New used engine, ?'s & tips

[Anonymous]

Hello, I am new to the board. Wow, great stuff and great people from what I can tell. I got an '81 GS550 in decent shape. It seems to run good w/ decent power. I can abrely get it over 75mph but then again I am a big guy around 230 & 6'1". It won't hold an idle when warm, even after carb syn. The shop mentioned that the motor might be shot, old, abused, whatever... I found an '80 GS 550 E motor on ebay. The guy tore is down and said everything looked like new. All 4 cyl. had 140 compression he said. I ordered a new overhaul gasket kit for rebuild cause he is sending in pieces, cheaper shipping that way. What else should I check, replace, etc... I know this question is a bit ambigous but I'm just looking for tips really. This will be my 1st motorcycle engine build/rebuild. Also, I am not sure the shop I used cleaned the carbs at all, should I do this at the same time?

Thx ahead of time!!!

[Billy Ricks]

Doesn't sound like the shop cleaned the carbs. That seems to be the number one problem people have, dirty carbs. There is a carb cleanup series you can find on the site homepage. While the carbs are different than yours it should serve as a guide to help you. Get a service manual for your bike.

[first timer]

check for leaks around your intake boots (the ones between the carbs and the engine) you maybe getting a leak and leaning the engine out. my 550 with my girlfriend and i on it is pushin about 300+lbs and it does fine. btw the 550 engine is bullet proof so your engine is probly good and just a carb issue.

-ryan

[Anonymous]

The intake is leaking. The boots look old and worn, not to mention some peeling. Where can I get some new ones & o-rings?

P.S. While driving yesterday, I paid careful attention to my problem(s), 1) While on the highway, if I gun it & try to accel hard, it bogs for a second then picks up, 2) I had to set the idle screw high around 2000-2100 to keep it from dying at lights. I plan to rebuilt the carbs & clean good, which I am sure is not helping here, other than the intake leak, is there possibly anything else to check or be concerned w/?

Thx!!!