Cab Cleaning!

[Halon]

So I just got my 82 GS550 back yesterday, and started cleaning the carbs. I got completely through one of them and left the rest for today. The only thing I noticed was that the jets were all screwed in as far as they could go. I was always under the impression that you wanted them a few turns or so out (as with my nitro R/C car). Do you think someone just took the carbs apart and screwed everything back together without knowing?
Or would it possibly be compensation for a higher altitude (4300ft.)?
Also, if I went with pods and a 4>1 exhaust, would those even out the effects of the thin air on the jets or make it way worse? I know it sounds dumb, but I'm still trying to figure it out! The air up here is thinner, so I'd need more, so if I just switched to pods would it be comparable to re-jetting? Or do I have it backwards?!?!?
I followed the carb cleaning series completely, but I just wanted some input (especially from high altitude guys!) about the jets being all the way in before I get too much further.
Pics to come!


TYLER

[Billy Ricks]

Adjust each of the jets for the highest, smoothest idle you can get out of them. As for the pods and 4 into 1 you'll need a jet kit to get the bike running right. If you try to do it with stock components you'll spend alot of time and money on jets that aren't quite right. It's the needles that make all the difference with a jet kit.

[Nessism]

All jets should be fully seated. Only adjustment is the pilot screw.

[Billy Ricks]

All jets should be fully seated. Only adjustment is the pilot screw.

This is true, the jets at the mouth of the carb should be fully seated. The pilot screw is located on the head side of the carb on top. If the carbs have never been tampered with there will be a plug over the pilots. Drill a small hole in the plug and pull it out with a screw. Be careful not to pluge the drill bit into the orifice the pilots screw into so you don't damage threads.

[Nessism]

This is true, the jets at the mouth of the carb should be fully seated. The pilot screw is located on the head side of the carb on top. If the carbs have never been tampered with there will be a plug over the pilots. Drill a small hole in the plug and pull it out with a screw. Be careful not to pluge the drill bit into the orifice the pilots screw into so you don't damage threads.

Edit: got my threads mixed up. Billy is right about this.

[Billy Ricks]

You must be thinking about BS (CV type carbs), the early GS bikes have VM carbs which have the air screw on the right side of the carbs and the fuel screw which is on the bottom. No caps over the screws thus no need to drill.

His '82 should be CV's.

[Nessism]

His '82 should be CV's.

You are right Billy...I got my threads mixed up.

[Grandpa]

Cleaning "cabs"?

Why would you want to clean cabs? Do you work for a taxi company?

[Planecrazy]

Why would you want to clean cabs? Do you work for a taxi company?

Dang, you beat me to it, Nick! I really think that cabbies should clean their own cabs!;-)

PS. if you edit your original post you can fix the typo in the subject line...

Regards,

[Grandpa]

Dang, you beat me to it, Nick! I really think that cabbies should clean their own cabs!;-)
Regards,

You're such a smartass, Planecrazy! \\/

[Halon]

Tried editing it, but it just changed the title of the post, not the thread.
Thanks for the help, tho! I went back in and turned the pilot jet out about 2.5 turns. Does this sound ok? And I'm getting a 4>1 exhaust, so will I need to do anything else with the carbs?
Please excuse my noob-ish questions. I'm just now figuring out how large of a project I took on, and I don't want to screw up the carbs!
Thanks,


TYLER

[Billy Ricks]

Tried editing it, but it just changed the title of the post, not the thread.
Thanks for the help, tho! I went back in and turned the pilot jet out about 2.5 turns. Does this sound ok? And I'm getting a 4>1 exhaust, so will I need to do anything else with the carbs?
Please excuse my noob-ish questions. I'm just now figuring out how large of a project I took on, and I don't want to screw up the carbs!
Thanks,


TYLER

Depends on how free it flows. If you run pods you will definitely need a jet kit.

[chef1366]

If you have stock jets the pipe and pods would lean out the mixture. That is good for your elevation but I think it would still be on the lean side. I would try to fatten the main jet a step or two and lower the needle a half notch. You might have to also step up the pilot jet. Do you know your stock jet sizes and what you actually have installed?

[TheCafeKid]

hey chef not to hijack but do you know where i can find a jet kid for my 77?? VM26SS on it, i looked on Dynatechs site but didnt find one for those...

[chef1366]

hey chef not to hijack but do you know where i can find a jet kid for my 77?? VM26SS on it, i looked on Dynatechs site but didnt find one for those...

I can't either. Ask Keith Krause where he got his for the VM carbs.