Pods or Airbox? - 83 GS750ED

[Mastiff]

I removed my carbs today. Folks, this was one major league pain in the butt. I finally got the @#$%#'s out about 10 minutes ago. I started around 2 this afternoon (I did take a lot of time off). There is so very little room to work with it isn't funny. I figure putting the carb bank back is going to be even worse. This is my first attempt to clean out my carbs. I have the carb cleaning series all printed out and o-rings from Robert Barr (Thanks, Bob). I had heard removing the carbs was a big pain, so I wasn't shocked. I wasn't quite up to speed on how bad it was, however.
I'm thinking about just chucking the airbox and going to pods.
I have a Stage 1 and a Stage 3 jet kit that I picked up when they were on sale about a year ago. I figured on being prepared down the road. I'm not sure if I'm that far down the highway yet, but I know I'm real close.
I'd appreciate any comments. Thanks.

 

[rodcwer]

Denis I for one am much happier with the pods.You will hear both sides but after you get your carbs in tune with the jet kits and pods you will be so much happier with the performance .and the ease in which you can pull the carbs if needed.I can pull mine in less than 5 minutes.

 

[Joe Nardy]

I agree that PODS are the way to go. It may take a while to get the jetting sorted out but once you do you'll have a bike that runs significantly better and stronger. The ease of maintenance is a huge bonus.

Joe

 

[DMPLATT]

I also have the '83 750ED. I cursed the life of the engineer who designed this mess. Getting mine in took about 3 days and a lot of cursing. I'll NEVER do it again. If I ever have to remove my carbs again, the air box is history.

Good luck and I'm curious as to what jetting you end up going to if you go to pods.

One concern I have is that the air box side also supports the carbs. With out that extra support, is there something you can do to help support the back side of the rack? Seems to me that all the bouncing and such while riding would want to make the carbs want to keep coming out of the intake boots?

 

[rodcwer]

dave as you know I have them and haven't had a problem and I haven't heard of others yet with that problem.although I can see what you mean :wink:

 

[duaneage]

Pods are a great idea, as long as you or someone near you, can jet a bike properly and take the time to do it right. If your planning to work on your carbs all the time pods are the way to go. My carbs seldom need any attention so I can't see why I would need easier access to them.

Airboxes are a dumb idea anyway. Those stupid engineers should have just put four simple airfilters on the bike, after all it runs better, is easier to work on and looks cool, right?

I wonder why they would do something as crazy as that? It must be easier to design the airboxes, manufacture and install them than screw four little filters on.

I need to work on my dark humor a bit.

 

[bradleymaynar]

I'm not sure as to your set up, but when I was finally able to put my carbs back in I didn't have too many probs. This was my first time doing any carb work and my 1100 has the airbox then the filter box right behind. When I went to put the carbs back on (mind you this was after they'd been off over a month) I put the carbs on without the airbox in place. In doing so I put the throttle cable and choke cable on before i realized that the air box had to go on first. So, when I pulled the carbs off the engine I left the cables in place and moved them enough to replace the airbox. After about 10 minutes I was able to work the carbs back into position without too much effort. Keep in mind that I had the airbox inside (no heat in garage) to make sure the boots were pliable when I reinstalled the carbs.

Brad tt

BTW if I had pods, I'd try and put them in before the weather makes it a pain in the neck. Although I'm still sceptical of them since I ride in just about all weather environments.

 

[KEITH KRAUSE]

If you go with pods, you'll use the stage 3 kit.
Keep in mind that kit is also designed with a quality free flow exhaust in mind. The kits (DJ, K&N, Factory) also are designed for K&N filters.
We'll help with the jetting if you need it.

 

[scotty]

Please dont overlook Keiths comment about the exhaust

 

[Anonymous]

I've heard that rain and a bike with pods don't mix......

 

[Griffin]

I've wanted to put pods on my GS700 for a long time, and have the stage three kit and the filters, but can't find an exhaust for it.

I know about the GSxr exhaust modification that will work, but I'm still hoping for a shot at a nice aftermarket exhasut popping up on ebay eventually.

The first time I took the carbs off that bike, it took me an hour to get them out, and five years to put them back in (no kidding, I had given up, hence the pods purchase). Eventually, I figured out how to get them back in.


Spray the inside of the boots with silicone lubricant spray, and allow to dry. Straddle the bike, slide the carbs in from the right hand side, and angle the back of the carbs down. Get all four bodies started into the boots on the bottom, then, with one fell swoop, shove as hard as you can while angling them up at the correct angle. They should slide right in if you can do it with one shove. It helps if someone is straddling the front wheel, pushing backwards on the handlebars to steady the bike.

It's mighty tight in there. I felt your pain, but now it takes me about two minutes to get them out, and five to get them in.

 

[Anonymous]

"I've heard that rain and a bike with pods don't mix......"

That's just an excuse used by fairweather wimps!

 

[first timer]

I've heard that rain and a bike with pods don't mix......

i think this all depends on diffrent bike models,

my 550 has "pods" from k & n but they are not conventional cone pods they are disk like and 2 carbs share one filter, k & n had to do it like that cause there was so little room in the frame.... anyway those pods hate the rain and choke the bike to death, rain runs off the gas tank on to my lap then dumps directly on the carbs. one of my friends has a 1100 with pods and never has had a problem with the rain. i think it's just a matter of how well protected they are from being dumped on from rain.

-ryan

 

[Jethro]

I was in some serious rain, like 4 inch puddles and stuff and my pods didn't cause a problem at all.

Can't say I can seriously suggest the pods yet, I'm not convinced my bike is jetted right yet.

 

[Mr. Jiggles]

Has anyone tried the pods from APE? At $60 (assuming for a set of 4) they seem to be cheaper than typical K&N's.

 

[Anonymous]

One concern I have is that the air box side also supports the carbs. With out that extra support, is there something you can do to help support the back side of the rack? Seems to me that all the bouncing and such while riding would want to make the carbs want to keep coming out of the intake boots?

You can run a zip tie or two from the cross pieces (the little pieces of angle stock holding the rack together) up to the frame rails to add some support for the weight. On my GSXR750 there was a convenient cross member between the frame rails directly above the carbs and I added a single tie in the center of the rack up to the cross member. It does make a noticeable difference to how much the carbs can move over bumps.


Mark

 

[Jethro]

My carbs are pretty solid when they are in there with the choke cable and throttle cable, also the carbs have a little wire that supports the clutch cable which is quite rigid. I'm never concerned that the carbs are gonna come loose, they are in there good and solid.

 

[Mastiff]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I'm going to go the Stage one route, and try Griffins method for getting them back in. If that doesn't work, I'll just open them back up, put in the Stage three bits, and go to pods.
Griffin, I haven't heard about the Gixxer exhaust mod. I just ran a search and came up with the early Gixxer pipes will fit but I'd have to lose the centerstand. Is this what you mean? Thanks.

 

[QuaiChangKane]

Here's one for you - you can't remove the ^$&# airbox without dropping the engine.

Nice, eh? I tried - pulled my carbs to clean them, and wanted to pull the airbox to wash it out. Couldn't get it out, as it's longer than the space between the frame and the engine. You'd have to cut the box in half to get it out, so it's either 100% for pods, or 100% airbox. Cut the box or drop the engine - they both have their downsides.


Unless, of course, you find a way to remove the airbox without doing either. In which case, tell me and I'll FedEx you a cold beer.


The carbs did go back in eventually - but it wasn't pleasant....



Good luck,

-Q!

 

[QuaiChangKane]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I'm going to go the Stage one route, and try Griffins method for getting them back in. If that doesn't work, I'll just open them back up, put in the Stage three bits, and go to pods.
Griffin, I haven't heard about the Gixxer exhaust mod. I just ran a search and came up with the early Gixxer pipes will fit but I'd have to lose the centerstand. Is this what you mean? Thanks.

There's a guy that put factory '91 GSXR1100 4-2 pipes on his 750ES. It looks great in the photos.

http://home.hetnet.nl/mailroot/181/leggev/gsx/exhaust/index.htm


BUT - I followed his lead and bought some pipes from a guy on eBay. Fortunatley, I got them cheap and he lived within driving distance.

Sure, the system "fits". The header sticks too far below the oil pan, reducing ground clearance by at least 1-1/2". The mufflers stick too far out to the sides (reducing maximum lean angle), the pipes weigh as much as a '72 Caddy, and they make the bike sound like a Singer sewing machine. I mean, I could hear the leaves changing color next to this thing.

Overall, a usable last-ditch solution. But there are still pipes to be found out there. The upside is that I have plans to use the header to have a custom twin high-mount system made..... Sometime.



-Q!