Carb Sync on a K3 GS

[deano]

Has anyone noticed that carb balancing K3 model GS500's is a different procedure to that detailed on this site.  Firstly the vacuum nipples are not located on the top of the carbs.  The one on the left carb is tucked away with a rubber cap and clip. Quite hard to get to.  The nipple on the right carb already has a tube attached to it.  This runs to the fuel control valve on the bike (Reserve, Fuel, Prime) and has a negative pressure in the tube that operates the spring valve in the fuel control valve. If this tube is removed then Reserve and Fuel settings do not work as the vacuum is not present to open the spring valve. I found this out while trying to balance my carbs and kept running out of fuel in the carbs.  The only mode that works is prime with the vacuum tube disconnected.  

My questions are:

Is it OK to balance carbs when the fuel valve is in Prime mode?

Also I made the balancing tool as detailed on this site (with coloured water and aquarium valve).  I found that a lot of water kept being sucked into the engine on one side or the other.  Is this normal?

The adjustment on the balancing screw appeared to be very fine. One half turn either way had a great impact on the vacuum direction. Has anyone else noticed that?

When the tube that runs to the fuel control valve is re-attached will that throw the carbs out of sync. I ask this because it has a vacuum within the tube to opertate the fuel valve whereas the other nipple on the left carb has a cap on it under normal use?

Link to K3 carb diagram:

http://www.ronayers.com/fiche/300_0322/carburetor/carburetor.cfm?man=su&groupid=3060&parent=3040

[davipu]

your soupposed to do it in prime.    no it will be fine when you put the tube back on as long as the tube is good and your not sucking air through there.  if your sucking water into the motor then you need longer tubes so you can get them closer to the same adjustment.

[deano]

OK THanks.............

[CO_GS500]

That link to the K3 carb diagram seems to be on the fritz - do you know of another away to get to it?

I tore the carbs off my '02 last night, confident that the Clymer manual (through 2002!) woould help me get all the guts hoked up right - surprise!

Thanks,

Galen