'01 carb cleaning (first time)

[ebashevkin]

I just purchased my first bike (an '01 GS500) and am doing some work to get it into good running condition.  When I bought it the bike behaved fine at idle and above 5k RPM, but didn't like the 2k-5k range.  It had been sitting for a while, so I figured cleaning out the jets should get it back running well.

I took the carbs off the bike and have new float bowl gaskets and needle valve assemblies coming in this weekend.  I am trying to make sure I understand what I'm getting myself into.  I have a Haynes manual, but the pictures mainly cover the '89-'00 carbs. 

Does anyone know of a good picture guide for cleaning carbs on an '01+ bike?  Any suggestions on things to look out for?

Thanks!

[garyg199]

Hey man.

Listen I just did this literally days ago. Actually still putting the carbs back in. Just got my first bike to so I know it's a bit overwhelming. Don't worry tho it's pretty simple! Just remember to organize yourself and prepare before you start and it's cake from there.

Actually I can't paste the link on my phone but if you're on the general discussion portion of this forum (just hit home) then it would be the fifth thread down I think. It's a "sticky" if that's the correct term. Think the title is carburetor various parts with pictures..something like that. It's def what you're looking for.

Good luck and congrats on the bike!
Everyone on this forum is super helpful and if you want check out my thread I posted about doing mine...my problem etc. It's the "bike won't go over 45mph etc."

Lots of replies...plenty of help.

Also I found this which will be more helpful to you because my bike is newer. Think your carbs match the one in the pictures exactly. Or it should if it's stock I believe.

[garyg199]

Yeah fifth one down from top buddy. Just literally look above your thread you'll see it.

[ebashevkin]

I cleaned mycarbs (they were pretty dirty) and put everything back together, but now I can't get my bike to start :/

Other things I changed:
* replaced foam air filter previous owner installed with stock equivalent air filter (from hiflofiltro)
* Adjusted idle screw back to stock (2.75 turns out, previous owner had each at about 3.5 turns out)
* New needle assembly

The bike cranks and I can smell gas in the exhaust, but it doesn't catch at all.  I removed each spark plug and confirmed they spark against the frame.  I measured the float height using the tube method and think it might be slightly high, but I'm not sure.  Picture here: http://imgur.com/sDYsBBU.  I reset the float height with the carbs apart to 13mm per Haynes; they were a little low initially.  The tube method shows gas level above the gasket, not sure if I set the float height wrong or that's just a difference in the 2001+ carbs.

Any suggestions on things to check?

[ebashevkin]

After cranking some more I got it to sputter a few times, so it's definitely getting some gas.  Killed the battery, so now that's charging and hopefully I can try again in a few hours.

[shantzez]

Is the choke actually opening when you move the switch?

[bombsquad83]

Yes.  Make sure you are using the choke, and also make sure you cleaned out the fuel jets integrated into the bottom of the float that feed the choke circuit.  They are often clogged becuase they sit in the bottom of the bowl, and they are also often neglected when cleaning.

[ebashevkin]

So after letting it sit for a while and getting frustrated, I tried again with a charged battery and it started right up    Seems to be working good now. I think I may have flooded it initially.