich. A lot of unknowing riders put in bigger jets thinking it will make more power, it doesn't. Just wastes gas and makes even less power.

[Nessism]

Agree with checking the jet sizes. The bike should get at least 40 mpg. You also might want to measure fuel level in the float bowls, not just measure float height. The carbs may be overflowing and sending fuel into the cylinder inadvertently. And speaking of that, what color are the plugs. The plugs are likely pitch black from burning so much extra fuel.

[tkent02]

Agree with checking the jet sizes. The bike should get at least 40 mpg. You also might want to measure fuel level in the float bowls, not just measure float height. The carbs may be overflowing and sending fuel into the cylinder inadvertently. And speaking of that, what color are the plugs. The plugs are likely pitch black from burning so much extra fuel.

An 1100 should get 40mpg cruising, a 550 more like 50. Don't know, never ridden a GS 450 much but shouldn't it be more like 60mpg?

A few more things to check, any one of these can only cost a little bit of wasted fuel, but combined they can cost a lot more... It seems to multiply.

These are just the things that I have seen, there are more.

Drive chain and sprockets worn, or of the wrong ratio. Too low RPM at cruise and the mileage will suck, these engines need to spin at high RPM to be efficient. Same with your riding style, lugging it around like an old lady is very inefficient. Brakes dragging. Choke not closing completely on one or more cylinder, is the little lever on one or more plungers upside down? Choke cable too tight? Fuel dripping out the overflow as you ride. Tires too wide, low tire pressure. Spokes loose. Rider too fat. Vacuum leaks. Missadjusted intake or exhaust valves. Ignition timing off a little bit. Cam timing off one tooth. Restriced or even blocked exhaust. Air filter too restrictive, or not sealed right. Airbox not sealed. Clutch slipping. Wheel bearing shot, allowing the wheel to wobble. Wrong oil weight. Worn or incorrect spark plugs. Improper ignition points gap. Bad spark plug wires. Wheels misaligned.

Good luck finding what is going on.

[koolaid_kid]

AFA fuel economy, keep in mind this is an automatic transmission. Has what, two ratios? So economy will not be in the 60s range, but should be in the 40s.