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Only runs with choke

  • Thread starter Thread starter tcarr
  • Start date Start date
Okay, apparently I didn't explain that well at all... My idle adjustment screw is fine now.

Below are two pictures of my carburetors: the first is of the adjustment screw on carb #3 and the second is where the sync screws are at on the other 3 carbs. This is after I did my on bike sync. Any ideas why #3 is so low? or why numbers 1, 2, and 4 are so high?

IMG_20111102_183056.jpg
IMG_20111102_183105.jpg


One last question: when assembling the carburetors will the needles on the slides (#23 on Steve's diagram) line up easily with the holes they go into or do they require you to put your finger in there and line them up? When I was assembling them I had to push the needle towards the rear of the bike to get it to go into the hole on several of the carbs (can't remember which ones - could have been all of them), could that be my problem?
 
tcarr said:
Below are two pictures of my carburetors: the first is of the adjustment screw on carb #3 and the second is where the sync screws are at on the other 3 carbs. This is after I did my on bike sync. Any ideas why #3 is so low? or why numbers 1, 2, and 4 are so high?
Click to expand...

Throttle rod badly made or round the wrong way? Or air leak when you did the synch. Brain fade - I think you can get the rods round the wrong way (rotated). You can on some bikes but I might be making that up on your bike - blowed if I can remember for sure. Anyway, I would say it is unusual to have such a difference in screw height.



tcarr said:
One last question: when assembling the carburetors will the needles on the slides (#23 on Steve's diagram) line up easily with the holes they go into or do they require you to put your finger in there and line them up? When I was assembling them I had to push the needle towards the rear of the bike to get it to go into the hole on several of the carbs (can't remember which ones - could have been all of them), could that be my problem?
Click to expand...

As long as it was just a gentle guide and not forcing things straight then that is common - not a problem.
 
Checked throttle rod, seems there's only one way it can go, but I'll take a peek again.

I went ahead and took the carburetors off again (since I'm finally getting good at it ;)) And looking down the throats they look horribly off for a bench sync (pics of #3 and other's averages below - hard to tell in the pics but there is a visible difference)

IMG_20111104_192141.jpg
IMG_20111104_192146.jpg



It seems I've read somewhere that you can't sync the carbs if your valve clearances are off, so I went ahead and checked them, cylinder #3 is the only one that is okay, 1 and 4 are off on the intake side and #2 is off on the exhaust side. Could that be my problem?

One more question about the valve clearances: what is the best way to get shims? Can I order a kit with a variety of sizes? The only kits I've found online are for really small shims, these seem to be around 30mm. Is there a good source for them?

One last question: I know this thread is technically still about my choke problem which has been seemingly solved. Should I start a more general project thread or do we keep going here?

Thanks guys!
 
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Hi,

Check the GS Parts and Services section and learn about the Shim Club.

Or figure out what shims you need and order them from Z1 for $5.64 each.

Read this: Valve Adjustments (8 Valve)

For good measure, READ ME
exclaim_sign4.gif
.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
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Shim club for the win! Just did a trade for four shims. Shipping was fast. I sent him a some shims back, plus a few stamps..
 
Things I've learned during my first 3 months with a GS550

Things I've learned during my first 3 months with a GS550

Well, I think I have it all running well - as far as the carburetors - maybe a little fine tuning but I rode it 92 miles today and almost everything was peachy. After a long part of the ride I stopped for a few minutes and when I started it back up my oil pressure light came on - it didn't go out until I had it back on the road for a couple of minutes, so that's the next project I guess.
Below are some things I've learned from my first 3 months with my '77 GS550, thought I'd share them - even though everyone here already knows it all.

1. You can have the most perfectly clean carburetors, but you won't get anywhere without new o-rings.
2. If it has an o-ring, replace it. (especially on the intake boots)
3. The vacuum line to the petcock has to be plugged to sync the carburetors - even though the Hanes manual doesn't mention it. (also, read the forums and BassCliff's site - best place to find instructions.)
4. Always assume the previous owner did absolutely no maintenance and that if you haven't checked it, it's probably got something wrong with it.
5. Get an impact driver (either manual or powered) you can give yourself more headaches than a drunken sailor trying to use easy-outs or drilling out your bolts. I could have paid for my impact driver with the money I spent on broken easy-outs.
6. Never give up - there will be times when you want to take a cutting torch to your bike and build a piece of art out of it. But nothing is beyond saving if you work at it.
 
You forgot an important one.

7. Take your time (and money, if need be) and do it right the first time. No need to half-ass it. You will regret it.



(Not that I have every half-assed anything before ... :o :-#)
 
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