Pod filters for a 81 gs550l

[Guest]

How do I determine what size pod filters to get for my gs550L?

[cowboyup3371]

Why can't you use the stock airbox? Doing so will keep some sanity for you

[Xinabop]

I don't like the look of the air box. I get that pods are a pain in the ass, but I still want to try.

[hampshirehog]

Measure the external diameter of your carb intakes and the distance from the back of the carb to the frame on the outside carbs. Most commonly available pods are too long to fit between the carbs and the frame hence the need to measure. I'm pretty sure you'll be restricted to buying K&Ns.

You'll almost certainly need to buy a Dynojet kit as well to make them work as I suspect you haven't got adjustable needles. The kit for the GS550M Katana is the one you'll need.

[tom203]

I don't like the look of the air box. I get that pods are a pain in the ass, but I still want to try.

Do your self a favor and get it runing right with the stock airbox setup. Then you can get bold! A dynojet kit is probably a must with pods if you want a decent midrange.

[Xinabop]

Thank you. And just to be clear as I saw they don't have one specifically for my model, the
82 katana gs550m should fit?

[mmattockx]

Why can't you use the stock airbox? Doing so will keep some sanity for you

Why do you assume OP can't tune a set of carbs? Not everyone is incapable of getting a bike running right with pod filters. Those of us that can do it seem to think the effort is worthwhile.

I don't like the look of the air box. I get that pods are a pain in the ass, but I still want to try.

What exhaust system do you have? If it is stock then you aren't going to gain much power, but tuning should also be easier because you won't need to go as many steps away from stock.

Measure the external diameter of your carb intakes and the distance from the back of the carb to the frame on the outside carbs. Most commonly available pods are too long to fit between the carbs and the frame hence the need to measure. I'm pretty sure you'll be restricted to buying K&Ns.

You'll almost certainly need to buy a Dynojet kit as well to make them work as I suspect you haven't got adjustable needles. The kit for the GS550M Katana is the one you'll need.

K&N or APE pods are the only ones to buy, the rest are crap. I would agree that the DJ kit is necessary, trying to tune for pods without an adjustable needle is largely an exercise in futility.

Do your self a favor and get it runing right with the stock airbox setup.

This is sound advice. At least then OP only has to fight carb settings instead of also chasing other gremlins at the same time.


Mark

[hampshirehog]

Thank you. And just to be clear as I saw they don't have one specifically for my model, the
82 katana gs550m should fit?

They might do but do the measurements for frame clearance and check against the length of the pods. I know K&N do a 'double pancake' filter (one filter fits a pair of carbs) for your bike.

[Xinabop]

The truth is I don't know how to do most anything on the bike. But I am determined to learn and get my hands into every part of it as I can. I am enjoying every bit of wrenching on my bike as I have riding. I find it completely fascinating and if it is something I can do on my own, I want to try.

[cowboyup3371]

Why do you assume OP can't tune a set of carbs? Not everyone is incapable of getting a bike running right with pod filters. Those of us that can do it seem to think the effort is worthwhile
Mark

Why are you assuming I thought he couldn't tune them? My question was to understand the need for it and then to convey what ALOT of people here have experienced - that it is aggravating as all heck. I had no clue as to his abilities but for the most part I believe he could do anything.

[cowboyup3371]

The truth is I don't know how to do most anything on the bike. But I am determined to learn and get my hands into every part of it as I can. I am enjoying every bit of wrenching on my bike as I have riding. I find it completely fascinating and if it is something I can do on my own, I want to try.

You'll have a much easier time of working through this if you have a solid baseline to start with. As others have said, get everything running right as is first to remove any other unknowns before trying to make significant changes. Folks here and information found on Basscliff's website (http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff) will help tremendously

[mmattockx]

Why are you assuming I thought he couldn't tune them? My question was to understand the need for it and then to convey what ALOT of people here have experienced - that it is aggravating as all heck.

You saying he should keep the airbox to keep his sanity implies he is going to go nuts trying to sort the carbs. It really isn't that hard if you are careful and methodical, it just takes time. The people that struggle aren't methodical and don't follow a pattern for their testing. If someone thinks that taking their carbs out 6-7 times (maybe more) and spending a few saturday afternoons testing is aggravating then they should stick with the stock airbox.


Mark