VM carbs - fuel pilots broken

[Pendulum]

As the title says.... Tore my VM carbs down this morning, to find 2 (so far) of the fuel pilot screws broken. This might explain the richness lol

Is there a known/proven way to get the tips out of the carb bodies? I saw the sharpened awl method but I don't see how that'd work on the VMs. Any help is much appreciated!

[Big T]

I think I heard some guy has a website where you can find that info

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/cbsaunders/gs/pilot_screw_removal.pdf

[azr]

Tons if info in the search function on this exact problem as well. Just for your info I picked up new fuel screws for my 850 VM carbs from Z1, they came in the carb rebuild kits they sell. Not sure if they are the same size for you 550 or not but worth looking at their site. Make sure you dip and clean those carbs properly, it's all in the link BigT gave you.

[Pendulum]

I actually read that info weeks ago, and for some reason thought it was for the CV carbs.

Now I'm trying to figure out where to get these screws from. I have 4 rebuild kits, but they don't include the pilot fuel screw... Just the pilot air screw. I've looked at the manual from Basscliffs site and the exploded view on Bikebandit.com, and neither show the pilot fuel screw... Just the pilot air screw. This makes it difficult to get a part number and call local shops. I also didn't see the pilot fuel screw on Z1s site, or Bike Bandit. I read somewhere that I could sharpen my broken ones, but I'd rather have new ones if possible.

[azr]

ya I've never seen the fuel screw on a parts fiche either, it was a glitch that happened for some reason, so ordering from Suzuki is virtually impossible. Here's the link for a 1979 GS750 carb rebuild kit, it's not your bike but the fuel screw might be the same, I have no idea though. You'll have to do some searching on here or ask around, I've never torn apart a 550 before.

http://www.z1enterprises.com/Carburetor-Rebuild-Kit-GS750-197779-487.aspx

[Pendulum]

Thanks! Those gaskets look identical to mine. I'll start checking it out. I really do not want to have to order 4 new carb kits though. That's $100 for 4 little screws. Honestly at that point, I may as well look into converting to EFI lol

[mvalenti]

Saw this...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FOUR-Suzuki-GS550-Carb-Rebuild-Kits-Keyster-Kit-77-79-/110772063788?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item19ca878e2c

price looks good considering I spent about 22 bucks a piece on mine.. plus shipping, from Z1. I will say, Z1 has great service and the most bang for the buck when it comes to parts in the kit. I saw some kits for 20 bucks that were no more than gaskets and a couple orings....

my 2 cents

[John Kat]

I had the same issue on a GS 1000 with VM 26 carbs.
In the end I bought a set of carbs and replaced the damaged one as the fuelscrew is NOT sold as a separate item...
I managed to help a guy from Belgium with the same issue by selling him one of the spare carbs.
If you have the same carbs,tell me which one is defective and I will tell you if I still have that carb?

[Big T]

Some people have had good luck resharpening them

[Pendulum]

Saw this...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FOUR-Suzuki-GS550-Carb-Rebuild-Kits-Keyster-Kit-77-79-/110772063788?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item19ca878e2c

price looks good considering I spent about 22 bucks a piece on mine.. plus shipping, from Z1. I will say, Z1 has great service and the most bang for the buck when it comes to parts in the kit. I saw some kits for 20 bucks that were no more than gaskets and a couple orings....

my 2 cents

Those don't include the pilot fuel screws. Just the pilot air screws

I had the same issue on a GS 1000 with VM 26 carbs.
In the end I bought a set of carbs and replaced the damaged one as the fuelscrew is NOT sold as a separate item...
I managed to help a guy from Belgium with the same issue by selling him one of the spare carbs.
If you have the same carbs,tell me which one is defective and I will tell you if I still have that carb?

I've got VM24s. I'm not sure if they're the same for the pilot fuel screws. Still trying to find out.

Some people have had good luck resharpening them

If I can't find new ones for a decent price, I'll try that but I'd really rather have new ones.

Thanks guys.

[renobruce]

See azr's post

[Nessism]

The early 550's used VM22 carbs, which use the same fuel screws as the VM26's.

[azr]

I'm sure it wouldn't be too hard to find someone on here that would be willing to go in on a set of rebuild kits from Z1, you keep the fuel screws they get the rest... just ask around.

[Pendulum]

I'm sure it wouldn't be too hard to find someone on here that would be willing to go in on a set of rebuild kits from Z1, you keep the fuel screws they get the rest... just ask around.

I went ahead and ordered the 750 kits, and I'll be returning the 3 550 kits I didn't open. The remainder of the 750 kits will be up for sale in the classifieds.

Thanks for the help guys.

[srsupertrap]

I am in the process of restoring my GS1000EN Mikuni VM26 back to stock form. I found a couple of broken pilot fuel screws and followed Hoomgar's write up and removed the broken tips. I sent an email to Motorcyclecarbs.com for replacement pilot fuel screws. Wondering is there any other source for just the VM 26 pilot fuel screw?