carb and general maintenance question

[Pyrowuzzup]

The previous owners of our house left us a 1981 gs650e in the shed. I'd estimate it had been sitting there around 5 or 6 years. It all apears to be in fairly good condition except that it's missing the carb assembly. Also the rubber intake flanges are pretty badly deteriorated.

I've been able to locate some carbs for different year gs's so I was wondering if any of them are interchangable for the 650e. also am I gonna need to rebuild the engine? i figure sitting in a shed for 6 years would mess with it alittle.

[nert]

Wow
okay, guess you have time and resources on your hand. Your jumping the gun!!
Evaluate what you have. Could cost more than buying a running same year, same model, motorcycle. (if thats what you are after) Is the chassis in "new" like condition? Is the appearance outstanding? Something magical about this bike? Is this bike worth all the time and effort it may require? Are you mechanically inclined? (no labor cost) OR mislead?
You may not need an engine rebuild. A little work and carbs should get it running to evaluate the rebuild question. Engine is probably fine, unless it was destroyed, abused, or SEVERELY neglected. You should be able to locate the correct carbs from e-bay. Search and read the GS posts for additional guidance.
Sorry, may not be the reply you seek.

[Steve]

If it was in my possession and care, I would replace the intake boots and the o-rings that seal them to the cylinder head. Find a set of carbs for the bike, and also look for a stock airbox. Keep in mind that you are looking for carbs from 1980 and later, as the 1979 and earlier models had different carbs. Also keep in mind that the standard and L models had different airboxes.

Like nert mentioned, you probably won't need a rebuild of the engine, but you will have to get it running to fully evaluate it. You can get a preliminary idea by doing a compression test. Numbers won't be totally accurate, because the engine is supposed to be at operating temperature for the test, but you can still get a good idea of basic condition.


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[49er]

You have received some sound advice from Nert and Steve.
One other thing. If you haven't already tried turning the engine over, remove the spark plugs and squirt some penetrating oil into the bores. Leave the engine overnight then try turning it over on the starter.
When an engine has been sitting for an extended period (especially with the carbs off), some of the top rings will often freeze/rust to the bore. It's often only in a small area but can break a piece off the rings edge and scour the bore once it's free. You then end up with a cylinder that damages rings causing poor compression and that starts burning oil.
Good luck with your find. Do your homework before investing too much money.

[waterman]

One thing you may need to consider is that the 650e had different jetting than the 650 g or gl models. The g series carbs listed on ebay should fit fine and maybe will work but the main jet and starter jet are not the same size according to specs.

I also believe that the air filter airbox was shaped differently. The 650e is more similar to the 550 chain drive models in that it was a rectangular box with a drop in from top air filter while the g models used a foam cone filter wedged in from side.

My advise is to check to see how to make it legally yours, titled in your name, and then to decide whether to fix it to run. The 650 is a great bike with plenty of power and not too heavy. Well worth fixing.

[Pyrowuzzup]

i have been open to the idea of just putting it up for sale as a part bike but i do enjoy projects like this. there isnt anything particularly "magical" or special about this bike but i figure as long as its sitting in my garage i might as well try to fix it up. the airbox and the boot both apear to be fine. ebay gave me a few good results for carbs but i wasnt sure about them.