83 1100L running rich

[AMK]

The mekanick that rebuilt the carbs couldn't dial it in with stock jets so he said he went 4 or 5 sizes bigger on the mains. He told me it was due to the ethanol gas. It seems too rich and I'd like to go back to stock. The bike is an '83 gs1100gl bone stock with no mods. Valves were adjusted late last season. Has anyone needed to re-jet for the fuel ?

[tom203]

It's likely that your mechanic failed to clean carbs properly or reinstalled something wrong and is making excuses. Does bike start easily, idle well? Since you have stock intake setup, you should not venture far from stock jetting. How's your air filter element look?
Do you know if he used carb rebuild kits?

too rich? By gas smell, or by plug chops? Or?

[JTGS850GL]

You don't need to rejet, you need a new mechanic... YOURSELF. There would be no reason to have to go up 4-5 jet settings on a bone stock engine.

[GSCafe]

You don't need to rejet, you need a new mechanic... YOURSELF. There would be no reason to have to go up 4-5 jet settings on a bone stock engine.

Amen to that. Even assuming the max 10% ethanol that can be in my gas here, that would make it only 2% leaner.

[AMK]

Yes to all. I have strong smell of gas while running, popping in exhaust during idle and deceleration but runs strong. I can only get 115 mph and I think it should do better. I am the second owner of this bike and remember it to be a little snappier when I rode last it but that was 20 years ago. It didn't run when I was finally able to talk the guy out of it because of carbs. Mekenick is good but since I ride it more than he I want to dial it in myself. I will be my own mekenick with the encouragement from you guys. I have enough knowledge to be dangerous.

[Steve]

At MOST, if you want to re-jet for the ethanol, you might go up ONE size, certainly not 4 or 5 sizes.

.

[AMK]

Thanks for the help, I'm going back to stock.