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    #1

    550 carb controversy

    Hello,
    I just picked up a '77 GS550 which is in reasonable shape but the carbs came with it uninstalled. PO seems to have snapped the fuel screw tips off and then driven them out from the same side into the carb throats. the screw hole in the #1 carb is larger than the rest. Will I be able to tune these carbs if I replace the needles? Are the holes tapered?
    I've also found two sets of used carbs that the owners swear up and down are GS550 items, but when I hold my rack against them the throat spacing is completely wrong. What gives with this?
    Suzuki GS550; Kawasaki H-1E, GPz900; Honda MT250, CB400F, CB550, GL500, CBR929.
    Tags: None
    #2
    The new ones could be from an 80 when they switched to CV carbs. Also, yes, they are tapered holes.

    Pictures would help.....
    1979 GS550, 2003 R6, 1998 XR400 Dual Sport, 2004 V-Star.........

    Decisions, decisions, what to ride, today.
    sigpic
    My GS550 Build

    Comment

      #3
      None of these are vacuum carbs.
      What did you need pictures of?
      Suzuki GS550; Kawasaki H-1E, GPz900; Honda MT250, CB400F, CB550, GL500, CBR929.

      Comment

        #4
        If the individual carbs are the same, you can pull them off the rack and swap them.
        1979 GS550, 2003 R6, 1998 XR400 Dual Sport, 2004 V-Star.........

        Decisions, decisions, what to ride, today.
        sigpic
        My GS550 Build

        Comment

          #5
          Both sets of carbs that I looked at didn't have these fuel needle circuits forward of the slides. When I saw this, I gave up on the idea of swapping the rails and linkages. Does anybody know if that will in fact work?
          Suzuki GS550; Kawasaki H-1E, GPz900; Honda MT250, CB400F, CB550, GL500, CBR929.

          Comment

            #6
            ??????????
            Suzuki GS550; Kawasaki H-1E, GPz900; Honda MT250, CB400F, CB550, GL500, CBR929.

            Comment

              #7
              as previously stated, post up some pics of the carb sets you have and it might help us identify them and therefore tell you what is compatible (if at all).
              1978 GS1085.

              Just remember, an opinion without 3.14 is just an onion!

              Comment

                #8
                Carb spacing is the critical issue.

                New members here sometimes are not aware of POS (previous owners syndrome), which afflicts old bikes.

                1st, have you held the rack you have up to the intake ports to confirm that they are the correct spacing?

                All of the Suzuki VM carb racks are the same for all the 550s up until 1980, when they switched to the VM carbs

                So, if the carb racks you are looking at have different carbs, or different spacing, it's most likely they are from a Kawasaki 650 or something

                Is the pilot fuel hole on yours ruined? yes

                You best bet would be to check with Portdave or Tom and see if they have the VM body you need, providing your current rack is the correct one.
                Last edited by Big T; 09-01-2014, 04:53 PM.
                1978 GS 1000 (since new)
                1979 GS 1000 (The Fridge, superbike replica project)
                1978 GS 1000 (parts)
                1981 GS 850 (anyone want a project?)
                1981 GPZ 550 (backroad screamer)
                1970 450 Mk IIID (THUMP!)
                2007 DRz 400S
                1999 ATK 490ES
                1994 DR 350SES

                Comment

                  #9

                  Bog standard 550 carbs; identical to those on buddy's '77; 3" throat spacing; fit the head like a dream; original carbs; what else would you like to know?
                  Suzuki GS550; Kawasaki H-1E, GPz900; Honda MT250, CB400F, CB550, GL500, CBR929.

                  Comment

                    #10
                    All of the Suzuki VM carb racks are the same for all the 550s up until 1980, when they switched to the VM carbs
                    Please make me understand this statement.
                    Suzuki GS550; Kawasaki H-1E, GPz900; Honda MT250, CB400F, CB550, GL500, CBR929.

                    Comment

                      #11
                      He meant when they switched to CV carbs...just a typo. If those are VM22s, I have 4 like new carb bodies. No guts installed though. I also have the slides. I took the rack apart a long time ago to use things like the fuel tees and some pilot screws.

                      My point is this. If the PO knocked the broken tips out from thew bottom and into the carb throats, your carbs bodies are now junk. If you wish, I can go to the storage unit and get as many of the parts together for you and we can come to an agreement on a price. Measure the engine side of the throats to confirm they are 22 MM and let me know.
                      MY BIKES..1977 GS 750 B, 1978 GS 1000 C (X2)
                      1978 GS 1000 E, 1979 GS 1000 S, 1973 Yamaha TX 750, 1977 Kawasaki KZ 650B1, 1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing, 1983 CB 650SC Nighthawk, 1972 Honda CB 350K4, 74 Honda CB550

                      NEVER SNEAK UP ON A SLEEPING DOG..NOT EVEN YOUR OWN.


                      I would rather trust my bike to a "QUACK" that KNOWS how to fix it rather than a book worm that THINKS HE KNOWS how to fix it.

                      Comment

                        #12
                        31.2mm O.D. throat on engine side.
                        Suzuki GS550; Kawasaki H-1E, GPz900; Honda MT250, CB400F, CB550, GL500, CBR929.

                        Comment

                          #13
                          Carbs size is measured by the ID on the engine side...
                          MY BIKES..1977 GS 750 B, 1978 GS 1000 C (X2)
                          1978 GS 1000 E, 1979 GS 1000 S, 1973 Yamaha TX 750, 1977 Kawasaki KZ 650B1, 1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing, 1983 CB 650SC Nighthawk, 1972 Honda CB 350K4, 74 Honda CB550

                          NEVER SNEAK UP ON A SLEEPING DOG..NOT EVEN YOUR OWN.


                          I would rather trust my bike to a "QUACK" that KNOWS how to fix it rather than a book worm that THINKS HE KNOWS how to fix it.

                          Comment

                            #14
                            23.8 I.D. engine side.
                            Suzuki GS550; Kawasaki H-1E, GPz900; Honda MT250, CB400F, CB550, GL500, CBR929.

                            Comment

                              #15
                              What did you do with your CB?
                              Suzuki GS550; Kawasaki H-1E, GPz900; Honda MT250, CB400F, CB550, GL500, CBR929.

                              Comment

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