Hello,
First time posting here. I recently purchased my first bike, an 89 GS500E and was trying to get into the carbs to clean them up. The screws keeping the bowls attached were factory set and so I tried to use impact to loosen them. Long story short, I ended up breaking the bowl and lower housing on my carb. This I know is not good. .... and Bikebandit lists them for over $400. I am in Juneau Alaska, so my options are limited here. Does anyone know of a way to get second hand carbs for the 89 GS or does anyone have a parts bike with the carbs that they would be willing to sell. I am sure its a long shot, but I don't know what else to do. Its my first bike and this is so disappointing.
Let me know if anyone can help.
Thanks
Any of the first generation carbs would work for you. I would look at eBay before spending $400.....
I "might" have a spare set of carbs lurking around in the garage buried in a box. I'll look this weekend, but if I don't get back to you shoot me a pm - there's a good chance I'll get caught up with a home renovation and forget.
The bowl itself is a non issue. Old Kat 600 bowls are a substitute. I have that sitting around.
But depending on how much of the carb you damaged - you may be better off with Big rich's finding of the carbs.
Whole carbs off 89-00 and you can use the later ones too just that they are a bit more finessey type work - people sell em on here a plenty. You dont need brand new carbs on a 25 yr old bike. 89-09 really. 89-00 is direct fit. No changes needed (except to jetting) and 01-09 is a workable substitute.
Yea, no more impact tools for you though.
Cool.
Buddha.
Thanks for the info. Unfortunately the screw housing broke off from the bowl and cracked the screw housing on the main cast metal part of the carb too. I initially tried using "knocker loose" and soaked each screw for like 5 days, but that did nothing. I read that the factory puts some sort of loctite on these screws. Is there some solvent or some method to loosen them (not that it will do me much good now i guess)?
Let me know if you happen to find those carbs Big Rich.
Thank you both for your help. I really appreciate it. Like I said, this is my first bike and everything had gone well ... up to the point when the carb broke.
The factory I think loctites and gorilla tightens these.
Yea its done for, sometimes I have put a soldering iron to it to warm the bolt up so loctite may be softened.
Cool.
Buddha.
I was able to unscrew mine by cutting a "flat head" slot in the top with a dremmel wheel, and then used a hand powered impact driver (a screw driver you hit with a hammer) to break them free. You can pick up a driver from any auto parts store for $10-$15.
I would look for a newer (04+) set of carbs. They have one more jet to tune, but once you get them tuned right the power delivery is smoother then the early carbs. Also, your less likely to have to rebuild them due to age right off the bat.
The 3 circuit carbs started with the 01 model year, 89-00 were the 2 circuit ones. I agree the newer 3 circuit ones felt much smoother and stronger thru the mid range, I replaced a 97 with 80k miles on the clock with an 02 with only 4k on it and thought the old 97 was still a bit stronger on the top end. The 02 was much better all around to ride at a moderate pace.
The 04+ carbs won't fit earlier models unless you replace the carb boots to the later models too.
when I put the 1999 head on my 2005. I left the carb boots on there, and my 05 carbs would not fit inside the 99 heads boots, so I had to install the boots from the 05 head onto the 99 head. the bolts are in the same place. but for the life of me the 05s would not slide into the 99s boots.
something to think about if you get later models. :cheers:
The 3 circuit carbs have a 1 mm larger diameter body and a slightly larger boot but some here have reported fitting the larger carb into the tighter boot, it might depend on how old the rubber is? I have no experience with trying it myself.
Thanks for the suggestion Slack. I tried your dremmel tool trick on the other carburetor screws and it worked like a charm. I didn't even have to use impact, I have a Big ol' flathead screwdriver that gave me enough purchase to crack them loose.
Big Rich had a pair of original carb bodies without the guts. Since I have the guts and only broke the body, it worked out perfectly. Hopefully everything comes out and goes into their new home nicely.
Next time I run into a problem I am going to ask here first before I try and muscle my way through.
Thanks everyone.