1980 Suzuki GS 450L Massive carb problems

[MikeQ]

Hey everyone..

I'm gonna give you guys a bit of history on the bike and what happened here so that hopefully someone can help me out..

I bought the bike maybe 4 months ago. When I first got it it was running kinda ****ty, carbs were exhaust popping, etc..It seemed to all blow out after a while and everything was cool. Then it all went to hell, carbs got gunked, tank was rusty...etc.

At this point, the tank is clean, The carbs have been cleaned twice because the first time I didn't do it correctly. In the proccess of cleaning the second time one of the needle valve seats got last in my lawn. Now one of the carbs has a new needle valve assembly. As far as I know the carbs are completely clean at this point. I followed nessims guide exactly.

Now for the questions..

The bike will start now. It's a bit tricky to start...maybe a float not adjusteD?? However it will idle a little bit, once I rev it over 3 grand, I't wont drop below from anywhere from 3 seconds, to not at all.

The butterfly is snapping shut so I don't think its the throttle cable..

Thought?

Thanks, Mike

[cowboyup3371]

Did you change the orings behind the carb boots?

[MikeQ]

New o-rings, yes. However a friend who helped install them, put them on after the carbs where mounted to the airbox, then put the boots/rings on. And he used black RTV to hold them in place...could this be the issue?

[cowboyup3371]

Yea, that RTV isn't necessary and probably is messing your stuff up.

[pete]

Sounds like an intake leak, so the O rings under the intake boots are new, how good are the intake boots themselves?

If it's at all difficult to push the carbs in, or you need to use some lube to get them in, then they're shrunken and should be replaced.

As far as tricky to start goes, what symptoms do you get exactly? Hard starting is usually related to valve clearances not being correct.

[MikeQ]

Pete, If I have the intake boots on the intake before I put the airbox side of the carbs on, its 100% impossible, I have to Fight to slip them in over the carbs, and then try to get the orings in. I'm assuming they have shrunk.

[MikeQ]

We ordered new boots, rings, and gaskets. I apparently was missing the gaskets as well.

[pete]

Good stuff Mike. The boots I was referring to are on the cylinder head side where the carbs slide in, but getting that whole system sealed up nicely will definitely be a good thing!