Hey guys. I have been trolling these forums for about a week now, and it has some GREAT information on it. You all have really helped me out of some binds during my carb. rebuild. I have never done this before or even owned a car with a Carburetor before. So I am in uncharted water with what I am doing (which makes it fun.).
So looking at a few older posts and some nice write-ups from you all on here has really helped, but I have run into some problems that seem to be unique to, well, just me.
So I picked up a 97 GS500 about a week ago. It was running bad, and had ZERO low end. So I took off the gas tank/seat, and noticed that the cable to my manual choke was frozen open! So the sliders in my carb were stuck down. Well, that explains the breathing problem. So I had to cut the cable (ordered a used one from an 04 off Ebay).
After I cut the cable. I tired to start the bike again. I pushed the choke bracket in (closed the sliders) and the bike started just fine. After I got it warm. I let go of the bracket and the bike died on me. So I started it back up, and tried to warm it up again. I did this about 4 times and still it would not idle. I decided to take of the carbs off and clean them.
Once I got everything off the bike. I started spraying the carbs down with carb cleaner. The color of junk that came out looked like pretty brown, so I decided just to take apart the whole assembly get new seats,floats, gaskets and clean it real well.
The whole process was quite simple (seemingly) until I took out one of my slider guides that hold the "Emulsion" tubes. Check this out....
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y163/90civichb/IMG_3055.jpg)
I know this isn't a good thing, because it was broken before I got it. You could see where someone had put some type of glue or something in the hole to hold the broken piece down. At first I thought, ok...no big deal. I will just find a new one (or used one)....That is next to impossible. They don't even make this piece, you have to order a whole new carb. This is unsettling to say the least. My project is now looking like it might be more than I prepared for. So I just decided to glue it back with some super glue. I build model cars for fun, and had plenty of things to help with this process. It turned out nicely and it's well sealed. So I hope it holds out for me. (so problem solved, i hope).
My next possible "problem" with the bike. I was thinking about re-jetting the bike because it came with the K&N Lunch box filter on it. Well. I took off the float bowls and noticed the main Jet said 140 on it. I have never done this before, so I am guessing this is a 140 jet, meaning it has already been re-jetted, right?
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y163/90civichb/IMG_3057.jpg)
While I had everything off I decided to take off the spark plugs, and this is where things were strange. I took off the right plug (sitting on the bike facing forward) and it had a nice whiteish tip on it. The left side was covered in fuel and fouled out like crazy! I mean this thing was BLACK! So now I know it was some sort of carb problem.
I sprayed everything really well with carb cleaner, took out the main jets, but left the others inside. (so i am not sure what the other jet is set at, guessing a 40 or 50). Sprayed it down with WD40 and got some of the corrosion off of it, then rinsed it with DAWN/Water mix and flushed it out with tap water. I'll lube everything once my rebuild kit gets here and put it all back together.
So I guess my question is, what else should I do while I am here at this point. The bike has signs of being tampered with, and mismatch screws in places...so I know someone has messed with it. It has 16000 miles on it. So it has plenty of life left on her. She just needs some love.
Thanks
-Cody
Yeah, that slider guide is not supposed to come out. No harm in gluing it back together, it can't get worse really. I would suggest you replace o-rings while you're in there.
I am. I would think the rebuild kit comes with it, right? Sorry for the newb questions, but I just assumed that a carb rebuild kit, came with everything to rebuild one. lol
Hi,check float heights whilst your in there and pay special attention to the smaller air jets (use a screwdriver that fits well as the heads round easy) and remove mixture screws with springs and very small o`ring and clean airway.Then junk the screws that hold the bowls on and fit allen bolts.
Thanks man. That is something I would have never thought about.