GS425E adjustable needle - raise and shim?

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  • JBI
    • Jan 2026
    #1

    GS425E adjustable needle - raise and shim?

    Hi,

    I've got a GS425E, had it for years. Recently the foam air filter started coming apart internally and it plugged up some vents on my carbs, so while I have them apart I figured I'd go ahead and swap the nylon and SS washers' places on the carb needles to get rid of the lean problem I've got.

    But wait. I thought these needles were supposed to be non-adjustable? Mine are stamped 4F24 and have 5 slots for the e-clip, and it's in the middle slot. So I'll put it in the lowest slot to raise the needle...which begs the question, are these things so out of proper mixture adjustment from the factory that you have to both move the e-clip AND swap the washers? The old articles I saw didn't say anything about moving the e-clip, just swapping washers.

    I'm at 1700'. If I don't hear back, I think I'll just move the e-clip and leave the washers where they are for now.

    Thanks for any insight.
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    • storm 64
      Forum Sage
      Past Site Supporter
      Super Site Supporter
      • May 2012
      • 4582
      • Youngstown,Ohio
      #2
      I think the washer swap was for the needles that didn't have the adjusting grooves. I would just adjust the needle by moving the e-clip. More information about you 425e. Original condition? Any pictures?
      My Motorcycles:
      22 Kawasaki Z900 RS (Candy Tone Blue)
      22 BMW K1600GT (Probably been to a town near you)
      82 1100e Drag Bike (needs race engine)
      81 1100e Street Bike (with race engine)
      79 1000e (all original)
      82 850g (all original)
      80 KZ 650F (needs restored)

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        • JBI
          #3
          OK, thanks. That's what I did. Yes, it's original, has 8,900 miles on it. The first contact I had with this bike was 15 years ago when I went through the carburetor and brake system for a friend of mine; he wanted his wife to learn on it and I got it going for him...at the time I think it had 4k miles on it. It then pretty much sat for 5 more years, and then I bought it from him with basically the same miles. So I've put over half of the (still low) miles on it myself. It rides well for it's age...just that annoying leanness.

          I'm going through it for the upcoming season; I'm going to let a friend of mine borrow it for the year. New Avon AM26's are here, I'm going to flush the brake fluid, replace the speedo and clutch cables, I've now got the carbs reassembled with the needles lowered, new battery, new chain, replaced the right side crank seal which was oiling the points and making a mess of the right underside of the bike.

          I've got an oil leak at the head-to-valve cover gasket, but will let that go until next winter. At that time I'll also replace the valve seals and the jug-to-block gasket. I also need to come up with a new points backer plate because some genius stripped the right point's pivot screw threads by overtightening sometime in the distant past.

          No pics right now; it's just another dust-covered 425 at the moment. Not in exceptional shape, but it's also not junk and is a survivor.

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