just got a 1985 GS550E (-ES?) and idle issue

[Dybz]

Hi all,

Just picked up my first bike: 1985 Suzuki GS550E-ES (i believe that's the full name?). when i picked it up, the bike seemed to be running great. idled at 1500, shifted great, all good. today i drove it around a bit, and noticed that when the engine got hot the idle would jump to 2500. i played with the choke a bit (it's a lever type under the turn signal) and it seems that either to far left or far right the choke is "on" while in the middle is the actual off position. so this sets the idle ~1500. now the issue is that in this position, the bike will stall out during idle, and if i let out the clutch it will also stall. it wasn't doing this when i picked it up. actually the drive home it was perfect with idle at 1500 all the way. any ideas on potentially what the problem could be? i'm not familiar with carbed engines so much so it'll be a bit of a learning curve, but i'm up for it.

also, since everyone likes pictures:

[Dybz]

oh, and from what i've been reading it sounds like a carb cleaning is in order. just wanted to double check with you guys if there could be anything else.

[Nessism]

Carb cleaning is just the beginning. You have much more to do than just that.

[Dybz]

well, i tinker on my car all the time (09 VW GTI). so hit me with a list of what you'ld recommend going through and i'll get on reading/learning/doing it.

[Nessism]

I'm too lazy to type out a list. This topic comes up all the time. If you do a search you will find more information that you could possibly imagine.

To get you started please check search out basscliff's web site...which is nothing short of amazing.

Edit: check this link... http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/

[Dybz]

sweet, i was trying to find something like that, thanks.

[Mista M]

Look at the 83 550 idle thread halfway down the carb forum. Follow those steps and you will have success. These guys know their stuff,but always search first.
Congrats on having a running 550,start reading on the charging system asap

[Nessism]

BTW, the issue with the bike as described sounds like leaking intake boot O-rings. That's not to say the carbs shouldn't be gone through though. Please do all the bikes maintenance, not just what it take to get running at bare minimum.

[SVSooke]

Answer to one question is that's a E model ES has a frame mount 1/2 fairing like this

[Dybz]

thanks for all the good info guys, i've got plenty of reading material. quick question; are the 83 and 85 carbs the same? they are the same manufacturer (mikuni), but my ID #'s are different on my carbs vs what i found in the carb spec thread for the 83's. mine had 43560 printed on the side, and the thread says 43410.

[JEEPRUSTY]

thanks for all the good info guys, i've got plenty of reading material. quick question; are the 83 and 85 carbs the same? they are the same manufacturer (mikuni), but my ID #'s are different on my carbs vs what i found in the carb spec thread for the 83's. mine had 43560 printed on the side, and the thread says 43410.

They should be identical. Main jets may differ california to rest of USA.

Go to the cycle-o-ring.com site and get boot rings and a carb kit.
Best money you can spend.

[Dybz]

just so i know what is proper running condition: those that have 550s, if you let the clutch out slowly without any gas, will the bike stall?

[skreemer]

it will if you're holding the bike in place... well it'll buck a little but will die on you. If you're idling and let the clutch out slow and let it pull you along it should just idle along.

[Dybz]

yeah mine will stall out no matter how slowly i let it out unless i give it some throttle. i got the idle down to 1500 with a bit of fiddling, and it no longer bogs a bit under throttle. going to go back to driving the car until i get all the maintenance done and the bike in proper running order.

[JEEPRUSTY]

I do not think a bike would have sufficient torque at idle to launch the bike without opening the throttle.

Most cars and trucks will not do that.
Ease out the clutch and ease open the throttle simultaneously.