1980 GS jetting

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  • sonicboom2
    • Jan 2026

    #1

    1980 GS jetting

    Doing some research for my neighbor who owns a couple GS motorcycles.

    He picked up a good deal on a 1980 GS 1000.

    Bike has a 4 into 1 exhaust, airbox removed K&N POD filters, bike is running very rich. We do have the stock airbox from the PO. I don't really want to put that back on the bike. I'd like to get the PODS to work.

    I need to get into the carbs and find out what jetting is in there, if it has shims installed and what not. I can start the bike without the choke and it burns my eyes.

    What I need is a good ball park figure for a good place to start for a carb set up on this bike. Because whatever the PO did is not working.

    You should see this bike, showroom condition. YIKES!!!

    I'm sure the carbs are stock they look like they are 30 or 32 mm.
  • eil
    Forum Sage
    • Dec 2012
    • 3062
    • SE Michigan

    #2
    With pods and a pipe, the most common problem is running too lean. Too rich is quite unusual. You have to crack into the carbs to see what's in there. (Perhaps there are no main jets installed? That would be kinda funny.) And rebuild them while you're at it.

    Do your neighbor a favor and point him to this website. In particular, read this post, which has pointers to everything you ever wanted to know about these bikes including links to factory service manuals: http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=196338

    If you want the bike to run right, you have to rebuild the carbs, adjust the valves, make sure there are no air leaks, the whole nine yards. All maintenance caught up on. Never believe previous owner's claims of this done and that done without the paperwork to prove it.
    Charles
    --
    1979 Suzuki GS850G

    Read BassCliff's GSR Greeting and Mega-Welcome!

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    • gustovh
      Forum Sage
      Past Site Supporter
      • Oct 2006
      • 4993
      • Vernonia

      #3
      Speaking just to the carbs, I run pods/4/1 on my 80 850, The main jet is a 225 and the pilot screws out 2 1/4 turns. That is with adjusted valves and cleaned carbs, and proper sync.

      V
      Gustov
      80 GS 1100 LT, 83 1100 G "Scruffy"
      81 GS 1000 G
      79 GS 850 G
      81 GS 850 L
      83 GS 550 ES, 85 GS 550 ES
      80 GS 550 L
      86 450 Rebel, 70CL 70, Yamaha TTR125
      2002 Honda 919
      2004 Ural Gear up

      Comment

      • Guest

        #4
        Originally posted by gustovh
        Speaking just to the carbs, I run pods/4/1 on my 80 850, The main jet is a 225 and the pilot screws out 2 1/4 turns. That is with adjusted valves and cleaned carbs, and proper sync.

        V
        225?? you mean 125 correct? 225 is huge , I don't even run that big on a heavily modded 1100

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        • gustovh
          Forum Sage
          Past Site Supporter
          • Oct 2006
          • 4993
          • Vernonia

          #5
          Yes Yes, 125.

          V
          Gustov
          80 GS 1100 LT, 83 1100 G "Scruffy"
          81 GS 1000 G
          79 GS 850 G
          81 GS 850 L
          83 GS 550 ES, 85 GS 550 ES
          80 GS 550 L
          86 450 Rebel, 70CL 70, Yamaha TTR125
          2002 Honda 919
          2004 Ural Gear up

          Comment

          • sonicboom2

            #6
            What size are the stock primary jets or would you recommend for this set up.

            Comment

            • tom203
              Forum Guru
              Past Site Supporter
              • Aug 2010
              • 8925
              • Norway,Maine

              #7
              Here's a chart that shows stock jetting




              You need to open up carbs and see what's there.
              1981 gs650L

              "We are all born ignorant, but you have to work hard to stay stupid" Ben Franklin

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