Cleaning carbs on Ongoing 04 gs500f disaster

[lawman]

I set about cleaning my carburetors, which I have done on a much older, simpler bike (think 1979 vintage).  This carburetor has all these valves and vacuum parts and electronics on it.  Has anyone done a good tutorial on these specific carbs?  What parts do I need to clean primarily.

Good news - the carbs look pretty clean for the most part, though the idle jet was slightly narrowed by gunk, which probably was the problem.  New problem - in the float bowl, the drain screw is stripped and stuck.  I have pb blastered it for hours, and I can't get the screw out.  I may have to cut opposite sides flat and  wrench it out.  Where can I get a new drain screw.  If I can't get it out, can I get a float bowl and drain screw?

Sorry if this has all been asked before.  I can't find it, and I'm new to this bike, and nervous. Thanks.

[beRto]

edit: Kudos for tackling a carb cleaning. No need to be nervous about it - post pictures, ask questions, and it'll all work out fine! 

I set about cleaning my carburetors, which I have done on a much older, simpler bike (think 1979 vintage).  This carburetor has all these valves and vacuum parts and electronics on it.  Has anyone done a good tutorial on these specific carbs?  What parts do I need to clean primarily.

You didn't mention what year bike you have? The carbs are slightly different for the newer model. Anyways, here is a GS tutorial that should help:
http://www.gstwin.com/carb_work.htm

When reassembling, it is common to miss the tiny o-rings in the top:


Make sure you don't make this mistake or you will have problems with idling too high. This will force you to take the carbs off again!

Good news - the carbs look pretty clean for the most part, though the idle jet was slightly narrowed by gunk, which probably was the problem. 

Good stuff!

New problem - in the float bowl, the drain screw is stripped and stuck.  I have pb blastered it for hours, and I can't get the screw out.  I may have to cut opposite sides flat and  wrench it out.  Where can I get a new drain screw.  If I can't get it out, can I get a float bowl and drain screw?

Sorry if this has all been asked before.  I can't find it, and I'm new to this bike, and nervous. Thanks.

Have you tried a pair of vice grips? That may be easier than filing/cutting etc.

You should be able to get a used drain screw from someone on the board - I suggest a request to The Buddha.
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=40688.0

[ohgood]

edit: Kudos for tackling a carb cleaning. No need to be nervous about it - post pictures, ask questions, and it'll all work out fine! 

I set about cleaning my carburetors, which I have done on a much older, simpler bike (think 1979 vintage).  This carburetor has all these valves and vacuum parts and electronics on it.  Has anyone done a good tutorial on these specific carbs?  What parts do I need to clean primarily.

You didn't mention what year bike you have? The carbs are slightly different for the newer model. Anyways, here is a GS tutorial that should help:
http://www.gstwin.com/carb_work.htm

When reassembling, it is common to miss the tiny o-rings in the top:


Make sure you don't make this mistake or you will have problems with idling too high. This will force you to take the carbs off again!

Good news - the carbs look pretty clean for the most part, though the idle jet was slightly narrowed by gunk, which probably was the problem. 

Good stuff!

New problem - in the float bowl, the drain screw is stripped and stuck.  I have pb blastered it for hours, and I can't get the screw out.  I may have to cut opposite sides flat and  wrench it out.  Where can I get a new drain screw.  If I can't get it out, can I get a float bowl and drain screw?

Sorry if this has all been asked before.  I can't find it, and I'm new to this bike, and nervous. Thanks.

Have you tried a pair of vice grips? That may be easier than filing/cutting etc.

You should be able to get a used drain screw from someone on the board - I suggest a request to The Buddha.
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=40688.0

I'm going to suggest you buy some KROIL also. It's a fantastic penetrant. Tap on whatever (LIGHTLY !!!) screw / nut is frozen with a screwdriver or LIGHT hammer, and apply KROIL. Wait, repeat. I haven't had a bolt that wouldn't loosen doing this. OK, my carbs needed vise grips, but I don't remember if I KROIL'd them first

I picked up a couple of adjustable crescent wrenches that sat in the dirt for 10-15 years, rusted shut. Sprayed with KROIL, tapped with my 5 ounce brass hammer, KROIL'd again, free !

[yamahonkawazuki]

also trumpetguy has bowl screws if eneded. even though hes our resident nutjob/err liberal./, hes an all around good guy. man this sucks. cause i have to recommend 2 different peopel who are both good inmy book

[jrains89]

vice grips made this job really easy for me

[lawman]

It's a 2004 GS500F. 

New problem...  I got the drain screw off, but it's mangled.  The guy I got it from had two sets of carbs, so I figured I'd take it off the other set, and clean the other set too.  On that set of carbs, the float bowl screws are seized, and I can't unscrew them - they're stripping out (which means not only do they need to come out, they need to be replaced).  Any thoughts?

[system32]

edit: Kudos for tackling a carb cleaning. No need to be nervous about it - post pictures, ask questions, and it'll all work out fine! 

I set about cleaning my carburetors, which I have done on a much older, simpler bike (think 1979 vintage).  This carburetor has all these valves and vacuum parts and electronics on it.  Has anyone done a good tutorial on these specific carbs?  What parts do I need to clean primarily.

You didn't mention what year bike you have? The carbs are slightly different for the newer model. Anyways, here is a GS tutorial that should help:
http://www.gstwin.com/carb_work.htm

When reassembling, it is common to miss the tiny o-rings in the top:


Make sure you don't make this mistake or you will have problems with idling too high. This will force you to take the carbs off again!

Good news - the carbs look pretty clean for the most part, though the idle jet was slightly narrowed by gunk, which probably was the problem.

Good stuff!

New problem - in the float bowl, the drain screw is stripped and stuck.  I have pb blastered it for hours, and I can't get the screw out.  I may have to cut opposite sides flat and  wrench it out.  Where can I get a new drain screw.  If I can't get it out, can I get a float bowl and drain screw?

Sorry if this has all been asked before.  I can't find it, and I'm new to this bike, and nervous. Thanks.

Have you tried a pair of vice grips? That may be easier than filing/cutting etc.

You should be able to get a used drain screw from someone on the board - I suggest a request to The Buddha.
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=40688.0

hello, i've seen your post and can you tell me if 2004 year carbs should have this o-ring too? i've disassembled them and its missing, by the way my bike has high idle issue