How's this for a dirty carb? (photo)

[Nessism]

Got my most recent purchase home yesterday - 1979 GS550E with 780 miles on it. \\/ Bought from original owner.

As usual, the carbs need a good clean out. Have to admit though, they are a little more gummy than anticipated.

Slide won't move on two of four carbs. Is it okay to put the carb body with slide in the carb dip? Please tell me yes (it's already soaking). I'll pull the slide out as soon as it loosens up enough to get it out.

[smagnusen]

Yikes, are you sure it doesn't have 100,780 miles on it?

[marek]

How does one even get them dirty like that? I mean, would the bike even run with all that gunk in there? Or did the previous owner store the bike in a pond for a while?

[chef1366]

That is the worst I've ever seen. It looks like the walls of a bat cave.

[Steve]

Sure, it's OK to put the slide in. What you don't want to put in 'the dip' is anything that is not metallic.


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[Nessism]

How does one even get them dirty like that? I mean, would the bike even run with all that gunk in there? Or did the previous owner store the bike in a pond for a while?

Bike literally sat for 25 years. Petcock was in the Prime position and the tank was bone dry. ](*,)[-( What ever gas there was in the tank must have flowed into the carbs leaving behind that sludge.

Going to need float bowl gaskets and maybe new needle valves and/or seats. Not sure until they soak for a while in the dip. Float are coated (obviously), any suggestions for a safe way to get the slag off? - don't want to dip those.

[SqDancerLynn1]

Soak the slides with liberal spray of PB Blaster doit a few time & let it soak if you want them to work. Berrymens will not do it

[gremlin]

i think your going to need a new set of floats. i would just dump the carbs in carb dip and let them sit for the max time the can says is safe. your looking at all ready replacing all gaskets and o rings.

[deves3000gt]

not to be a smart a$$ but i would look on e-bay for a new used set of carbs. personaly i can't see those things ever coming clean enough to run with out headaches.

[Nessism]

not to be a smart a$$ but i would look on e-bay for a new used set of carbs. personaly i can't see those things ever coming clean enough to run with out headaches.

Oh come on now! [-X We mustn't have that kind of attitude or the bike will never run. :-D

Carb number one came out of the dip a little while ago and looks fine. \\/ Got one of the stuck slides loose also. Two other carbs are soaking as we speak and the last doesn't need it.

Soaked the floats in gasoline for an hour or so and then scrubbed them down with a small brush. Followed up with some carb cleaner, more brushing...and now they look pretty good. One has some pitting on the surface but it seems to "float" the same as the others (dunked them in gas to test).

She will live...or I'll die trying. [-o<

[txironhead]

She will live...or I'll die trying. [-o<

That's the attitude! With enough carb cleaner and the occasional use of a welder, anything is salvageable!\\/

[UncleMike]

You say the last carb doesn't need a dipping. Do yourself a favor and dip it anyway.

Trust me.

[robertbarr]

It looks like that carb took up smoking at an early age.

Geez, now my specimens are at least 2nd, if not 3rd, in the Worst-looking Carb contest:

http://www.cycleorings.com/carb1.JPG

http://www.cycleorings.com/carb2.jpg

[Nessism]

Soak the slides with liberal spray of PB Blaster doit a few time & let it soak if you want them to work. Berrymens will not do it

Was able to extract one slide by soaking for a while in carb cleaner and then prying up on the slide with a screwdriver - using mucho force. Second carb was much more stubborn; slide budged reluctantly but would not come out. Wound up taking a heat gun to the carb body and once it warmed up, the slide just dropped out. \\/

[smagnusen]

hey there nessism,

you seem like the right guy to ask, I'm about clean the carbs for the first time on a newly aquired 550 that's sat for some time, how long do you have to let these parts soak?