How hard is it REALLY?

[gonzo]

I have a 1978 GS 1000 E. . .

Its plagued with fuel system problems, mainly I have the number 1 carb dripping gasoline when the bike is off, and my oil smells like gas.

I have No garage, No mechanical experience - but an insane love for my first bike that I got about 2 years ago.

How hard is it really to clean/rebuild the carbs and rebuild a petcock if you have no experience or help?

I plan on replacing my jets because my bike has NO airbox and filter, instead each carb has its own. I recently found out that I'll need new jets to get it to run with peak performance.

Would I be better off taking it somewhere to have them do it for me?

I tried that route once, spent about $300 only to have the same fuel problem pop up again about 8 months later.

[saddlewarmer]

get the service manual first. there are a couple of places you can download it from. i've left some previous posts on where to get it from. not at home, don't have the links on the work computer. then go from there. few tols and patience, ask questions on this forum. search and you should be able to find the links here.

[gonzo]

I have A service manual, and for carbs it says not to mess with them because they require delicate tuning. . .

Figures. . . the one problem I have and it says dont mess with it.

I have the pdf file of the carb breakdown that is here on the site, should that be enough?

[saddlewarmer]

which manual? and the carb rebuild series on this site is great info. you can tear into them. just take your time, research this site. get the rebuild kits. i've got a 79 gs1000e i'm working on slowly, as i also have a 1100L that i ride now. theres plenty of great help here.

[gonzo]

I have the Haynes repair manual. Its pretty good. . . cept for the carb section.

I want to get some jets from:

http://www.dynojet.com/jetkits/motorcycle/suzuki.aspx#1000

Unless you guys have a better place. . . I was just told that because I have a filter per each carb that I HAD to get these if I want it to run correctly.

I was going to get the O-rings from:

http://cycleorings.com/

Because everybody on the forum says they're the best.

And I was thinking about some new gaskets, but everybody says that old bike barn sucks. So I'm not sure WHERE to get those.

How do you disassemble the petcock without fuel spilling everywhere? If I have to drain the fuel tank - GREAT, but what's the best way?

[bwringer]

It's dead easy, especially with the help of the Carb Cleanup Series from this site.

Too many people, including mechanics who should know better, have an unreasoning fear of carbs. If you can pay attention, you can rebuild your carbs. If you can't pay attention, you could go work on customer bikes in just about any motorcycle dealership. An attentive owner will outperform a professional half-stoned wrench twiddler every time.

All you need are float bowl gaskets and a set of o-rings. Don't get carb rebuild kits -- they are expensive, incorrect junk most of the time. You may also need to replace intake boots and/or o-rings -- check these while the carbs are off.
A few sources for float bowl gaskets:

http://www.crc2onlinecatalog.com/

http://www.z1enterprises.com/

You can also just order them from any Suzuki dealer or Flat Out in Indy:

http://flatoutmotorcycles.com/fiche_select.asp

Remember not to get any carb cleaner (spray or dip) on any plastic or rubber parts. Too many people just start spritzing assembled carbs and end up damaging floats and seals. Sea Foam is safe on the rubber and plastic in carbs, if you need to clean these materials.

The petcock rebuild kits are also junk -- just get a whole new petcock and forget about the petcock problem for another 20 years. They're maybe $40 - $60:

http://flatoutmotorcycles.com/fiche_select.asp

To change it, simply drain the tank at least halfway (use the prime position on the petcock and a bit of spare fuel line attached to the larger outlet) into a gas can. Tilt the tank on its side, so the gas runs away from the opening, unbolt the old petcock, and replace.

[bwringer]

One other thought is that the failed "rebuild" may have been done with the junk parts from a rebuild kit, specifically the pilot and main jets and the idle screw. You may need to post pictures here or find an experienced person to ask to find out if the jets are original.

If not, you can order OEM jets from Suzuki or, if you need different sizes, from many other suppliers.

[gonzo]

I thought that I would need different - NON STOCK - Jets because my air intake system has been modified? Is this incorrect information?

[saddlewarmer]

Check your mail, please.

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Good advice above.
Gonzo, if possible, let me know what kind of pods they are and if your exhaust is stock. Also, what's your elevation? Any other issues at all? What's the recent history of the bike? Sitting a long time? Smoking at all, etc?
I'll put in my two cents about what jetting you need later tonight if still interested.

[Nessism]

Most newbies don't go far enough when cleaning the carbs. For example, they pull the float bowls but are afraid to fully disassemble and dip. It's critical to completely remove ALL parts from the carbs and seperate them from the gang. The O-rings are critical to replace since they harden with age - including the O-rings connecting the carbs to one another. Another area that people often don't properly attend to is cleaning the pilot circit. The jet orifice is super small on these and even a small obstruction will effect the function of the carbs. The whole job is simple as long as the person takes their time and does a complete job. Sometimes things just don't go as planned though. Examples are jets/screws with stripped heads. It's critical to not butcher the heads on these parts or you will have a hard time later. Use a high quality screw driver that fits the head of the screws properly. If things are not going well, stop and report back here. Some one will assist with advice.

Good luck.

[getsum]

DUDE- THERE IS A MANUAL ON SELL on EBAY for $5 right now.
I just saw it............

\\/

[mortation]

I have a 1978 GS 1000 E. . .

Its plagued with fuel system problems, mainly I have the number 1 carb dripping gasoline when the bike is off, and my oil smells like gas.

I have No garage, No mechanical experience - but an insane love for my first bike that I got about 2 years ago.

How hard is it really to clean/rebuild the carbs and rebuild a petcock if you have no experience or help?

I plan on replacing my jets because my bike has NO airbox and filter, instead each carb has its own. I recently found out that I'll need new jets to get it to run with peak performance.

Would I be better off taking it somewhere to have them do it for me?

I tried that route once, spent about $300 only to have the same fuel problem pop up again about 8 months later.

1) Go on eBay and get the stock aribox/filter back on the bike.
2) I am in the same boat with the same experience as you. I am doing it now and it really really really is very simple. Follow the instructions from http://www.thegsresources.com/gs_carbrebuild.htm keep track of your parts and you will have no trouble at all. All you really need is o-rings and gaskets. I am worried about balancing and bench syncing soon but I am sure once I get there it will be just as strait forward. If you have any problems or questions take a pic and post, someone here will always help you out. Great site!

[bwringer]

I thought that I would need different - NON STOCK - Jets because my air intake system has been modified? Is this incorrect information?

True.

You should make sure you get new jets actually made by the carb manufacturer (Mikuni or Keihin -- I can't remember which you'd have).

[saddlewarmer]

DUDE- THERE IS A MANUAL ON SELL on EBAY for $5 right now.
I just saw it............

\\/

download free from www.repairmanualclub.com
select suzuki, then 80 gs1000, then download it. or i can email chapters, etc.