Carbs

[romeo_1885]

I just got a 97 GS500 from this guy and it's not running right... it won't rev past 6000 RPMs and when you try to ride it, it jsut boggs down and dies.  I was told it was my carbs... i'm wondering if i should replace them or attempt to rebuild them... or will this even solve my problem at all?

[Egaeus]

Clean them out.  The only "rebuilding" there is to these carbs is o-ring replacement unless something is damaged.  It's so easy, a caveman could do it.

[romeo_1885]

Clean them out.  The only "rebuilding" there is to these carbs is o-ring replacement unless something is damaged.  It's so easy, a caveman could do it.

how easy are they to clean out?  this is my first bike, i'm not used to any of this carberation stuff...

[Egaeus]

Clean them out.  The only "rebuilding" there is to these carbs is o-ring replacement unless something is damaged.  It's so easy, a caveman could do it.

how easy are they to clean out?  this is my first bike, i'm not used to any of this carberation stuff...

It's so easy, a caveman could do it.

Start by taking it out, draining it, taking off the bowls, taking out the jets (there are 4 total for 89-00, 6 total for 01+), and making sure they are clear.  I typically look at a bright light like the sun through them, and make sure there isn't any film or debris blocking it.  The hole should be round.  If there is, then an air compressor works wonders.  If you don't have one, a soaking in carb cleaner (the spray kind) and spraying out and possibly the use of a wire from a BRASS wire brush (if absolutely necessary) should do the trick.  Use the float bowls for the soaking if there's any garbage in there to clean them out too.

One of these days, I'm going to update the wiki....

[dchrist]

Egaus is right. its not too bad. just get a manual and follow the pics plus follow this link http://www.angelfire.com/mt2/mikesgs500/rejetting/

just make sure you don't soak any of the rubber or plastic in carb cleaner and don't strip the screws when you take it apart.

it was like having a different bike when I finished with mine.

good luck

[baco99]

good luck with it.  i tried to do mine, sent them out, and i'm still having problems.  not a fan of these carbs.

[Egaeus]

I've torn mine down/cleaned them out countless times.  I finally figured out the problem, but it took a bit of time.  It was a rusty tank.

[romeo_1885]

I didn't have time to work on the bike last night but i did attempt to ride it... that was a trip... i rev'd it to 6000 RPMs and took off pulling in the clutch everytime it bogged down to rev it up again... went about 300 yards turned around and back in the garage it went.  tonight i'll have time to try and clean the carbs, empty the gas and put fresh gas in it.  last night I woked on my quad and got it going great.

[salad]

whats the proper way to clean the carbs with carb cleaner? spray it on and scrub with something? or..

[romeo_1885]

whats the proper way to clean the carbs with carb cleaner? spray it on and scrub with something? or..

that's pretty much what i was going to do, carefully disassemble the carb, and spray the hell out of it... i figure that's how i did it on my VW back in the day and it worked

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

don't let the carb cleaner touch anything plastic or rubber, it eats it.

[salad]

don't let the carb cleaner touch anything plastic or rubber, it eats it.

yeah.. definitely.

i was just wondering if you should spray the carb cleaner on, then use a tooth brush or something to scrub all the gunk off and then spray it again... or just spray it really hard and let it drip dry. maybe both?

[dchrist]

spray works. I dunked mine over night in like a paint can full of carb cleaner. that worked better for me but they were really really really dirty. just so ya know. its been said before but no rubber or plastic in the carb cleaner or its shot. I mention it because there is a really small O ring that hides underneath the jets if you don't unscrew them first you may ruin it.... I did.