Help GS550ES carbs rebuild

[jabull]

I siliconed the sleeves and cap to try and make an air tight seal on the choke plungers but it didn't seem to help much. Adjusting the mixture needles on carb 1 doesn't seem to do nearly anything to the idle, but adjusting 3 and 4 do... thoughts? In general, a quick test drive shows the bike has more power and is more responsive than before the rebuild, but something still isn't right.

[MacGyver]

I discovered that one of my starter/choke plungers would get stuck part way in the tube. I removed both plungers from the cables and dropped them into the tube. One went in and out easily at any rotated position on either carburetor. The other would get stuck part way down in one tube no matter what and in the other tube it needed to be at a certain rotation to slide in and out. I suggest you try the same with your plungers. I'll be posting more info in my thread.

[twiggy2cents]

i just dont know about mine, two sets of carbs and still rich on 1 and 2. Swapped choke cables a nd plungers(no change) set screws synced set valves swapped coils with spare ones and nothing has changed it, i can run 70mph all day long but slower/intown driving it loads up with fuel on 1 and 2

[jabull]

Thanks for the tip, I will check the plungers tonight. I am also googling (verb?) like mad to find a resource for a new set... so far the only thing that looks like a potential online resource is www.motorcyclecarbs.com

[MacGyver]

Thanks for the tip, I will check the plungers tonight. I am also googling (verb?) like mad to find a resource for a new set... so far the only thing that looks like a potential online resource is www.motorcyclecarbs.com

I ordered a set of plungers, caps, and holders from www.parkshark.com. I have not received a confirmation yet. They are about $40 for a set of two. In the mean time I may try polishing them with Brasso as Calvin B. suggested. Incidentally the plungers are one part I didn't soak, perhaps a poor oversight on my rebuild project.

[twiggy2cents]

dont soak them, they have a rubber oring bushing thing on the bottom of them

[jabull]

So, I took the plungers out and polished them nice and shiny and put them back together and the strange thing is that now the second idle screw on carb 1 makes a difference but the 1st one still doesn't... the mix screws for both 3 and 4 on the second carb both still work.. any thoughts? i've got new spark plugs as well and just rebuilt the carb. valves are a little noisy so i'm due for an adjustment there. I've also got an issue with cable routing or adjustment. I put in a new throttle cable and turning the handlebars left or right rev the engine up. Does anyone have any good tips on adjusting and routing those cables? I will search the forums in the mean time. Thanks

[twiggy2cents]

that can happen even if its routed fine, turn the handle bars to the side and adjust cable slack. If its excessive when you return to the center then work on rerouting

[MacGyver]

So, I took the plungers out and polished them nice and shiny and put them back together and the strange thing is that now the second idle screw on carb 1 makes a difference but the 1st one still doesn't... the mix screws for both 3 and 4 on the second carb both still work.. any thoughts? i've got new spark plugs as well and just rebuilt the carb. valves are a little noisy so i'm due for an adjustment there. I've also got an issue with cable routing or adjustment. I put in a new throttle cable and turning the handlebars left or right rev the engine up. Does anyone have any good tips on adjusting and routing those cables? I will search the forums in the mean time. Thanks

I would recommend adjusting the valves before worrying about the idle mix screw. As many have said, it is more important than you think. I did mine early on so I don't know how much of a difference it made overall, but #2 was tight and causing compression issues.

The plunger was the issue for me. I disconnected #1 from the cable and adjusted everything, no stalling while braking now! Until I get replacements, this will have to do, the bike will just be a bit grumpy when starting before it warms up.

[jabull]

thanks for the great tip. I was actually headed out to do that today, figuring it was the next thing on my list... and maybe should have been the first :-)