Bringing a 78 GS 550 back to life. . .

[steveb922]

Try here:

http://gsarchive.bwringer.com/bikecliff/images/vm_carb_rebuild.pdf

[Wangofree]

Thank you Steve! You are a scholar and a gentleman. Appreciate the link.

[Big T]

The GSR is the best self help forum around

You should explore it more

https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ers-CLICK-HERE!!

Read all of the links

[Wangofree]

I get the point, or not. . .

Well, this sucks. I've pulled the pilot fuel jets out and 2 of them have been squashed. I don't believe I'm guilty of this, trying to be careful when reinstalling a couple of months ago. If that's true I evidently didn't pay much attention at the time to their condition.

My concern now is have the ends of these embedded themselves permanently in the body. As BT has suggested, time to search. . .

[1978GS750E]

You can get the broken pieces out. Just take a very sharp awl or pick, open up the tops of the carbs and push the broken pieces out. I just had to do one on my carbs. It takes a good amount of force to get them out but they will come out!

[Wangofree]

You can get the broken pieces out. Just take a very sharp awl or pick, open up the tops of the carbs and push the broken pieces out. I just had to do one on my carbs. It takes a good amount of force to get them out but they will come out!

Thanks bro, that's good news if I can find some replacements.

[mattd1205]

Thanks bro, that's good news if I can find some replacements.

Some inexpensive VM carb rebuild kits have the pilot mixture screws.

[Wangofree]

I've searched for an answer as to whether the pilot fuel screw should have a spring on it? I don't find it on the BB fiche. Could that be because it's adjusted at the factory and not to be disturbed?

This is the item I'm wondering about:



I've checked with Z1, and Partszilla and can't seem to get an answer. I think they think I'm asking about the fuel/air screw which we all know does have a spring on it.

Thanks for any thoughts.
Mike

[Big T]

If you had looked at the VM carb rebuild tutorial, you will find the answer on page 5.
You can get new pilot fuel screws from Z1, they're listed for Kawasaki and have a longer head.
The answer to your spring question is yes. Look carefully down the hole in the carb and they might still be in there.

And, I believe there's a tutorial on removing the broken tips on Basscliff's site

[Wangofree]

Thanks BT, I've removed the tips on carb 2 & 3. And thanks for your quick response. I appreciate knowing about the Kawasaki reference. Actually, I saw page 5, saw the spring, but could NOT get an accurate response from Z!, or any of the other vendors as to carrying this spring, so, I began to question whether the VM 22 used a spring or not.

I'll give them a call. Thanks again.

ps: Here's Z1's response: (This spring reference number they gave me is for the Fuel/Air, not at all attached to the picture of the Pilot Fuel screw I sent).

Good morning Mike,


Unfortunately, we do not carry the spring you are in need of. I did some searching and it looks like partzilla.com has them in stock. Below I have attached the OEM number, you can use that to search on their site.


OEM #: 13268-01010


Thank you,
Ethan

Z1 Customer Service Team

[Big T]

Try a ball point pen spring, shortened

[Wangofree]

That's a good idea. I tried it before and even at it's shortest length the needle just wouldn't go down far enough to start the threads. I figured the spring diameter is too wide.
It would be great if someone had a part number for this spring.

Looking at Bike Bandit, Babbitt's I'm not even seeing the needle, much less the spring:

[aclaytonb]

I've a pile of these on my workbench at the moment....

[aclaytonb]

I also have three good carb bodies sitting on the bench, as I just got done dealing with this problem on my bike. Some genius catdog broke off the tip in the #3 and it took wallowing out the hole to get the nib out. So...i have #1, #2, and #4 carb bodies with their requisite parts lying around if you just need a carb body swap.

FYSA - Theres several ebay companies that sell reproduction screw sets but they cost half as much as a bank of used carbs.

[Wangofree]

The last couple of weeks I've been adjusting the carbs. Small adjustments to get the right fuel in the bowl without having it overflow.







The carbs are installed on the bike, getting good spark, timing is spot on, but it just won't start. Puzzling to say the least.
Spark at the right time in an atmosphere of hydrocarbons should go boom. I had the pilot fuel screws removed and put them back at 1 turn.
My guess is I may have to increase it to 1.5 turns. There is nothing, not even a "pop" or the slightest indication of ignition. Weird.

I may have to use that roll of paper towels in the top picture to dry my tears.