Runs well but plugs are sooty black. Why? (GS1000 G)

[Steve]

You should not have to raise the needle jet or lower it from stock typically.

Usually not with just a pipe, but by the time you add pods, it is common to raise the needle a bit.

The OP has stated that he has the clip in the highest position to drop the needle to its lowest position, but the plugs are still black, making it look like it's running rich.

Let's go to a known starting place (basically stock, but making allowance for the pipe with larger main jets) and some proper spark plugs, because we still don't know what is being used there.

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[Vloukole]

I use B7es plugs. Tried one range hotter to maybe burn of the soot.
I will check the float height. Will a too low float level make the bike run rich through the whole rev range?

[Vloukole]

Do you know what the stock jet sizes are? Main? Pilot? Needle? Etc

[BigD_83]

Will a too low float level make the bike run rich through the whole rev range?

Yes. Especially if you are missing the rubber plugs that cover the pilot jet.

[BigD_83]

If you haven't been yet, a virtual treasure trove of all things GS related. Here's a direct link to the carb spec page. It's missing the non-North American specs, but it'll give you an idea of where you should be relative to stock.

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/images/carbspec_float_height.html

EDIT- I just saw that there are 1000G specs for RSA...you're in luck

[Steve]

I use B7es plugs. Tried one range hotter to maybe burn of the soot.
I will check the float height. Will a too low float level make the bike run rich through the whole rev range?

It is better to fix the problem than to apply a Band-Aid (hotter plug).

Be careful with your description of "lower float height", as the carbs are upside down when you set them. A lower number actually means that the floats ride higher, which will, indeed, yield a richer mixture. The float height should be 22.4mm, measured from the bottom of the step, right at the notch where it meets the rounded part of the float. If your 22.4mm was measured at the top of the step, the floats (and the resulting fuel level) would be several millimeters too high.

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[chuck hahn]

And Big T hit on a very pertinent point about the rubber pilot jet plugs. Old rubber shrinks and allows fuel to bypass the seal..which in fact does add to extra fuel being sucked thru...and no matter what you try you cant get any results till new ones are installed.

The advice to do a full on dipping and rebuild with ALL NEW ORINGS AND RUBBER PLUGS is spot on to eliminate that part of the equation. then its just down to jetting changes.

Heres the place for a service manual. Note on the right side there are VM and CV carb rebuild tutorials.

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/

Get the orings here and measure the intake manifiold orings for the ID SIZE and go to page 3 to get the correct size for them as well. I KIT does the full rack of carbs. And DO NOT grip the float seats with pliers to get them out to replace the orings!!! Use a thin blade between the carb body and the seats shoulder and gently pry them out. No heat either. The heat will melt the plastic retainers that hold the screens in place ( screens are on the back side of the seats inside the hole ).

http://cycleorings.com/

Here is where I get the rubber pilot jet plugs. Bowl gaskets are super cheap here too. Call them to verify but I think the $9.00m is for a set of all 4 bowl gaskets..which is incredibly cheap.

http://www.siriusconinc.com/pro-detail.php?pid=&product_id=1469

http://www.siriusconinc.com/pro-detail.php?pid=&product_id=4304

There...parts have been provided. Now its just clean them and replace fuel tee and tarnsfer tubes if needed. If you have the crappy rubber coated kind that have the "fake" orings molded in get new metal ones. I suggest you call Z1 Enterprises for those.

[Vloukole]

I think Im going to order a carb rebuild kit.
Thanks for all the great advice so far.

The kit will be delivered on friday. Will check in friday with the results.

[Steve]

Hopefully you have ordered your kit from cycleorings.com.

"Carb kits" from other places usually contain parts of questionable quality and do not contain all the o-rings that you need.

The o-ring kit from cycleorings.com DOES contain ALL the o-rings that you need.

If you need jets, get genuine Mikuni jets, not from some place like "Jets-R-Us", just to assure proper quality.

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[chuck hahn]

As Steve said...all youll need is the orings and be sure to NOT squish the float seats removing them and youll be all set.

[Vloukole]

You guys must remember Im from RSA. I dont have many choices.

[Steve]

Contact Robert Barr at cycleorings.com. He just might ship some o-rings to you.

You can contact him here by sending a PM to robertbarr.

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[Vloukole]

This is what I ordered. Is it everything I need?image.jpg

[Steve]

Unless that kit is from Mikuni, the jets might be of questionable quality and sizing.

With your 4 into 1 pipe, the main jets will definitely be the wrong size.

You currently have adjustable needles, I only see one notch on that one.

The float valve appears to have an o-ring on it, that's good.

The larger o-ring might be for the enricher ("choke") cap. The other o-ring might be the spacer that holds a plug that is in the bottom of the throat on some carbs.

You are missing the tiny little o-ring for the pilot screws.

You are missing the o-rings for the fuel transfer tubes.

You are missing the o-rings for the drain screws.

Have you contacted Robert at cycleorings.com?

I know that shipping might be a killer, but the price for ALL the necessary o-rings, including the ones for the intake boots, is less that the price of the ONE kit that you show. Whatever you paid for that, you will have to multiply by four, then add shipping.

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[GSX1000E]

A little too late but, if Mr. Barr could not accommodate you, you might have checked into these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/390967691754?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

They also sell a kit that includes the float bowl gaskets for about $9.00 more and they ship internationally.