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.
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! :thumb:
Quote from: lawman on November 21, 2008, 07:59:39 PM
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:
(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc179/gs_beRto/carbo-ringsmall.gif)
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!
Quote
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!
Quote
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
Quote from: beRto on November 22, 2008, 12:14:48 AM
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! :thumb:
Quote from: lawman on November 21, 2008, 07:59:39 PM
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:
(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc179/gs_beRto/carbo-ringsmall.gif)
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!
Quote
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!
Quote
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 !
:)
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
vice grips made this job really easy for me
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?
Quote from: beRto on November 22, 2008, 12:14:48 AM
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! :thumb:
Quote from: lawman on November 21, 2008, 07:59:39 PM
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:
(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc179/gs_beRto/carbo-ringsmall.gif)
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!
Quote
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!
Quote
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