79' GS550 Will run on starter fluid but die after a few seconds

[Ray1234]

My bike will run when I spray starter fluid for about a few seconds and then die. Would love some help troubleshooting if anyone has any ideas.

Here's some info on it:

• Just resealed the gas tank with por 15.
• Cleaned the carbs
• Cleaned the petcock
• Tested to see if the vacuum worked and gas did indeed come out when I kicked it.
• Makes a sort of higher pitched noise when I try and give it gas.
• Might've accidently screwed with the jet positioning when I cleaned it.

What else should I check to make sure gas is getting to my carbs? Is it possible to clean the fuel line to the carb and where the gas goes immediately after the tube?
Should I try and retune the carbs and how would I do that?

 

[Nessism]

https://www.thegsresources.com/_for...tenance/46923-top-10-newbie-mistakes?t=171846

 

[Ray1234]

Is there a carb guide for the MV carbs?

 

[Big T]

VM carbs cleaning tutorial is in BassCliffs website

Gsarchive.bwringer.com

 

[steve murdoch]

https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/bikecliff/images/vm_carb_rebuild.pdf

Every thing you need to know about a proper cleaning of your VM carbs.

 

[Ray1234]

I cleaned the carbs and replaced the o rings. It now runs for a minute and dies instead of 5 seconds. Checking the valve clearance is my next step. Anything else i should do?

 

[rphillips]

Good idea, if it's been 5K, or you don't know when valves were checked it's already past time... Sure still seems like a fuel problem. Simplest thing to try is put pet cock on PRI. Cheapest easiest things first.

 

[chuck hahn]

Any kinks in the fuel or petcock vacuum lines? Will it stay running with petcock in the PRIme position?

 

[Ray1234]

I think it originally was a peacock issue but now it’s something else. I changed the petcock and now it runs for up to a minute. I tried keeping it on pri and it works the same as regular. i’ll check for kinks in the lines.

 

[Ray1234]

I replaced the shims and it still only runs for about 30 seconds with starter fluid. I know its not a petcock issue because I have gas in my float bowls. What should I check/adjust/fix in the carb to make it run?

 

[chuck hahn]

Have you tried turning the idle knob in a turn. Go one in and then al little more if it at least tries to stay running. Can apply a little throttle at the grip too to see if that helps.
When it starts give it just a little throttle to see if it stays running. If it does turn the idle knob in

 

[Cipher]

I replaced the shims and it still only runs for about 30 seconds with starter fluid. I know its not a petcock issue because I have gas in my float bowls. What should I check/adjust/fix in the carb to make it run?

Run an auxiliary tank to rule out tank and petcock.
Do so with new fuel line. Plug petcock vacuum line or clamp it.

what jets might you have modified. The jet needle should be the only thing adjustable by clip move if so equipped.
Maybe you tweaked the float tangs?

regardless if it runs fine on ether and the petcock, tank and fuel line are conclusively removed from the equation the the carbs need to be dismantled and properly inspected.

is the airbox installed?