Cleaning carbs, what order do I put the washer for needle jet in?

[Neon01]

My bike is completely stock, but I've read that if you just switch the plastic washers on the needle jet (putting the donut one on top, and the thin but wide one on the buttom of the snap ring), it'll help with startup.  The way they came out was the opposite. 

A couple other things: the really small black o-ring came out when I was disassembling the carbs, now I'm not sure where it goes.  It's the one next to the letter "L" on the newspaper in this picture:

Also, can someone recommend an inline fuel filter (and where to get it) that I could use from the petcock to the carb intake?  Thanks!

[The Buddha]

I put it between the clip and the little plastic spacer. The doughnut is what goes on top of the needle as its in the bike right ... then yea ...
So as it sits in the bike, put it under the clip and over the plastic spacer.
OK ... sorry I didn't understand your question. Its a whole new #4 washer ... not any of the existing ones. And your pic didn't load.
Cool.
Srinath.

[Egaeus]

I've read that if you just switch the plastic washers on the needle jet (putting the donut one on top, and the thin but wide one on the buttom of the snap ring), it'll help with startup.

What the heck have you been reading? 

[Neon01]

I know my post was a bit confusing.  The washer bit I'm not too sure about, so I'm inclined just to put everything back in as it came out.  But as for the order, it goes (from bottom to top, as it sits in the bike): tip of the needle on the bottom, then donut, then #4 washer (if one is used), then circlip, then plastic spacer that's shaped like a disc, then the blunt end of the needle.  Right?

The pic that didn't load is from this page http://www.angelfire.com/mt2/mikesgs500/rejetting/

Specifically, its this picture: http://www.angelfire.com/mt2/mikesgs500/rejetting/DSCF0119.JPG about 3/4 of the way down the page.  Its that very tiny O-ring that I'm not sure what to do with.  Does anyone have a large .jpg of an exploded view of the carburator that might show all the O-rings and such? 

Also, what should I do with a nearly full tank of premium gas that's been sitting in the tank (untreated) for about 7 months?  Get rid of it?  I was thinking about putting a little bit of it in my car's gas tank at a time to make sure all the deposits don't get put in at once.  I figure 1 gallon at a time it won't hurt 15 gallons in my car tank.  What do you think? 

[Egaeus]

I know my post was a bit confusing.  The washer bit I'm not too sure about, so I'm inclined just to put everything back in as it came out.  But as for the order, it goes (from bottom to top, as it sits in the bike): tip of the needle on the bottom, then donut, then #4 washer (if one is used), then circlip, then plastic spacer that's shaped like a disc, then the blunt end of the needle.  Right?

The pic that didn't load is from this page http://www.angelfire.com/mt2/mikesgs500/rejetting/

Specifically, its this picture: http://www.angelfire.com/mt2/mikesgs500/rejetting/DSCF0119.JPG about 3/4 of the way down the page.  Its that very tiny O-ring that I'm not sure what to do with.  Does anyone have a large .jpg of an exploded view of the carburator that might show all the O-rings and such? 

Also, what should I do with a nearly full tank of premium gas that's been sitting in the tank (untreated) for about 7 months?  Get rid of it?  I was thinking about putting a little bit of it in my car's gas tank at a time to make sure all the deposits don't get put in at once.  I figure 1 gallon at a time it won't hurt 15 gallons in my car tank.  What do you think? 

That's the correct order for the needle.  The o-ring goes on the top of the carb.  It goes under the black thing with the spring on it right under the cap.  If that's not clear enough, go to www.mrcycles.com and look at the parts fiche for your bike.

Edit: it should be fine in your car.  I've run unmentionably old gas in my truck a little at a time with no ill effects. 

[Neon01]

Thanks.  Regarding the o-ring, is it #26 in the exploded view of the carb for the 89-96 GS500E?  That webpage you referenced had the drawing of it with a parts list, but its hard to tell what's what.

[Egaeus]

Yep.  Part 26.