Air Screw head almost stripped

[ggreenfield]

Wanted to rebuild my carbs but the air screw on carb #3 is almost stripped. There is a little meat left but not much. How might a guy go about getting it out? I did think of buying a slightly larger screwdriver and forcing it into the slot with a gentle tap. Bad idea?

[chef1366]

Go buy some PB blaster and spray in in there and let it sit overnight. Get a better fitting screwdriver and try to go clockwise first and then counterclockwise to extract.

[J_C]

Yeah, coming from a guy that broke two carb bodies trying to get stripped air screws out, they can be a real bastard. (I broke them using screw extracter kits. If you decide to use them, exercise extreme caution)

[Norseman]

What Chef said. Patience and don't apply any force. I would add that I had success with PB Blaster, let it sit overnight, use a good fitting screw driver, and applied a little heat to the outside. I mounted the offending carb in a table vice using soft wood blocks to mount. I used a propane torch on lowest posible setting. Turned clockwise 1/4 turn then counter-clockwise, and repeated gingerly until it had backed out.

One carb was stuck so bad (someone had overdosed on locktite) I ended up mounting the carb in my drill press, tapped in a center guide dimple, started with a very small bit down 3/16 and gradually opened it up to accept a hefty extractor. I then repeated the PB/wait/light heat process, and it came out without damage to carb body.

I got replacement screws from motorcycle.com, but they are expensive ($14.95 ea. with no shipping fee). Also, the replacements are brass rather than the original steel, but they come with the spring, washer, 0-ring, and plug. Hope this helps.

Norseman
GS650GLX

[ggreenfield]

I got replacement screws from motorcycle.com, but they are expensive ($14.95 ea. with no shipping fee). Also, the replacements are brass rather than the original steel, but they come with the spring, washer, 0-ring, and plug. Hope this helps.

Norseman
GS650GLX

OK thanks I was looking for a replacement air screw. Can you show me exactly where on motorcycle.com? I was unable to find anything for sale there at all. Must've missed it!
I did find some carb kits at the oldbikebarn for $20 here. Sure it's a few dollars more but you get more stuff. It seems to have the part I need anyway. Maybe it's a waste of another $5? I dunno.

I did have the carbs apart once already and everything appears to be fine - the bike actually runs pretty good. Seems I only need to replace the rubber parts and any bad gaskets but I think the gaskets are all ok. The carbs do not leak at all after I reassembled them. So let's see if I have this correct....after I get the orings from cycleorings.com (and the new air screw from somewhere) that should be it for parts right? (assuming the gaskets are OK).

[Norseman]

Replacement Pilot (Air) Screws

Hi, ggreenfield.

Actually I called them, and they were very helpful. I have a 1981 GS650GL with BS32 carbs. I don't have the part number, but their phone number is
770-974-8851. I got the screws with spring, washer, o-ring and plug (which I didn't use) in three days.

All I did was give them the bike model and year, and the guy helping me looked it up. Hope this helps.

Norseman