Are There Any Carbs I Can Buy New As An Upgrade?

[fieroracer87]

I've had my bike for a few months now and in that time it only started before the carbs were rebuild but flooded out(i would have to blow in the vents while giving it gas for it to actually rev up) it seems like it doesn't have spark most of the time now.one carb had a needle tip broken off in it but it still ran now nothing at all. im just so lost with this thing(its a 79 gs550)im trying everything with no luck. im starting to get a list together of other routes i can take with this thing if it can't be helped but i really love this bike and i haven't even rode it.
My List Includes..
-Dyna S ignition
-plugs and wires
-dyna 3ohm dual output coils
-new petcock

The list looks like this because i can't tell if its a air/fuel problem or spark.
if i can get this thing running without having to buy any of that stuff it would be great. i just wanna be able to get to making my seat up.
If there are some carbs that i can buy new that would be great too

[almarconi]

Mr. Suzuki did a fine job designing the machine. You just need to go through it and fix all the problems. Get yourself a repair manual and check each system. You don't need to buy new carbs, rebuild/clean the ones you have. Your ignition is fine once you give it a thorough tune up. Get it running right and ride it.

[fieroracer87]

I have a manual its just that im new to the carburation side of things.

[Nessism]

Instructions on how to rebuild the carbs are here... http://www.thegsresources.com/files/vm_carb_rebuild.pdf

Get O-rings from cycleorings.com. You will also need some intake boot O-rings, order from a dealer source or drop me a PM since I have a bag full.

One other thing to consider is finding someone in your area to help. Update your profile so people can see where you live. Or failing that, send the carbs out to someone to go though them - there are several members around here that will help, just ask.

Good luck.

[nisom512]

I've had my bike for a few months now and in that time it only started before the carbs were rebuild but flooded out(i would have to blow in the vents while giving it gas for it to actually rev up) it seems like it doesn't have spark most of the time now.one carb had a needle tip broken off in it but it still ran now nothing at all. im just so lost with this thing(its a 79 gs550)im trying everything with no luck. im starting to get a list together of other routes i can take with this thing if it can't be helped but i really love this bike and i haven't even rode it.
My List Includes..
-Dyna S ignition
-plugs and wires
-dyna 3ohm dual output coils
-new petcock

The list looks like this because i can't tell if its a air/fuel problem or spark.
if i can get this thing running without having to buy any of that stuff it would be great. i just wanna be able to get to making my seat up.
If there are some carbs that i can buy new that would be great too

I think you are gunna have to rebuild the carbs are great you just need to work on them and you'll be fine.

[SqDancerLynn1]

Your 550 has the VM carbs, much easier to work on than the BS/CV style so don't be afraid of them.. Check the garage section for complete pictorial guide to rebuilding them, First you have to make sure the motor is sound,
1. valve adjustment, 2. compression test, 3. gas tank clean 4. petcock replacement 5. Carb clean 6. Intake boots & O ring inspection 7. points & condensers or Dyna ign & coils.
After all that you should have a sweet running 550
Short cuts often make the job twice as hard and take twice as long...

[bwringer]

Even if new carbs were available, they would gum up with old gas when neglected for more than three or four weeks, same as old carbs.

[fieroracer87]

Carbs were done last month. Spark seems non existance so I adjusted the points and sprays a quick spray of starting fluid in a plug hole and got a sputter out of it. So I'm figuring its fuel/air issue. Gonna replace the plugs wires and check the voltage at the coils. Might as well replace the points and condenser since I'm pretty sure the last owner didn't. The bike has 64,xxx miles

[Steve]

"Carbs were done last month."
How were they "done"? If they were not completely disassembled and dipped, then re-assembled with new o-rings, they were not "done".

"... a quick spray of starting fluid in a plug hole and got a sputter out of it."
You should never really have to use starting fluid. Properly cleaned and adjusted carbs do the job beautifully, right down until it's just too cold to ride.

"So I'm figuring its fuel/air issue. "
Yep, yet another symptom of carbs that are not properly cleaned or adjusted.

When you get your o-ring kit from cycleorings.com that Nessism mentioned, note that they also have available the intake o-rings that you will also need. They are on a separate page, so you will have to look. The total cost of the carb o-rings, intake o-rings and the highly-recommended stainless screws for the intake tubes is close to $25, so your probably won't even have to break into your piggy bank.

When you get everything assembled, turn the pilot fuel jet (the one on the bottom, next to the float bowl) in until it seats lightly, then back it out 5/8 to 3/4 turn. Turn the pilot air screw (the one on the side of the intake throat) in until it seats lightly, then back it out 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 turns. This should give you a decent idle mixture to start the bike. When it is warm, you can fine-tune the mix with the air screw.

.

[fieroracer87]

I know all the o-rings were changed right down to the 22mm ones for the boots...i'll pull the carbs again and re dip them and try again. i have to have this thing back on the road by may so i'm gonna have to push thru

[Zooks]

Sound advice on this forum. What you have is a bullet-proof bike that is just in need of some lovin'. Once you get the carbs sorted you'll be amazed how reliable it is. You can't afford to take shortcuts with the carbs though. The tiniest little bit of grit or 'varnish' in one of those teeny weeny little holes and it won't run properly.

Do it once, do it well!!

[fieroracer87]

I know it has to be pretty reliable seeing as its made it up to 64,xxx miles when other bike are retired way before then. I'm gonna do it over again.but I went thru every hole with the little wire brush bristle in the matchstick trick...but you never know so I'm willing to do it again...I just don't want to miss out on another riding season

[fieroracer87]

*update*
still couldn't get the bike to fire up so i decided i would just pull everything off since im doing a cafe' conversion and just check the valve clearances...upon taking everything out i come to find that i have no air filter. so im wondering if thats the problem. before i did the carbs it would run for a sec and cut off with full choke.im guessing he played with the carbs enough to get it to fire without the filter and i got it put everything back to factory(just a guess) so im hoping this solves my problem when everything is back together.

am i going in the right direction?

[zeebob]

the right direction

would be to follow Sqdancerlynn"s advice below... and accept the fact your bike will never run properly until you do... IMHO

regards
Z

[fieroracer87]

im not really worried about valve adjustment...its the one thing the last owner can account for and it did start when i got it but died out (outside temp was about 30degs then...so i say cold start not a prob). petcock i ordered, intake boots done, new air filter on the way, new oil and filter then i'll try again...but i have atleast another 4weeks till i get to attempt