Gas tank restore help!

[cid]

So I payed a guy to rebuild my two carbs on my 1984 gs550. He charged me 300 because the pilot screws were seized. Anyway I pretty sure I got hosed. I never did carb so I thought this was the route. I got the bike back and the guy said it was running great on a remote tank. So I got the bike home and tries to start it and it just won't go. Called this guy and he said it was my gas but I had cleaned and replaced the gas. So I guess I will try and restore the tank my question is how do I do that? Is it difficult?

[Octain]

What does the gas look like? Kinda muddy, or pretty clean and clear?

[Nessism]

CDI,

What specifically is wrong with the gas tank? Rust on the inside? If so, there are tons of long threads in the archives on how to clean out the rust. You can learn a lot about your bike by searching though the archives. You can save a ton of money too.

Good luck

[Big T]

So I payed a guy to rebuild my two carbs on my 1984 gs550. He charged me 300 because the pilot screws were seized. Anyway I pretty sure I got hosed. I never did carb so I thought this was the route. I got the bike back and the guy said it was running great on a remote tank. So I got the bike home and tries to start it and it just won't go. Called this guy and he said it was my gas but I had cleaned and replaced the gas. So I guess I will try and restore the tank my question is how do I do that? Is it difficult?

Okay, I don't understand the problem here. I understand your bike doesn't run, but:

1. You were not sure you could rebuild the carbs
2. You took them to a guy that you think hosed you
3. The guy claims the bike ran on a remote tank
4. Guy blames your gas
5. Now, you believe him

You can clean and restore your gas tank, but what is wrong with it? Did you look inside, or just take the hosers opinion?

It could be as simple as turning your petcock to Prime and filling the carbs with gas first

How about some more exploration, not stated in a run on sentence?

[cid]

Holy grammar police. I believe the tank is fine but I will be installing some in line fuel filters, just to be sure. When you say petcock to prime is it a couple minutes? Does the key have to be on and the run switch to on? I'm just no sure the procedure. And after it primes I should switch it to the down position to start it correct? Thanks for the help both with my punctuation and the bike. It's my first bike so I'm learning

Also should I put filters on both lines exiting the tank?

[tkent02]

Holy grammar police. I believe the tank is fine but I will be installing some in line fuel filters, just to be sure. When you say petcock to prime is it a couple minutes? Does the key have to be on and the run switch to on? I'm just no sure the procedure. And after it primes I should switch it to the down position to start it correct? Thanks for the help both with my punctuation and the bike. It's my first bike so I'm learning

Also should I put filters on both lines exiting the tank?

Key off, kill switch doesn't matter. Turn it to PRI for about thirty seconds to let the float bowls fill up, then back to ON or maybe RES if your fuel level is low. Not sure about your model, never had an '85 550, but on some of the later GSes you actually have to pull a vacuum to start the flow of fuel, even on PRI. If this is the case, go to PRI, turn the key on and crank it for a second or so, then wait the thirty seconds for the bowls to fill up.
Do this, remove a float bowl without spilling the fuel, you can do this easily enough with the carbs on the bike, just pull the #1 float bowl. Look in it for a rust colored powder or stain. under all the fuel. If it's not there you tank is fine, the hoser is just re hosing you, he probably didn't ever have it running at all unless you saw it run.

There should only be one fuel line from the tank, the smaller one is the vacuum line which controls the petcock. Only the fatter fuel line would get a filter, although unless you have a nasty rusty tank the filter is not needed, there is one screen in the petcock already, more filtering can interfere with fuel flow.

[tom203]

Mr. cid.....This is likely related to your post from a week ago, best to keep it in one thread. So I'll ask again- did you check for fuel in both carb bowls? do two spark plugs from a particular carb seem wet or dry?

[cid]

Thanks tkent. So I don't have the proper plug socket to check for wetness on the plug. I tried the petcock on prime, turned it over and it damn near started. Waited 30 secs and turned pet to run position/down and the starter actuates but it dosent catch. I'll see about getting a plug socket and check to see the spark end of things. Ty

[GateKeeper]

well if it almost started, sounds like there is spark from the plugs ? sounds more like your not getting enough fuel ?

[JEEPRUSTY]

Okay, I don't understand the problem here. I understand your bike doesn't run, but:

1. You were not sure you could rebuild the carbs
2. You took them to a guy that you think hosed you
3. The guy claims the bike ran on a remote tank
4. Guy blames your gas
5. Now, you believe him

You can clean and restore your gas tank, but what is wrong with it? Did you look inside, or just take the hosers opinion?

It could be as simple as turning your petcock to Prime and filling the carbs with gas first

How about some more exploration, not stated in a run on sentence?

That is a run-on sentence Mr. pedantry.

cdi if the thing is catching than it is very likely just a fuel flow problem.
These bike are pigs when it comes to getting the fuel to flow.

Make sure you have the vacuum line attached to your petcock.

300 for a carb cleaning is insane. The carbs used on this bike are simple and in the 4 sets I won I have never had a problem removing any parts.

[SteveM]

There are two carbs on the GS550 you mention, each with dual throats to feed the four cylinders. This was necessary due to the large center tube on the frame.

[cid]

Ya this bike is boggling my mind. So I got frustrated an sprayed very little quick start in the air box and the bike fired right up and continued to start first try all day. But after supper I tried it again and it would not start. It's clean fuel and the carbs are getting the fuel..... Coils? Because they are all new plugs.

And yes I know quick start/ ether is bad

[Nessism]

If it started with ether why would you think the coils are bad?

[cid]

Figured the spark was weak. Why would it start all day then just stop starting.I really don't know. Based on the comments in this thread I would go back to the poor fuel flow