Problems!!!! '77 gs 550

[mavpsa]

As stated in an earlier post, i cleaned the carbs completely. Let all the parts dip for around 15hrs to get them really clean. Put everything back together, bench synced them (haven't vacuum synced them yet). Followed the procedures in the VM series cleaning.

Problem that i'm having is this, the bike idles fine, but then i'll get a little erratic idle. Turning the airscrews in or out does nothing but eventually turn the bike off. So i keep them set where they are suppose to be. The bike will idle normal again, but when i drop it into gear, the bike hesitates a little or just turns off. If i ride the clutch and getting going, when i eventually come to a stop sign or light, the bike cuts out again.

I happened to be at the suzuki shop to by oil for my sv. Asked one of the mechanics and he indicated it's the carbs. I can't see them being dirty, they were immaculate after cleaning. I let them sit in the carb dip for ever!!!

Please, what's the problem. Is it because I haven't vacuum synced them yet? Will that have such a tremendous effect? Also, i noticed that there's a paper filter and the book calls for the foam one. I ordered that at the dealer yesterday and i should be getting soon. But can that really foul things up?

Also, the gs back fires now at high RPM's. Is that ignition timing? The bike didn't really have any of these issues when it was purchased.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, HELP!!!

[Nessism]

Did you check the points? New spark plugs? How many turns out on the fuels screw (1 turn for a start) and air screw ( 1.5 turns or so)? Check for spark by holding a plug against the engine? Paper filter is not stock but as long as it's not clogged, it should work. Also, is the bike stock?

[hampshirehog]

Don't be offended but on the 550 there are 2 jets in line in the pilot circuit, the small one being hidden 'deep in the bowels' - did you remove these and clean?

Bench synch should be good enough for you to avoid the trouble you're having, though you should do a proper synch as soon as.

[mavpsa]

hi

yeah, the fule screw is out 1 and the air 2. new spark plugs, oil change and waiting on the filter.

Don't know what it could be. I want to vacuum sync them, but just wanted to take her out for a spin to see how it was running.

i did take out that litte screw, deep inside by the bowels. cleaned that as well. almost missed it actually.

yeah, the bike was revving fine at first, but the minute i dropped into gear, she always wants to stall out.

would vacuum syncing make that much of a difference? paper filter is not clogged.

haven't checked points because it looks to complicated. I don't have the tools.

[Nessism]

haven't checked points because it looks to complicated. I don't have the tools.

Points are easy to check. Take a look at them to make sure they are not all pitted out. Service manual provides instructions on how to check them...all you need is a feeler gauge and screwdriver.

[mavpsa]

Hi Nessism-thanks for replying. The manuel indicate a continuity device and a timing light. Tools i don't have.

What i really want to boil down is what is making the motorcycle run that way. I thought a thorough carb clean would've made things better. apparantly not!! It appears to idle fine when started, it just doesn't idle well when put into first and like i said earlier, if i get to a stop sign or stop light, it just dies out. is that a carb problem or ignition problem?

[Nessism]

Hi Nessism-thanks for replying. The manuel indicate a continuity device and a timing light. Tools i don't have.

What i really want to boil down is what is making the motorcycle run that way. I thought a thorough carb clean would've made things better. apparantly not!! It appears to idle fine when started, it just doesn't idle well when put into first and like i said earlier, if i get to a stop sign or stop light, it just dies out. is that a carb problem or ignition problem?

Sounds like a carb problem but weak spark can cause the bike to not carburete correctly.

[mavpsa]

thanks Nessism. even if i just replaced all four spark plugs? also, i did an oil change.

what could i have done wrong? To clean carbs i did the following:

1) removed all internal parts and o-rings.
2) soaked bodies and all brass in carb-dip for like 15-18 hrs.
3) put everything back together and set the air screw at 2 turns out. Fuel screw at 1 turn out.
4) bench synced them
5) put carbs back on motorcycle and started it up. Ran nice!!! but then, problems started happening. Sometimes it would rev slightly erratically, then shut off.
6) Would ride bike, and like i said, at a traffic light or stop sign the thing would just cut off.
7) When revving bike in neatral, it backfires slightly at like 6K rpms's.

Don't know what to do. I don't want to take it to a shop and pay more than what the bike is probably worth to get it fixed. I think i can do it myself, your help and everyone eleses as well.

What shoudl i do next? pull the carbs off? spray them down w/carb cleaner?

[coltrain]

The ignition will have to be addressed my friend. I dont like messing with points either but your gonna have to if not now but later. If carbs are clean and the vaccuum line is plugged back into the carb and petcock right? Then ignition timing and points is next. Did it run differently before ya messed with it?

[mavpsa]

Hi Coltrain---the bike ran ok. Never really got the opportunity to really ride it. I just purchased an '08 SV650s, so i have a bike to ride. BUT, i really love this bike.

i cleaned the carbs because it was something that i figured needed cleaning and i wanted to have a crack at it. It seems to be that the bike has been neglected somewhat.

I would love to check the timing, but i encountered a probelm. one of the screws holding the cover is rusted and stripped. gonna have to find a way to take it off. Also, when i read through the manual, it really didn't give a detailed review on how to check the points. I recall it saying something about # 1 & 4 and making sure the clearance was set at a certain mm. but it really didn't detail how to do it, so i'm scared to mess w/it.

basically, to answer the question: No, it wasn't running like this before the carb clean.

i just want to get this thing running. Can someone dumb down the ignition timing for me? Please? Pretty Please.