Should I set it on fire?

[1978gs550E]

Hey I was wondering if you've gotten the problem resolved yet? I am about to figure out how to clean my carbs properly and how to replace my o-rings. I have a gs550 and it's running a little rough. I need new exhaust on it too but that's a different story.

Just wanted to see where you were at as I have a similar problem. Mine will run but when it starts, it wants to die unless it has at least half the choke on.

[bdub416]

As long as you pictorially documented setting it on fire ... and share those pictures ... I would be entertained.

[catbed]

dont burn it.

compression is a little weak, but not enough where it wouldnt run. your number 3 plug looks white even though its been running on choke. any one catch that?

[C.V.]

get a dyna, martek is crap

I second the Dyna s ignition. I had a martek 440 on my 79 850, had nothing but problems untill i finally tossed it and got a dyna.

[groundshock]

dont burn it.

compression is a little weak, but not enough where it wouldnt run. your number 3 plug looks white even though its been running on choke. any one catch that?

Looked strange to me as well. Side note, what is compression supposed to be, roundabouts?

[greg78gs750]

hey, i know you sprayed those babies well, you have been here long enough to know etc.....but, dont be afraid of those rubberized fuel tubes, the old "give'em a coupla wraps of teflon tape" trick admittedly sounds sketchy, and is obviously a bandaid, but.....the teflon tape does seal those leaky babies up good, and has held at least a couple thou miles for me, and would let you get a good true dip on those carbies. while you are waiting on that dyna.....

[79 sh850]

Is it possible that you have your coils wired in backwards so that 1&3 are firing when 2 &4 should be? I had this problem with my GS400 many moons ago and it was hard to diagnose since the spark was nice and strong but coming 180 deg too late. Its also an easy mistake to make since you can wire the pickups backwards or the coils backwards and achieve the same faulty result in both cases.

I would suspect some sort of electrical problem esp since you went through the carbs...I can't see it running *exactly* the same as before you did this work maybe worse, maybe better but, not the same.

Hope this helps,

-AB

[groundshock]

It almost feels like thats the case, that the plugs are in the wrong place. But, alas, theyre not.

Which Dyna is the right one? The cheap S model or is it advisable to go to the Dyna 2000? Z1 wants 384 bucks for the 2000, I aint got that kind of scratch.

[TheCafeKid]

It almost feels like thats the case, that the plugs are in the wrong place. But, alas, theyre not.

Which Dyna is the right one? The cheap S model or is it advisable to go to the Dyna 2000? Z1 wants 384 bucks for the 2000, I aint got that kind of scratch.

You dont need the 2000 man, not at all. The S will do wonders and cost a third of the 2000. You WILL need either a balast resistor or 3ohm coils, IMO, some guys say you can run it on stockers, but ive heard it will burn the coils out since they are 5ohm. You will also need to know whether you have ND or KD ignition. SHould say on your ignition plate. Stamped Nippon Denso or whatever KD is i cant remember.. Ohh, and bro, SPRAYING carb cleaner in them will NOT get all the crap out of em. You have to soak em. That gas turns to varnish in there, and nothing but soaking them for about a DAY each will get it out. Trust me, ive tried to get off the quick and easy way on these VM carbs before, and it just doesnt happen. There are too many little passages...

[groundshock]

Good info Josh.

I'm going to order the Dyna S and the Dyna Greens as soon as I sell my other seat. I'll install it when it comes and if that doesnt do the trick I'll soak those sonsabichiz for a day each.

[TheCafeKid]

Good info Josh.

I'm going to order the Dyna S and the Dyna Greens as soon as I sell my other seat. I'll install it when it comes and if that doesnt do the trick I'll soak those sonsabichiz for a day each.

Good deal. I think you will be successfull for sure. That bike will put a smile on your face bigger than the one your 750 did I think. I am a little jealous, needless to say. But soon i will have an 1100ES and then maybe the jealousy will go away a little bit, but prolly not :P I enjoy the big GK i bought off of Grandpa, its comfy as hell, and reels off miles with ease (ive had it a couple weeks and put 1000 on it already..hehehe) but its not chain driven stupid grin fun like a sporty GS.

I am working on the carbs for the guy I sold that lil 550L to that I had for a split second. Man, it looked like no one has seen the inside of those things since it was made. Looked like SNOT coating the bottom of the bowls there was so much varnish in them. I have showered twice, and cant get the nasty smell of old varnished gas off me, thats how bad they are.

[groundshock]

Mine, as far as I could tell, were quite nicer than that... There was nothing in any of the bowls, hardly any yellowing even. Only crap I noticed was under the top cap, they were brown and that all went away with a bit of spray. Every passage i could see sprayed out nice and even.

Dunno man.

[catbed]

service limit is 100psi but most people have around 150psi.

[groundshock]

Does anyone have a pic of the ignition advance mechanism on this thing?

A stock one?

[scrapper]

I ain't a mechanic but my bike was running like crap alot of the symptoms like yours. I did the float level wrong and the petcock was bad. I had set the level on the lip and don't know alot about mm so I had a guy at work show me the way to read the dept gauge I have. I was reading it wrong also. I use it for woodworking so didn't need to use it quite as intended. Good Luck, I lost some hair pulling it out but it runs nice now If all else fails shoot it then drag it behind your truck. way more fun than just burning it. unless you drag it behind your truck when it is burning