A GS450 in Minnesota

[Dostoy320]

Hey all,

Been lurking here since I bought this bike in late May from a friend-of-a-friend. He had disassembled the carbs two seasons ago to fix a poor idle issue and never got around to putting things back together. I had gone a ride with him a few years back when the bike was running and had really liked the look of this GS, so I was pleased to get my hands on it.

After pushing it home, I sorted through the box of parts and ordered a carb rebuild kit. With carbs back together and installed a week or two later, I had the bike running. Then came a rebuild for the front forks, a bunch of minor electrical work (bad grounds and such), and new brake shoes in the rear. It's working pretty well now.

Next on the list is new "boots" between the carbs and the airbox, as the originals are really hard and I suspect not making a great seal. I have the parts, just need to get up the ambition to take off the carbs again... Any advice for easing the struggle of getting the carbs clear of that #$%ing airbox?

Here's a photo that I think I took right after I put the front-end back on post-fork rebuild.

[dorkburger]

Great looking bike. I dig the 450 e and s bikes.

.....and welcome to the GSR.

[Gorminrider]

ooooh That's a cherry of a bike! [envy-envy-envy ]

per your question I recall the trick is to remove the 2 rear fender screws that connect the two piece fender together. Take the seat off of course....Then you can shift the rear airbox back. I have a very similar Canadian GS400EX so my recollection is a personal one !

A heat gun or hairdryer (maybe) can help soften old rubber. It is pretty easy to tear off the the inner rim that seals on the carbs so warm them...a hot rag boiled in water etc. too

[trtsmb]

I don't know if the airbox setup is the same as on the 450L. On mine, I have to loosen the airbox along with the panel that holds the r/r to push it far enough back to rock the carbs out.

[Dostoy320]

Thanks, guys!

trtsmb - Yeah, that r/r panel was loose when I got it (I suppose that's how the guy before got the carbs out) and it definitely helps give a bit of wiggle room.
Gorminrider - I hadn't considered loosening the fender! I'm going to look into that when I take the carbs off. Being able to get the box back just a tad more would help so much.