81 550L Runs rough,won't idle

[TANNERSDAD]

Starts good,but will only run with choke out and will not idle.When I try to give it some throttle it wants to die out.I took carbs apart,and cleaned them,everything seemed ok.Have good spark. I havn't changed out the fuel yet. It started after my last fuel up.Any ideas would be appreciated.

[Nessism]

Bike won't run right without the airbox and filter in place. Did you install everything?

[TANNERSDAD]

Yes, acts the same as before I took the carbs apart.

[Nessism]

When you cleaned the carbs did you take them all apart and soak the carb bodies? Remove all the jets and hold up the pilot jets to a light to make sure the small orifice is open? Replace all the o-rings inside with a kit from cycleorings.com? Replace the rubber carb connection boot O-rings? Sorry for all the questions but these steps are critical. In case you didn't know, there is a carb clean up series on the GSR homepage.

Hope this helps.

[TANNERSDAD]

No, not to that extent.

[waltfen]

I have a GS550 Katana and before I followed the Carb Cleanup Series it always started on 3 cylinders and ran like a bag of spanners up to 3000rpm.
On first impressions the carbs appeared clean but once they had been soaked and all the orifices cleaned the bike became a different beast.
It now starts on all 4 cylinders and runs like a dream.
If I was you I would order an "O" ring kit and give the carbs a good going over.
Also check the intake rubbers as they may be split and making the bike run lean.

[TANNERSDAD]

Thanks, I will check the intake O rings first.

[Nessism]

Thanks, I will check the intake O rings first.

Intake o-rings won't cause the bike to run like you describe. More likely, you have an internal carb problem - often the pilot jets are plugged. Leaking intake O-rings will cause the bike to run lean and have an inconsistent idle - typically a high idle.

[TANNERSDAD]

You were right Nessism, the Intake O rings were intact. I'll have to go though the carbs thoroughly.Well so much for my vacation ride.Thanks for the help.If she still won't run then I'll be back.If she runs I'll let you know too. Thanks again.

[TANNERSDAD]

Found intake "O" rings were leaking and replaced them. Runs like new.