Mystery rings in intake boots

[KRISTI'SGS550]

I bought the inner rings from the carb boots from the carb to the air box. Not the rings that have the screw fastener, but the other rings. When I took the bike apart there was only one of these rings and it was sitting in the plastic part of the air intake assembly. So my question is, where do these four rings go? I know they go somewhere between the carbs and the plastic intake but I am not sure where. Can anyone help me? Here is the schematic. The part I am talking about is #11 I believe.

http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmotorcycles/suzuki-motorcycle-gs550tx-1981-air-cleaner/o/m6090sch258837

[Nessism]

Those metal bands go inside the airbox and help hold the airbox boots in place. I think there are only two that are needed, can't remember which boots they fit onto. You can see these bands when you look inside the airbox boots with the carbs off.

[KRISTI'SGS550]

I wish I could have seen where mine were when I took the carbs off. But like I mentioned earlier when I took my carbs off there was only one ring in the entire assembly and it was laying inside the plastic part. I will tool around with it ans see if there is any spots that look like the rings can fit on or in.

Cory

[Nessism]

I think they fit inside the two center airbox boots. Are your airbox boots still installed to the airbox? If so, they fit into the center two air box boots which presses the boots into the airbox and keeps the boots from pulling off.

When I was redoing my 550T I ordered four new bands but only used two. Two others are most likely down in my spares bin.

[KRISTI'SGS550]

yeah I ordered three, because I have one. Ooops, that stinks! So you think they go on the center two?

Thanks,

Cory

[waterman]

Not sure on your 550, but my 650 has four, one in each of the intake tubes. I always had trouble keeping them in place when refitting carbs. Good luck, they should slide in to a recessed area. If needed I could go get a picture from 650 in garage.

[Bizcocho]

On my 550 the rings were on the outer two boots. Well, one was, the other was lying in the airbox. I have stopped trying to put them in because I just can't get them to stay in place while I put the boots on. There's a little groove, or cut, inside the boots that the flanges fit into.

[Kcwiro]

Tmwnni and I were replacing my airbox boots when we rebuilt my engine couple winters ago... as long as they don't get tweaked really hard use a long pair of needle nose pliers to work them in and make sure they go in flat. we got all four in with little trouble and I have not lost any =)

[KRISTI'SGS550]

One more question on these rings. They have a flat side and a side with a little lips. Which direction does the lip face?

Thanks again,

Cory

[Bizcocho]

This picture seems to suggest the rings are in the outer boots. That's where mine were. I can't remember which way the flange went, but I think it was easy to tell once you identify the slit that it fits into. Good luck, ~Rich

[KRISTI'SGS550]

thanks, rich & everyone else.

Cory