To pod, or not to pod

[semerm]

suggestion

watch ebay for another stock airbox. My gs850 would only turn 5000 rpm with pods (apparently the person who put them on did not re-jett as needed). I bought an airbox and it runs 8-9000rmp easily, and runs like a new machine. Don't let anyone talk you into pods.

[J_C]

It's too bad my stock airbox is missing the lid. Looks like I should find a replacement for that since the tolerances were so strict; unfortunately the lid isn't sold separately.

I also need the chrome sidings

[Joe Nardy]

I disagree with all the negative pod sentiment. I went with K&N pods, already had a pipe. I bought the K&N (Dynojet) jet kit on clearance for $40. Setting it up as recommended (Stage III) got the jetting very close. All it took to get it right was raising the needles a couple notches. The performance increase was more than I expected. I've never gotten so much horsepower increase for so little money.

Thanks,
Joe

[Planecrazy]

If all you're missing is the top of the airbox I'd check with somebody whose got one and see if it's a simple fabrication to duplicate it...

Regards,

[KEITH KRAUSE]

I like pods.:twisted: As long as they're K&N's.

[Boondocks]

It's too bad my stock airbox is missing the lid. Looks like I should find a replacement for that since the tolerances were so strict; unfortunately the lid isn't sold separately.

I also need the chrome sidings

The critical part commonly referred to as the airbox is the front part which is connected to the carburetors. The separate rear section houses the air filter, and this is the part which has the cover (lid). It was discovered early on that the 16 valve GS1100E would develop more horsepower without the cover, which proved to be restrictive at high airflow levels. This is probably why yours is missing. I took mine off also, about 25 years ago and it's been fine without it. Many others are also running without lids. I wouldn't worry about the lid (its covered by the seat anyway), but the chrome side covers are nice looking and worth finding.

[The Kelzer]

Truth!!
The design of the stock airbox was created by the dudes at Suzuki and they REALLY knew what they were doing. There isn't anything anyone's created that works with the stock jet settings like the stock airbox.
There's always been something wrong with the way the air flows in the replacement box or air leaks or vacuum issues. Suzuki really made their product to strict specifications and they must be abided by if you choose to go with stock jetting.

Yeah, but give us hell when we try to discuss the advantages of motorcycle oils vs current auto oils. Whatever, that was a different post.

Aloha,
Kelzer

[J_C]

Thanks for the info re: the box! I forgot that Chef had told me the same thing re: the cover several weeks ago.

I personally have decided to wait on podding for now as a result of this thread. I have plenty to try and figure out in these carbs without monkeying further with rejetting... for the time being I'm sticking with my airbox. But once its restored, I'd like to venture into some of this stuff. More to look forward to!!

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Interesting how some owners say that removing the air box lid did'n't require a jetting change, while others have had to change once they decided to do some plug reads/tests.
I've found that removing the lid leans out all three jetting circuits.

[Boondocks]

Interesting how some owners say that removing the air box lid did'n't require a jetting change, while others have had to change once they decided to do some plug reads/tests.
I've found that removing the lid leans out all three jetting circuits.

Are you using an aftermarket 4 into 1 or a stock exhaust?

[Joe Nardy]

I like pods.:twisted: As long as they're K&N's.

There you have it.............If both Keith and I like them it MUST be right!

Joe

[Clone]

I changed the Yammy to a pod to see if there was any difference worth the work, I didn't notice much
Now, besides having the carb off more times than I care to count to get the jetting set to where it isn't overly lean, it still doesn't idle well until 5+min of riding, but I can't spare the time to pull it all apart again. Will I do it to the Suzuki? NO!:shock:

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Are you using an aftermarket 4 into 1 or a stock exhaust?

I run a V&H pipe today, with K&N ovals.
My first experience with removing the lid (but keeping the stock exhaust on) was when two friends and I all bought new '79 GS1000's just a month apart. Wasn't long before those two started tinkering. I was actually the last to try. I wanted to see what happened to their bikes.
They had problems. Some minor, some more than minor and we all just started learning about jetting/carburetion. Removing the lids significantly leaned their bikes. Over several rides, their plugs lightened up quite a bit. We also tried cutting the air boxes and all that stuff. Same thing. If the air flow increased enough, the mixture leaned out and we got light pinging, etc. I always had more patience than they did and I ended up re-jetting their bikes. Mechanics from local shops would suggest certain things. More often than not, their suggestions made the bikes run worse. I just took a common sense approach to this stuff and tried to read and learn a lot. We had the carbs off so many times I can't remember.
Most of it comes natural to me now, though not all of it.

[Detman101]

Yeah, but give us hell when we try to discuss the advantages of motorcycle oils vs current auto oils. Whatever, that was a different post.

Aloha,
Kelzer

Hehehehehehe...

[The Kelzer]

By the way, Pods can be used on non-CV type carbs without the many tuning woes you would get with a CV type carb. Just so the Non-CV guys don't get freaked out by this post.