to jet or not to jet

[brower]

I'm debating about weather or not to put a stage 3 jet kit in my 1980 gs1100e. I bought the bike with a 4-1 V&H and K&N pods. It's not going to be raced or dragged but I'm not sure if I'm getting the most out of it regarding the pipe and pods.

If I put the kit in I'm assuming I have to rebuild the carbs (which I'm not against) and am wondering where to get the re-build kit. Would it be best to go through Suzuki or is there a manufacturer which is reccomended?

Also since the bike will be producing more power and as a result more heat, should I install an oil cooler? Any suggestions about which cooler i.e. Jegs, Earls, etc will be appreicated. I noticed my bike has 2 holes drilled into the block on either side of the oil filter cap. I'm assuming this is for the oil cooler but would like to be sure.

[posplayr]

Check main jets

The jet kit is probably already in it. .

If teh 4;1 and pods are already installed than more than likely someone did the jetting as well.

If you have some 130-132 U are already there. Stock Mikuni are something like 107.5 [EDITED for 80-81] check the manual to be sure.

Pos

[pjm204]

stock jets are 110 or 115 depending on the year. If you are going to do the carbs, DO NOT BUY REBUILD KITS! Buy an o-ring kit from www.cycleorings.com and bowl gaskets from www.z1enterprises.com The rebuild kits are a waste unless your stock parts are excessively worn.

[Billy Ricks]

If you go into the carbs you'll know real quick if a kit has been installed. Stock needles only have one groove, jet kit needles have 5 or 6. If it pulls clean and hard with no popping then you more than likely already have a kit installed. It would run lean if not. And as far as an oil cooler, it's always a good idea, but pods, jet kit, and pipe aren't going to raise the heat level significantly.

[Mark M]

At what point did the US bikes get non-adjustable needles? My Canadian spec 82 1100E still had adjustable needles stock and I was just wondering when the US locked them up?

Mark

[Billy Ricks]

Can't answer for certain without looking at a few fiche, but I suspect when they went to CV carbs.