Fuel Filter Causes Prob?

[JAS]

would/could an automotive inline filter cause a problem?? i have went thru all the steps to make my bike run richer-orings,seal air box etc.....still lean grabbing at straws. the mixture screws still have factory plugs over them.i wanted to get it back right,without uncovering the screws[last resort]. but im out of ideas..thanks in advance for your replies 1982 GS650G

[hoyterb]

Does it have a stock exhaust or an after-market? What fuel filter ?

[tkent02]

would/could an automotive inline filter cause a problem?? i have went thru all the steps to make my bike run richer-orings,seal air box etc.....still lean grabbing at straws. the mixture screws still have factory plugs over them.i wanted to get it back right,without uncovering the screws[last resort]. but im out of ideas..thanks in advance for your replies 1982 GS650G

The original screw position is not correct, it was as lean as it could be with a brand new engine and 1982 gasoline, you need to turn those screws out a little bit. Assuming a stock engine, pipe and intake the slides, and needle positions are probably rich enough, they only went super lean on the pilot jets, as the smog testing was only done at low power. Once it's running better try a bigger mainjet just to see, it will probably run a little better on top too. If you have time and inclination go through the entire jetting /plug chop routine, you may be surprised.
The correct filter is not a problem, but automotive ones are. They are designed to have fuel pushed through them with a pump, which we don't have. Get one made for large motorcycle engines, for a 5/16 inch hose on both ends, the type with the gold colored porous stone inside.

[JAS]

stock exhaust,it had an inline filter when i got it,i had a small auto filter laying around,i when doing my carb work,i replaced it

[BlackStar]

An automotive type of filter will cause problems because it will not flow enough fuel in a gravity feed system. You need to use one designed for a gravity feed system. Even then, it seems the lines need to be routed carefully to ensure you have enough fall in the lines. Ask me how I know?
Finally just cleaned the tank properly and got rid of the filter.

[Steve]

... the mixture screws still have factory plugs over them.i wanted to get it back right,without uncovering the screws[last resort].

Actually, because they are so easy to get to and are most likely the problem, they should be your first resort. :shock:

As others have mentioned, use the proper filter if you feel you really must have a filter.
If you can't find a motorcycle-specific filter, look in the lawn mower section. Most lawn mowers also have gravity-fed fuel systems.

.

[JAS]

You are correct sir,they should have been my first resort.I just had my blinders on,got tunnel vision:-|,thanks for all the feed back.whats the BEST way to get the plugs out over the mixture screws??

[hoyterb]

"whats the BEST way to get the plugs out over the mixture screws"

Drill a small hole in cap and use a small screw to pull it out.

[Nessism]

"whats the BEST way to get the plugs out over the mixture screws"

Drill a small hole in cap and use a small screw to pull it out.

Don't drill too deep - only deep enough to go through the cap. You might want to wrap the drill bit with tape so only the first 3mm or so is exposed - that way you won't drill too deep.

Once you have a small hole in the center of the aluminum cap, screw in a sheet metal screw just enough to grab the cap - then using pliers on the screw, lever out the cap. Takes a little muscle but you will get it.

[earlfor]

Yes, automotive fuel filters are meant to be used with a fuel pump which creates pressure. They will not flow sufficiently (usually) by gravity feed as is on the GS. There is a fuel filter screen inside the gas tank and around the fuel pick up tubes on the petcock. No additional fuel filter is needed anyhow.

Earl

would/could an automotive inline filter cause a problem?? i have went thru all the steps to make my bike run richer-orings,seal air box etc.....still lean grabbing at straws. the mixture screws still have factory plugs over them.i wanted to get it back right,without uncovering the screws[last resort]. but im out of ideas..thanks in advance for your replies 1982 GS650G

[themess]

The original screw position is not correct, it was as lean as it could be with a brand new engine and 1982 gasoline, you need to turn those screws out a little bit.

Having bought a 1982 GS650G new and ridden it for 15 years, I assert that the factory adjustment on the screws is dead-nuts perfect. There is a strong chance that your carbs are full of resins that can only be removed by dipping in carburetor cleaner, and that cleaner will destroy an O-ring under the idle adjustment screw. That would be the reason to remove the screw.

As far as automotive fuel filters go, note that many cars get better than 30 mpg, which means that they use only about 50% more gas than many GSes, despite having engines several times larger and weighing 5 times as much. The pressurized fuel systems push gas through filters, while we only have a few inches of gasoline pulled by gravity. The stock petcock includes a filter. Why do you want another filter?