Hi guys. Just bought a 1999 GS500E. The bike starts, but has a tough time idling. With full choke it idles at about 1500rpm for 2-3 minutes before dying. I'm guessing the carbs are in serious need of cleaning. I found a bunch of guides/youtube videos for cleaning the carbs, but I'm not sure what supplies I need to order before starting this and which components need to be replaced. Every rebuild/cleaning kit I find seems to have a different number of o-rings/jets/gaskets/etc. Is there a definitive list of what I should buy to do the job? Since the bike is from 1999, is there anything else that might need replacement while I'm in there?
I'm fairly mechanically inclined, but this will be my first time working with carburetors (motorcycles too). Thanks for any help.
check this out.
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=72334.0
Thanks for the link. That thread had lots of good information.
So it seems like the consensus is to buy two(?) sets of o-ring kits from here: http://www.thisoldtractor.com/for_sale_dr350_orings.html
And then get a replacement set of 40/125 jets from The Buddha.
I think my friend has a carb sync tool I can borrow.
Anything I'm missing? Will I definitely not need the float bowl gaskets? They don't seem to be leaking currently, but I don't think the carbs have been touched since they were assembled 20 years ago.
While I have the carbs off, is there anything else I should do to the bike?
Thanks again for all the help.
If they have been sitting a long time my suggestion is to take them completely apart, ultrasonically clean the parts then put them back together with new gaskets. Mine had been sitting for years and were all gunked up from ethanol gas. The slides wouldn't even rotate.
Here are the bodies (http://i63.tinypic.com/zt9npt.jpg)after disassembly and cleaning. The pic doesn't do them justice. Ultrasonic cleaning is great - it cleans out all the tiny passages. A side benefit is the ultrasonic cleaner makes the wife's rings sparkle. A good investment all around. :D
I installed new throttle shaft seals, because the old one were leaking, new fuel rail seals, new float needles a new pilot jet o-ring, new float needles and new bowl seals. She runs great and does not leak a drop of fuel.
New float bowl seals are recommended especially if the old ones are original. They will likely not seal properly once removed.
If you decide to take them completely apart you will need new butterfly screws. The original ones are peened, so you have to file the ends down to remove them. A small drop of red Loc-tite keeps the new ones in pace.