Argh!  I've rebuilt carbs many times before but this has me stumped.  My GF has a 95 GS500e.  It is purple which is really quite sad.  Anyway... It was having surge issues so I rebuild the carb.  Had it boiled first and used a keyster (sp?) kit.  Now the darn thing won't start.  I verified floats, air/idle, etc.  I've had it back apart at least a dozen times now.  Is it possible this kit is a piece of crap?  Is it possible I don't know what I'm doing??  Help!

ive never heard of keyster whats in the kit, did you remember to turn on the gas on the bottom of the tank, sounds silly i know. give us some more info, what did you replace, are you getting fuel to the carb, ect ect.

Got the kit from oldbikebarn.com.  Had jets, gaskets, etc... 

I turned the tank screw on and gas is actually getting to the carbs.  I verified by loosening the drain screws for a while and gas kept pouring out.  Spark is strong.  However, I noticed that the plugs seem dry even after a lot of cranking.  I don't think gas is getting through the carbs now.

I should mention that the carbs were boiled, floats adjusted...etc.  This may be key -> I noticed if I back the air screws out like 8 turns it will start but it will sputter and eventually foul the plugs.  Maybe I messed up the float height or maybe the new jets are incorrect?

Boiled ... maybe the yolk has turned all hard then ... is the white OK ...
BTW ... WTF is boiled ... and why have I never heard of it before ...
Cool.
Srinath.

Can you give us a link to the kit you bought?  I've never heard of keyster either.  It's possible you got the wrong kind of jets (bleeder vs non-bleeder type).  Have you checked the float height with the clear tube technique?  Did you remember to check the little o-rings under the diaphragm caps?

-M

"Boiled ... maybe the yolk has turned all hard then ... is the white OK ...
BTW ... WTF is boiled ... and why have I never heard of it before ... "

That's really funny - I've never seen you reply with that one before...  Every shop I have worked with uses this term.  Anycrap... you know what I mean so I'm hoping you have something helpful to suggest since you seem to know what the hell you are doing.  I've rebuilt hundreds of carbs on cars so I'm not entirely without a clue but obviously missing something here.

Quote from: klodholz on June 29, 2006, 11:32:53 AM
"Boiled ... maybe the yolk has turned all hard then ... is the white OK ...
BTW ... WTF is boiled ... and why have I never heard of it before ... "

That's really funny - I've never seen you reply with that one before...  Every shop I have worked with uses this term.  Anycrap... you know what I mean so I'm hoping you have something helpful to suggest since you seem to know what the hell you are doing.  I've rebuilt hundreds of carbs on cars so I'm not entirely without a clue but obviously missing something here.

Did you check the turn signal fluid? Sometimes people overlook it.

This is the kit I ordered.  http://oldbikebarn.com/part.php?id=277&subcategory=Carb%20Rebuild%20Kits&bike=GS500&DisplayPerPage=10

I have a feeling this is a piece of crap

tried that...

Welcome!

Have the brass plugs been removed from over the mix screws?

Those screws should be set to 2.5 to 3 full turns out.

Also, set the floats at their lowest point (for a high fuel level in the floatbowl).

Thanks!  Yeah, I did that.  In fact, one of my follow-ups mentions that I had to back them out almost 8 full turns to get it to even turn over.  then the it backfired a bit and plugs fouled out.  Wonder if the jets are junk or the float level is now messed up.

If the pilot jets (not mix screws) are the stock size 37.5 pilot jets, they will be too lean.  They are stamped with the size on the barrel just below the threads.

Partially drain one of the floatbowls into a clean container so you can see if there is any debris coming from the tank clogging up the jets (I doubt it, but it never hurts to check).

One of the reasons you may not be able to start the bike is either it's too lean, or the idle screw isn't set high enough.  You are pulling the choke all the way on, right?

Edit: Also, you can check float level by using a clear tube attached to the floatbowl drain, raising it up next to the carb body, and opening the drainscrew.  The fuel will rise to the same level inside the carb.

OK send it ... If its simple I wont charge you ... yea the mailing will cost ya ... both ways ...
If its clean and just something is off ... I'll fix it and send back free ... else I'll send you a note of what is wrong and we can go from there ...
I never seen boiled carbs before ... so maybe I should boil too huh ... all this while I have been eating them plain ... I am going to boil me some carbs ...
I dunno what else to tell ya ... not a whole lot in your case to go on ...
Cool.
Srinath.

Cool.  What's the address?  Do you need any parts/kits?

Not that everyone doesn't have it ... but check your PM ...
Cool.
Srinath.

I'll check the pilots.  I did mess with the idle screw and choke is functioning.  I do believe it is running lean but not sure why.  I'll doublecheck the float levels.

Thanks to all of you for your help!