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Pod Filter and Pipe upgrade from stock setup_1979 GS850

E

emlivings

Forum Apprentice
Good Afternoon,

I have a 79' GS580 that runs well but a buddy says it should have better pickup from a stopped position.

His recommendations are to get the Carbs rebuilt and cleaned, upgrade to a pod filter setup and maybe get different pipes depending. (I am looking at the 4 to 1 Kovichuk system)

I am pretty new to all of this and I have all winter to go down these rabbit holes of modification.

I don't want to modify it too much but it would be nice to make small mods to help have a fun bike to zip around on.

Everything is currently stock and runs like a charm but could use a little love.​

My question is this:

What setups would be a good starting point to venture into to increase power and airflow?



Thoughts?
 
You won't get much, if any power increase from the modifications you propose. Maybe 5%

That's after spending a bunch of money and lots of time retuning the carbs.

After proper tuning with said mods, you gas mileage will drop.

You would be better served to do a complete service, valve adjustment, carb cleaning and balancing, and air filter

Unless your buddy is a carb wizard, you're heading for a big learning curve.

I'll let 850 owners chime in
 
A pipe and pods won't increase power off the bottom of the power band, in fact, it may even decrease it. Parts like those can increase power at the top end of the power band.

If your exhaust and airbox are in good condition, I'd keep it as is. Put money into things like teflon brake lines, high quality shocks, Sonic fork springs, and maybe better tires (depending on what you have now). If you want a faster bike, get something newer. A GS850 is like a cruise missile, not a fighter jet.
 
You said currently stock and runs like a charm, that is a great thing, don't take the chance of messing that up. the biggest advantage from the changes you mention will be appx 15 to 20 lbs. less wgt., and then getting it tuned "right", can be done, but is nearly always an aggravation for even experienced bike folks. If it's running right, don't fool with the carbs, a dose of Seafoam or Chevron Techron fuel treatment may help any gum deposits from forming. A GS850 isn't and will never be a zip around bike, a newer light weight hi HP 600 cc will fit that requirement.
 
emlivings said:
Good Afternoon,

I have a 79' GS580 that runs well but a buddy says it should have better pickup from a stopped position.

His recommendations are to get the Carbs rebuilt and cleaned, upgrade to a pod filter setup and maybe get different pipes depending. (I am looking at the 4 to 1 Kovichuk system)

I am pretty new to all of this and I have all winter to go down these rabbit holes of modification.

I don't want to modify it too much but it would be nice to make small mods to help have a fun bike to zip around on.

Everything is currently stock and runs like a charm but could use a little love.​

My question is this:

What setups would be a good starting point to venture into to increase power and airflow?



Thoughts?
Click to expand...

There's an art, a knack if you will, to getting the best out of the 79 slide carbs. Only open them fast enough to keep the engine accelerating as fast as it will go. Open them any further and it starts to bog down. Even fractionally will rob you of power.
Simply whanging the throttle open will not work optimally.
I never had the slightest problem getting a satisfactory power output on my 79, but I did notice the 80 bike didn't quite deliver power the same way, fitted with the CV carbs.
 
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