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just got a 1985 GS550E (-ES?) and idle issue

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dybz
  • Start date Start date
D

Dybz

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Hi all,

Just picked up my first bike: 1985 Suzuki GS550E-ES (i believe that's the full name?). when i picked it up, the bike seemed to be running great. idled at 1500, shifted great, all good. today i drove it around a bit, and noticed that when the engine got hot the idle would jump to 2500. i played with the choke a bit (it's a lever type under the turn signal) and it seems that either to far left or far right the choke is "on" while in the middle is the actual off position. so this sets the idle ~1500. now the issue is that in this position, the bike will stall out during idle, and if i let out the clutch it will also stall. it wasn't doing this when i picked it up. actually the drive home it was perfect with idle at 1500 all the way. any ideas on potentially what the problem could be? i'm not familiar with carbed engines so much so it'll be a bit of a learning curve, but i'm up for it.

also, since everyone likes pictures:
 
oh, and from what i've been reading it sounds like a carb cleaning is in order. just wanted to double check with you guys if there could be anything else.
 
Carb cleaning is just the beginning. You have much more to do than just that.:)
 
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well, i tinker on my car all the time (09 VW GTI). so hit me with a list of what you'ld recommend going through and i'll get on reading/learning/doing it.
 
I'm too lazy to type out a list. This topic comes up all the time. If you do a search you will find more information that you could possibly imagine.

To get you started please check search out basscliff's web site...which is nothing short of amazing.

Edit: check this link... http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/
 
Look at the 83 550 idle thread halfway down the carb forum. Follow those steps and you will have success. These guys know their stuff,but always search first.
Congrats on having a running 550,start reading on the charging system asap
 
BTW, the issue with the bike as described sounds like leaking intake boot O-rings. That's not to say the carbs shouldn't be gone through though. Please do all the bikes maintenance, not just what it take to get running at bare minimum.
 
Answer to one question is that's a E model ES has a frame mount 1/2 fairing like this
 
thanks for all the good info guys, i've got plenty of reading material. quick question; are the 83 and 85 carbs the same? they are the same manufacturer (mikuni), but my ID #'s are different on my carbs vs what i found in the carb spec thread for the 83's. mine had 43560 printed on the side, and the thread says 43410.
 
Dybz said:
thanks for all the good info guys, i've got plenty of reading material. quick question; are the 83 and 85 carbs the same? they are the same manufacturer (mikuni), but my ID #'s are different on my carbs vs what i found in the carb spec thread for the 83's. mine had 43560 printed on the side, and the thread says 43410.
Click to expand...


They should be identical. Main jets may differ california to rest of USA.

Go to the cycle-o-ring.com site and get boot rings and a carb kit.
Best money you can spend.
 
just so i know what is proper running condition: those that have 550s, if you let the clutch out slowly without any gas, will the bike stall?
 
it will if you're holding the bike in place... well it'll buck a little but will die on you. If you're idling and let the clutch out slow and let it pull you along it should just idle along.
 
yeah mine will stall out no matter how slowly i let it out unless i give it some throttle. i got the idle down to 1500 with a bit of fiddling, and it no longer bogs a bit under throttle. going to go back to driving the car until i get all the maintenance done and the bike in proper running order.
 
I do not think a bike would have sufficient torque at idle to launch the bike without opening the throttle.

Most cars and trucks will not do that.
Ease out the clutch and ease open the throttle simultaneously.
 
we were able to do it on the little 250s in the riding class. no throttle, just let out clutch, that's why i'm asking.
 
Dybz said:
Hi all,

Just picked up my first bike: 1985 Suzuki GS550E-ES (i believe that's the full name?). when i picked it up, the bike seemed to be running great. idled at 1500, shifted great, all good. today i drove it around a bit, and noticed that when the engine got hot the idle would jump to 2500. i played with the choke a bit (it's a lever type under the turn signal) and it seems that either to far left or far right the choke is "on" while in the middle is the actual off position. so this sets the idle ~1500. now the issue is that in this position, the bike will stall out during idle, and if i let out the clutch it will also stall. it wasn't doing this when i picked it up. actually the drive home it was perfect with idle at 1500 all the way. any ideas on potentially what the problem could be? i'm not familiar with carbed engines so much so it'll be a bit of a learning curve, but i'm up for it.

also, since everyone likes pictures:
Click to expand...

Welcome!

Nice looking specimen there. You have a GS550E. The GS550ES has the lower fairings as well (check my bike).

Idle at 1500 is a bit high. The choke s/b all the way off when tuned properly, so if you're in the middle of the choke swing, somethign is amiss. You're trouble sounds similar to the way my bike was when I got it and they most of these GS's are when they are first acquired.

Check my signature for helpful info for our bikes and be sure to look for BassCliff's welcome package - he has compiled a wealth of useful information from the members here and put it in one place for all of us to use.

There are three service manuals that are helpful to have:
Clymers, Haynes (if you can find it) and the Suzuki service/shop manual, which you can find here on BassCliff's site: http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/

As most of us will recommend, whatever else you do, pull and clean the carbs and replace those o-rings between the engine and the intake boots for a good start.

Best of luck!
 
thanks! yeah the bike is a 20ft-looker... as in it looks good from 20 ft haha. a few broken fairings, some bubbled paint near engine, but nothing real bad and probably good seeing as it's a first bike and i was able to drop price a bit.

i was going through some of the manuals i found for the bike and read that gas should be 85-95 oct in the R+M/2 method. what would you guys recommend? here in illinois we have 87, 89, and 93. is it worth filling up with 93? or should i stick with 89?
 
Dybz said:
thanks! yeah the bike is a 20ft-looker... as in it looks good from 20 ft haha. a few broken fairings, some bubbled paint near engine, but nothing real bad and probably good seeing as it's a first bike and i was able to drop price a bit.

i was going through some of the manuals i found for the bike and read that gas should be 85-95 oct in the R+M/2 method. what would you guys recommend? here in illinois we have 87, 89, and 93. is it worth filling up with 93? or should i stick with 89?
Click to expand...


Stick with regular gas. It will run fine.
 
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