Keihin racing carbs??

[RubenAlonzo]

Hi all, the bike I will be getting is a 1998 GS500E and the current owner has done Keihin racing carbs to it and not sure of the jet size, he also modified the intake to the cone type that fit right up against the back the carbs (not sure of make but they could be K&N, they just look like little cones is the best I can put it) and he took the baffle out of the exhaust but she sounds MEAN.

Does anyone know what kind of carbs are the Keihin racing type? I am clueless here, as to whether anyone has seen/done this carb/intake mod to the bike? According to him the carbs cost $800 when he got them couple years ago.

Cheers.

[dauphinc]

Very interesting mod, but I don't see the justification in buying racing carbs, considering one can just rejet to their needs.

[black and silver twin]

racing carbs usually offer more air flow, more precise fuel tuning, and much improved high rpm responce. I had Mikuni mechanical racing carbs on my cb450 and they were a huge improvement over the stock vacuum keinins. the only down side was poor responce below 3500rpm, still worth it  IF you race, if you dont race then most of the benefits will never be realized. however the stock 3 circuit 04+ f model vacuum carbs are great if tuned properly, much better than most vacuum carbs I have used.

[RubenAlonzo]

Thanks guys, when I pickup the bike next week, I will take better pics up close of the carbs and try to do some fish finding about 'em to see what I can find out. Just seems kinda odd a bit that anyone would spend that kinda cash on a set of carbs when I suspect some jetting and pipes and such coulda been had for about the same price.

But since I've never owned a GS500E I won't be able to discern any difference between my soon to be bike and stocker. He has told me he no probs keeping up with 600's (I suspect withing reason up to a point).

Thanks!

[The Buddha]

800 ... WTF ... available for 350 or so in several stores.
I have a 4 set that is easily rackable for a GS ... except its a down draft. Anyway you can get a pair of 36-38 singles off fleabay and fit em separate with a split cable ... single smoothies came on dirt bikes and ATV's ... all the way to now ...
Someone pay me 100 and send me a set of carbs I can get em done ... ergo they're worth whatever you get em off fleabay +100. I'd guess under 200. I may cannibalise a GS set for some crap ... its easy, anyone could do it if you are willing to kill a GS rack.
Cool.
Buddha.

[dauphinc]

What I was saying earlier is, there's no justification for racing carbs (on the street.) Rejets work fine. 

[dgyver]

They sound like Keihin CR Special carbs (they use a velocity stack and no air filter, there is a red CR on the round body), they cost close to $600 new and I have sold several used sets around $300... but I have bought a set for $100. These are the best carbs for racing but not the best for the street. Being a mechanical actuated slide (as compared to a vacuum on a CV carb), throttle response is very touchy and can be finicky at a constant throttle position, where CV carbs are better since they will adjust to varying conditions of the engine.