Starting issues...all comments welcome!

[kwest187]

I have a 1980 GS550L engine mated with the BS34 carbs, Uni-Foam filters, stock headers with Harley Sporterster slip on mufflers-
I recently installed the DynoJet Stage 3 kit for the GS550M kit part number 3314.
I can't get the bike to start-
Before the jet kit using Emjunk filters I could get the bike to run, ok, using either tape around the filter, or a restriction plate inside the filter. I figured, after reading hundreds of posts from here and other sources, that once I got the DJ stage 3 kit and the good filters...it would be plug and play. It is not for me. I still do not have enough restriction to create the vacuum needed to get the CV carbs to start working.
I can pull the filters, cover the carb throat intakes, and get the bike to fire up-
I read on another forum about pod filters blocking the kidney bean shaped port on the intake part of the carb throat. People cut a section out of the filters and apparently that worked.
Anyone here do that?
Any other tips-
Anyone want to trade a smooth bore carb for my CV, hahaha-half serious!
Thanks for reading-hope to ride this thing yet this Fall.

[tom203]

"I still do not have enough restriction to create the vacuum needed to get the CV carbs to start working.
I can pull the filters, cover the carb throat intakes, and get the bike to fire up-"

The vacuum pistons just sit there during startup-at bottom of their slides - so there's no need to get them "to start working". The "choke" function ( actually an enrichment device) has the job of getting things going and it sounds like yours isn't working. When you cover the throat intakes, you're just forcing the carbs to supply more fuel, but this is the "choke's " intended function.

[Curly]

This is what mine does. I can start it with the choke once, but if I don't keep it running for a couple seconds for whatever reason, it won't start again until I manually choke one of the carbs. PITA. Got a little better when I richened the pilot jets a bit. Now I have 1.5 trys to start it.

Edit: this is only when cold. Starts great without touching the throttle when it's warm.

[kwest187]

Sweet-Thanks! Some things can't be to obvious-I'll take a look at the enrichener slide and such tonight-

[Guest]

you stated that you have BS34's on a 550?That is alot of carburetor for a 550 , What did they come off of?, Because all the 34's I have ever seen have a wider spread than a 550. If they are 34's you are going to have to feed them some fuel to over come the amount of air they are drawing. The bike came stock with 32's not 34's

[kwest187]

They are probably the 32's...I can measure in a minute-
just pulled the carbs, layed them on the bench...
Started to check the choke system and noticed that without the choke pulled no fuel drained from the overflow...as soon as I pull the choke, fuel drains for the overflow...does this seem normal-
Any suggestions on checking the starting system of the carb?

[kwest187]

After going over few BS32SS diagrams (one from bassCliff's Link) I'm going to ensure my starter circuit is clear of any debris-
I'll be checking back here periodically while doing this, so any tips you may have will be appreciated.

[tom203]

Started to check the choke system and noticed that without the choke pulled no fuel drained from the overflow...as soon as I pull the choke, fuel drains for the overflow...does this seem normal?

No, it doesn't seem normal, unless the carbs are sitting sideways on bench.

[Steve]

Started to check the choke system and noticed that without the choke pulled no fuel drained from the overflow...as soon as I pull the choke, fuel drains for the overflow...does this seem normal-
Any suggestions on checking the starting system of the carb?

Not only does it not sound 'normal', I would say it's HIGHLY unusual, because you don't have any "overflow".

I see you have very few posts, so can only assume you are new to the forum.
Have you cleaned the carbs PROPERLY?
Have you adjusted the valves?
If you have not done BOTH of these items, don't expect the bike to work properly.

.

[kwest187]

Yes Tom203 the carbs were sitting sideways on the bench when I noticed that. Steve I have not adjusted the valves. I have had the engine running decent at low RPM's using restriction plates in the filters-
The carb is pretty clean-but I am planning on double checking the starter circuit-since that is where the trouble lurks. Also I would be interested in some info on how to check my choke is working properly-
Thanks for the tips guys-

[Roybean]

Have you checked the voltage to the coils? I am working on a bike now that has a three volt voltage drop and it was a pain to start. Roy

[kwest187]

I haven't put a meter on the coils during turn over-easy enough to check. With forced rich conditions, the bike starts pretty easy-
I will check everything I can though, thanks!

[tom203]

Yes Tom203 the carbs were sitting sideways on the bench when I noticed that. Steve I have not adjusted the valves. I have had the engine running decent at low RPM's using restriction plates in the filters-
The carb is pretty clean-but I am planning on double checking the starter circuit-since that is where the trouble lurks. Also I would be interested in some info on how to check my choke is working properly-
Thanks for the tips guys-

Oh, that tube- that's the way the fuel gets to "choke" plungers- fuel enters at bottom of bowl ( see bad pic- dimple in upper right) and travels up to plungers- blow it out.

[kwest187]

I completely cleaned the starter circuit and the choke system yesterday. All passages are free and clear.
I still cannot get the bugger to fire up without covering the carb with my hand. As soon as I do that, it draws fuel out of the bowl and fires.
The float height is about 23 mm.
Is there a way to richen the starter circuit?...
Also, if I turn the bike over and over and over...then pull plug or the filter off. Its as dry as a bone in there...
It is NOT drawing fuel from the bowls for whatever reason-unless I choke the carb with my hand.

[tom203]

Strange- you're sure the tube that pokes down into carb bowl side is clear at tip ? As long as throttle plates are just about fully closed, when you crank it, there should be enough vacuum pulling fuel up those tubes and thru those little tiny holes in carb throats to supply an extra shot.