GS500 Carb replacement

[Rufftoy]

Howdy all, I recently acquired a 1989 GS500. This bike is mostly stock, I have replaced the oil, filters, brake fluid and I went to put a carby kit through the carbs when I noticed how agricultural they are. They remind me of a Brigs and Stratton lawnmower. The plastic slides had a fair bit of wear in them and there was a lot of gunk in them.

Does anyone know of / or have they replaced their carbs with a different model type?

Is it worth looking at replacing the carbs or should I just get replacement guides and slides?

Any advice would be welcomed, thanks for adding me here
Cheers
Eddie

[Meukowi]

interested aswell 😄 starting to hate these carbs and their plastic parts. All i know that the 2000+ gs carbs does fit and they're bit better with 3jet system and non-drifting float . But never heard of that someone changed from another bike, guess it should work if the intake manifold diameter is the same or close. maybe take a project of it, but still there is parts around for gs carbs, and it works just fine with the stock

[The Buddha]

I have routinely used parts as well as entire carbs off a 600 or a 750 katana. That's because they're the same carb.
Wont solve your problem. Usually worn sliders are due to someone riding without filters in a very dusty environment for a long time.
I have run the 01-02 carbs on a 89-00 bike and I am not actually that sure they are better. They clog more easily and create more problems in many cases.
In any case the slides and whatever can be found out of a Katana rack and in the old days I used to have a few racks of those to part out to this forum. Anyway make sure your white slide guides are not super worn as well, those usually wear more than the slide, though I have seen both of em wear in case of running in dusty conditions. Find a set on ebay like people have done here.

Cool.
Buddha.

[MaxD]

I recently ordered an All Balls carb rebuild kit for my 2001 (waiting on it to arrive), and the price was $74.  I noted rebuild kits on the 1989 to 2000 models were only about $15 on e-Bay.  And, as Buddha notes, the 2001-2002 carbs seem to be more problematic (mine sure have been--clog up easily if not regularly ridden).  If an 89-2000 carb fits and works on a 2001, I'm considering keeping my eye out for a set of those earlier full carbs to buy and try.  Even if you have to refurbish them, the parts are cheap. 

[The Buddha]

The katana racks were a god send, sadly I'm out of all of em, and ironically those are an upgrade for the air oil cooled GSXR1100 I have - I cant believe I parted em all. I guess now I'm looking for 36mm off a 88-89 GSXR 750.
Cool.
Buddha.

[Trwhouse]

Rufftoy, are you still looking for replacement carbs for your bike?
I have a set of early GS500 carbs I'd like to sell.
If you want photos, let me know.
Thanks!
Trwhouse

[The Buddha]

Trw - how you doing ? what did I get off you 100 yrs ago ? Tribar headlight (which I still have) or the blue 91 body which I also still have and will never ever sell ...

Good to see you're poking round with GS BS - you still have the GS ?
I'm thinking of getting 2-3 450/500 combo sets if the trade/$$$ deal goes right. Again into the deep end.

Cool.
Buddha.

[Rufftoy]

Thanks, TRWhouse but I have purchased a new set of slides and guides for my existing carbs mate.

[Trwhouse]

Hi back Buddha and Rufftoy,

Yes, I have been poking around the site more lately, but it still doesn't have as much activity as it used to have. Very sad.
This was always one of my most fav sites online.   
I don't think I sold you any of those items, my friend. 
I think it was someone else. 
And YES, I still have my beloved and trusted 1991 GS500E, though I don't ride it very much. Life is too busy. I need to rebuild the carbs because I let it sit with bad gas. One of these weekends. That will make me feel better to do that. 


And Rufftoy, no problem. If you ever want a spare set of carbs, let me know. I have two sets. The idea was that I'd have a second set to be clean, jetted and ready to go the next time my carbs were clogged from varnish. I haven't been using the bike much so I don't need two sets of spare carbs. 

Best wishes,

Trwhouse 

[The Buddha]

I remembered it was a Kevin something from Canada I got the blue ones that match your bike from.
The tribar I don't remember.

Carbs - try Yamaha carb cleaner and boiling water in the fuel line - fill the bowls - make sure it doesn't overflow into the motor byt taking out the plugs and cranking it a few times after.
Let it sit a day. Flush it with fresh gas a time or 2. Then fill tank with fresh gas and try it.

Cool.
Buddha.