Won't idle. Runs fine on choke?

[Guest]

My 1980 GS 550L will start and run on idle but as soon as you reduce the choke it idles down and dies. If you try giving it throttle it tries to choke out or die until you give it enough gas to get it into the higher RPM range. Is this a carb problem? I have no carb experience at all. I'm sure I can remove them but how hard are they to clean? Help! Thanks.



Kevin

[chiphead]

You have what sounds like either a clogged pilot fuel circuit and/or an air leak. If you search these forums there's plenty on info on how to diagnose and clean and fix both. Take your time and you'll be fine. To me, the worst thing on that model is getting the carbs off and on.

[Nessism]

Sounds like you need to clean the carbs. Follow the procedure on the GSR homepage (your carbs are the same). http://www.thegsresources.com/gs_carbrebuild.htm

Get a O-ring kit here. http://www.cycleorings.com/

You will also need some carb boot O-rings - need to order from the dealer.

[Steve]

Before you start tearing things apart ... is your idle adjusted correctly?

Could be something really simple there. Try raising the warm idle speed to see if that helps. When the choke is used, it tends to raise the idle speed, so that might be masking your problem. 8-[


.

[chef1366]

Could also be battery related and connections. If not try running some Berrymans Chemtool in your gas.

[airportcop]

I have run most of a tank thru it with seafoam in the gas and it is no better. Will check the other items mentioned such as idle screw, air leak or God forbid dirty carbs! Thanks

[chef1366]

If it is a problem that just sprung up unless you have rust in your tank chances are it may not be carb related.
In my experience carb problems become progressively worse and not all at once.
Did you check the petcock screen and flow?

[airportcop]

I have not checked the petcock screen but will do so after I adjust idle speed. Thanks all!

[silverkrown]

I have not checked the petcock screen but will do so after I adjust idle speed. Thanks all!

Wondering if you had any progress on this issue. I am having the exact same
issue with my bike. Will only run with choke on and gas kills it. Wondering where to start. Thanks

[fxbrry]

Mine had the exact same problem after sitting for 4 years. I took it to the shop and the technician cleaned the carb and found the jets were partially clogged. After a good cleaning, it runs great and idles just fine. It cost a bottle of carb cleaner and two hours labor.

[brveagle]

Wondering if you had any progress on this issue. I am having the exact same
issue with my bike. Will only run with choke on and gas kills it. Wondering where to start. Thanks

idle screw then carbs

[silverkrown]

Messed with the idle screw and had no luck. Decided to dive in and dip the carbs.
Should be done and reassembled tonight. I'll find out tommorow if it helped.

[BassCliff]

Mr. airportcop,

Does it run any better once it gets warmed up? When was the last time you checked your valve clearances? Just curious.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[silverkrown]

Well no luck. dipped the carbs and put it all back together and it didn't fix the problem.
Adjusted the idle crew and got it to start and run with the choke completely
off. Still have the same problem with the throttle. Any time I try to give it gas, even
with the choke all the way off it kills the engine. Not sure what to do.
Anyone have any ideas? Thanks.

[chef1366]

Well no luck. dipped the carbs and put it all back together and it didn't fix the problem.
Adjusted the idle crew and got it to start and run with the choke completely
off. Still have the same problem with the throttle. Any time I try to give it gas, even
with the choke all the way off it kills the engine. Not sure what to do.
Anyone have any ideas? Thanks.

What year and model of bike you got?