1986 Suzuki GS550ES Hard to start, stall, won't run smooth - Carbs rebuilt 3 times

[Corvette95]

I am in North Alabama, anyone know where I can take my mint low mileage 86 GS550ES to get running correctly. All stock. I have taken it to three different suzuki dealers including the one where I bought it. Have had the carbs cleaned, rebuilt, rebuilt with carb kit , tuned up, valves adjusted etc. I have approved everything any shop has ever asked and it still doesn't rn right. It is stored properly, cranked frequently, non ethanol fuel, battery tender etc. I just want it fixed , not spend $500 and say "try it and see what you think or it just needs a few hundred miles put on it now, that will be $400" . It has to the 2-two barrel carbs. Any thoughts about problem or where I can get it fixed around Huntsville, Alabama? I have email another user about this and awaiting a reply. While I am here, I only have a factory manual for a 1983 GS550ES, they are almost identical but would like to get a real 86 manual-anyone have a source? Also, I want to go ahead and order some parts that I think I will needs (feel free to deter me if you think it is overkill but parts downtime is a fact on this older bike), I have found a set of OE intake boots kits with orings, should I get the airbox intake boots too-haven't found those yet, also found a Dyno jet stage one and or a stage 3 (bike is stock from filter to exhaust), and I see a recommendation for all new carb screws as the phillips strip. I just want to get this bike right and willing to spend the money, it has sentimental value. I feel like wrenching it myself, but carbs and motorcycles are not my strongsuit and don't want to disassemble something and get get it back right which wold make an already almost impossible task of finding someone competent local (300 miles) that is willing to work on the bike even more difficult by bringing it to them in parts.
Please no flames, I am an original GS man back to days I bought them new off the showroom floor (like this one). Any suggestion of parts I need to pre-order I am wiling to listen. AND BTW, I am not convinced I have a coil breaking down...I have mentioned that to the last two repair facilities. I am most concerned about syncing the dual 2 barrel carbs. HELP!

 

[roeme]

You either got ripped off, or something is missing from the description here. I don't think any decent shop would do the carbs without making sure the bike runs well afterwards.

We have already told you in the other thread about possible causes for your issues.

If you don't want to wrench on your vintage bike, then sell it and get a modern one.

Just throwing money at shops won't make it better.

You are currently repeating newbie mistake No. 10 (See the thread in my signature).

 

[TxGSrider]

When you say "doesn't run right", that's kinda vague. Maybe you can tell us more specifically what the symptoms are ?

 

[BigD_83]

The ignitor is a known problem with this particular model, but like TxGSrider, I want to hear more specifics.

Taking it to a dealer for service is probably not worth the money spent.

 

[Steve]

I see a few things wrong with your post. I have highlighted them. :-k

I am in North Alabama, anyone know where I can take my mint low mileage 86 GS550ES to get running correctly. All stock. I have taken it to three different suzuki dealers including the one where I bought it. Have had the carbs cleaned, rebuilt, rebuilt with carb kit , tuned up, valves adjusted etc. I have approved everything any shop has ever asked and it still doesn't rn right. It is stored properly, cranked frequently, non ethanol fuel, battery tender etc. I just want it fixed , not spend $500 and say "try it and see what you think or it just needs a few hundred miles put on it now, that will be $400" . It has to the 2-two barrel carbs. Any thoughts about problem or where I can get it fixed around Huntsville, Alabama?

1. Even though you may have bought it at a particular dealer, unless you have been going back there regularly, and know that they have a mechaninc there that actually knows how to work on it, that bike will be much older than most of the technicians (they are not mechanics any more) there.
2. Most "carb kits" contain parts of questionable quality. Better to use OEM Mikuni parts.
3. Frequent cranking (assuming it actually starts) without fully warming up the bike is doing more harm than good. There is a LOT of condensation that will form in the crankcase and the exhaust system unless you get it up to FULL operating temperature by going for at least a half-hour ride.

Normally we suggest that the best mechanic to work on your bike will be looking at you in the mirror every morning, but this might be an exception. I don't know the Huntsville area well enough to suggest anyone there, but I am only 6 1/2 hours up the road. I could even meet you around Elizabethtown, if that would make it easier.

.

 

[alke46]

To the OP, Steve has just offered you his services which is a very generous offer. Since you are new to this forum, I will tell you, Steve is also known as the "GS whisperer".

 

[Corvette95]

Year later, still trying to get my 86 GS550ES sorted out. Will only start (sometimes) with full choke, dies hot or cold without choke, pops out exhaust, does want to rev up- not rideable. Sent PM to Steve. Carbs rebuilt 3 + times in past 3 years, tried dynojet kit at dealers request picked it up, didn't run right at pick up, they said need to ride it and it would clear up- wasn't rideable it ran so bad, another shop went through the carbs and reinstalled all stock jets- ran little better but dies without choke. Tank is clean, non-ethanol fuel used. All stock 3k miles.

 

[Big T]

Well, your carbs aren't clean. I know you've had the "cleaned" 3 times,but, since you have no idea of what work was actually performed, the results speak for them selves

If it runs on the choke, then fuel is not going from the float bowl thru the carb passages

My best advice would be to remove the carbs and send them to Steve (or Chuck or Chef or any other members offering carb cleaning) for a proper cleaning

Look down in the Services forum for carb cleaning

 

[Cipher]

stock pipe jets and air box and filter?

Very odd
odder still is there is no carb kit for these carbs you have to buy OEM which is just as well.

 

[Big T]

2018... Always Be Carbureting!
Looking back on 2017, you probably put a healthy number of miles on your Z1 or you finally scored a CB750 after hours of scrolling through Craigslist. In both cases, a carb cleaning/rebuild may be in your near future.
• Is your motorcycle hard to start?
• Is it running a bit off-kilter?
• When you dial the throttle, are you getting the desired performance?
• Do you ride with the choke on? ( this means you have a clogged pilot jet )
• Sluggish acceleration?
• Bad fuel economy?
These are all signs that your bike is in need of some carburetor love. In most scenarios, there’s only really one way to see if your carbs are due for a complete rebuild: pull them off the bike and take a look inside. And since you have them off and dissembled, you might as well do your future self a favor and rebuild them now.

(Z1 Enterprises emailed me this today)

 

[Steve]

Sent PM to Steve.

PM replied to about 5:30 yesterday (4:30 your time).

.

 

[Brendan W]

Has anyone checked what voltage the coils are getting?
90% of carb trouble is electrical.

 

[Corvette95]

I have an extra set of carbs I was going to build with the guide of the GS Forums here, the cap is off the pilot screws but I have already ran into a problem, this is what I see in the pilot screw cavity..

 

[Corvette95]

extra set of carbs- look at pilot screw

extra set of carbs- look at pilot screw

This is the extra set of carbs I was going to try to build before I messed with the one on the bike. The pilot screw doesnt look like the diagram on the GS Forum carb rebuild page. Shouldnt there be a flat head screw?

 

[2BRacing]

The pilot screws are the flat-head screws just to the right and left of that big central "hole" on each carb.

I am not familiar with those "Siamese" carbs, so I really do not know what that big central "hole" is for.

 

[Corvette95]

Thanks, I just think I am over my head with the dual two barrel set up.

 

[BigD_83]

IIRC, that big hole is where the choke plungers attach

 

[Steve]

Yes, that is for the "choke" plungers. As stated, the pilot screws are on either side, directly over the outlet where all the air rushes through.

Have you seen my reply to your PM?

.

 

[Corvette95]

View attachment 53773This is the extra set of carbs I was going to try to build before I messed with the one on the bike. The pilot screw doesnt look like the diagram on the GS Forum carb rebuild page. Shouldnt there be a flat head screw?

The two long hoses that come out of each carb in this picture that runs out off the picture....where do they terminate?

 

[Corvette95]

I see a few things wrong with your post. I have highlighted them. :-k
1. Even though you may have bought it at a particular dealer, unless you have been going back there regularly, and know that they have a mechaninc there that actually knows how to work on it, that bike will be much older than most of the technicians (they are not mechanics any more) there.
2. Most "carb kits" contain parts of questionable quality. Better to use OEM Mikuni parts.
3. Frequent cranking (assuming it actually starts) without fully warming up the bike is doing more harm than good. There is a LOT of condensation that will form in the crankcase and the exhaust system unless you get it up to FULL operating temperature by going for at least a half-hour ride.

Normally we suggest that the best mechanic to work on your bike will be looking at you in the mirror every morning, but this might be an exception. I don't know the Huntsville area well enough to suggest anyone there, but I am only 6 1/2 hours up the road. I could even meet you around Elizabethtown, if that would make it easier.

.

I am driving from Huntsville to ERIE,PA in the next couple of weeks. If you are on the way I may can drop my bike off?