So I got the 550 started up...

[Gixxer Dan]

Like the thread title says: I got my 550L started up for the first time since I got her home a couple of days ago. I have not done anything to the bike yet as far as tune up or cleaning or what not. I just managed to start her up to see how she holds on idle and to listen for any discrepancies. So after playing with the petcock I managed to get fuel into the carbs to get her started up. After I got it fired up with the choke on, I got to give it a little throttle to keep it going or else it would die off on me, even after letting it warm up for a little bit.

The carbs are exposed and I don't have the intake boots on them yet, So i'm pretty sure that in conjunction with it sitting for awhile are the reasons its a lil rough. Is there anything I need to adjust on the carbs to bring the bike back into more harmony?

Question though, do the GS's usually sound pretty loud? I'm talking about like a lawnmower from hell?

And last, but not least: The new petcock I put on the tank (surprise, surprise) doesn't have a lever. So I have no way of telling what setting its on (fuel, res, prime). Here's a picture of the valve. Hopefully one of you knowledgeable members can give me an insight on how to tell.

[Nessism]

There are not a lot of adjustments but for starts set your pilot screws to three turns out from lightly seated. Bike won't run properly without the air box hooked up so don't expect much.

I have some L model exhaust pipes on my E and don't care for the sound; louder than a regular 550 or E model which use the same pipes and more throaty so to speak. My pipes are almost brand new (got a good deal off ebay) so if yours are rusted out or what have you let me know and maybe we can make a deal of some sort; there are some mufflers on ebay I'm going to buy but I'm going to need some stock head pipes.

Good luck.

[Steve]

I was going to ask what year your 550 was to be able to tell what carbs it has on it, but from the picture, I see that you have the BS series (CV) carbs. Nessism is right, they won't do much above idle without the airbox being installed. However, there is a trick you can do for shop testing. It is not accurate enough to do jetting checks, but for shop use or a quick test ride, it works well.

Fold a shop rag in half, drape it over the carb inlets. Use a hose clamp or a wire tie to hold the rag to carbs 1&4, keeping it somewhat taut over 2&3.
This provides just enough resistance for the carbs to work at openings more than idle.

.

[Gixxer Dan]

Thanks for the shop trick Steve. Will do on that and see where I go from there.

As for the petcock, is there anyway to tell what setting its on without the lever on? As you can see from my post above with the picture, I don't have a lever on my petcock. I just would like to know how to tell the setting because I don't want to accidentally leave it on prime and not know it and flood the carbs.

[Nessism]

I can't remember the answer but do a search in the archives and you will find it.

Edit: http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...hlight=petcock

[Gixxer Dan]

I'll see what I can find... thanks guys

[chef1366]

You have it on prime in the picture. Back and forth is run.

[TheCafeKid]

The poop petcock. One of those "what were they thinking" designs

[BassCliff]

That's funny right there...

The poop petcock. One of those "what were they thinking" designs

LOL! The "poopcock"! :-D:-D

Mr. Gixxer Dan,

I'm going to have to shake some time loose soon and see if I can lend a hand with your bike. I know enough to be dangerous and we're practically neighbors. I'll PM you in the very near future. Let me know if I can help.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[TheCafeKid]

LOL! The "poopcock"! :-D:-D

Mr. Gixxer Dan,

I'm going to have to shake some time loose soon and see if I can lend a hand with your bike. I know enough to be dangerous and we're practically neighbors. I'll PM you in the very near future. Let me know if I can help.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

And disgusting all at the same time!! LOL So many bad ways to go with a name like that...lol

[chef1366]

I had a pet rock once. Then the eyes fell off.