She won't start by herself

[Mr Toga]

I'm working on a 1981 GS 550 T and it fights being started. I've done a complete carb rebuild and dip (according to the guide in the garage section), adjusted all of the valve clearances, and cleaned all of the electrical connections. Right now I've got the fuel/air mixture crews 1 turn out from seated. I know it should be running rich but it won't fire unless a whole lot of starting fluid is sprayed into the airbox with full choke. Evan then It wont run for more than 2 seconds. I've replaced all 8 carb boots too. Could there be a vacuum leak somewhere? Does it make a difference that I don't have an air filter in at the moment (box is on just no foam on the cage)? Right now the bike is only running on 2 cylinders (half bad igniter). Would this be a deal breaker? Thanks in advance everyone!

[Taliesin]

Could also be a bad petcock? I'm a little worried about mine, myself.

[Nessism]

For one thing you need those mixture screws at 3 turns out, not one. Another thing is you will need the airfilter or the bike won't run right - should start though. Most motorcycle shops will sell flat stock of filter foam, get yourself a piece of the fine mesh stuff and cut yourself out a new filter and wrap it around the stock cage. Lastly, the bike won't hardly run at all if your ignitor is only firing two cylinders. Give it a try and pray, who knows maybe the ignitor will punch though some harness corrosion and the bike will run.

Good luck,

[Octain]

If it were me I'd make sure all is in working condition before I hit the start button. If you know the igniter is bad then replace it. Be sure all plugs are firing and it has good compression.
Not sure about the airbox *after* a rebuild but mine wouldnt run without the airbox *before* the rebuild. It would fire but not run.
Toss the starting fluid. That stuff aint good for anything.

Keep us posted.

Dittos on the airscrews. Turn 5 turns out if ya have to then go from there.

[jakeolsen]

On my '80 550e I was having starting problems without starter fluid too.

Someone recommended I clean out the hole that the choke draws fluid from the bowl.

Now I had dipped mine and blew a lot of air through, but all 4 were still clogged up.

If you haven't done done this, you have to find a small thin but stiff wire. The one i used was like .27 I think. When you put the wire down the hole you will have to mess with it, and then you should feel a slight step down, and then another step down. You have to run it through the other end too.

I then used the straw from a wd40 can and blew through from the inside of the bowl with my mouth. If it is clear, you should hear the air coming out, and then if you plug the hole it should sound different because the air redirects sideways.

I did this on all of my carbs, and now it will start on the first or second push with the choke only half out.

[1979GS750E]

You really need the air filter to assess issue

Most motorcycles run very poorly without the air filter...they lean out (bog down) once you rev it much above idle speed. The filter is necessary to get the carb inlet pressure right.

[Mr Toga]

Octain, I'll try from 5 turns out and see how it goes. I should be getting an airfilter soon. Jake, I took one wire out from a wire brush and was able to clean the choke holes.

Well, it kinda fires. I have to pulse the throttle a little bit and it'll start but once I let off, the bike dies. When I start it after that, it starts up right away. Looking at the plugs, its running pretty rich at 3 turns out so I'll try to lean it out a little bit