1) I finally fixed my exhaust, and got rid of that awful, broken baffle. It's been rolling around in there for 5 months, and came out in 5 little pieces lol. Got it all welded up, stainless turn out tip, and ground off everything else so it's smooth all around. But of course in doing so, my GS is pretty much straight piped with a resonator in it. I have one of these mufflers on it, no baffle now obviously



I'm going out on a limb to say that running an exhaust like this should probably require re-jetting the carbs? It does sound really good now though

2) After pulling the exhaust and all yesterday, I checked the plugs too. Left cylinder is really rich, right cylinder is really lean. Right cylinder used to be pretty dead on. Bike has valves now in spec, carbs synced, new diaphragm on the left, new intake boot on the right, and no vacuum leaks when using the carb cleaner spray method. What could cause this? Because I am fresh out of ideas

Quote from: mustangGT90210 on March 04, 2013, 07:47:54 AM2) After pulling the exhaust and all yesterday, I checked the plugs too. Left cylinder is really rich, right cylinder is really lean. Right cylinder used to be pretty dead on. Bike has valves now in spec, carbs synced, new diaphragm on the left, new intake boot on the right, and no vacuum leaks when using the carb cleaner spray method. What could cause this? Because I am fresh out of ideas

Different size jets in the carb? 

In both my motorcycles for routine checks the left side has been slightly richer and anyone I asked about it said the same thing... maybe something to do with the kickstand lean? 
If you're jetting by the plugs it really helps to do a proper plug chop. Also, pics are much better than descriptions for jetting by plugs.

Be sure you've got all your seals in order (vacuum ports, chokes closing all the way, petcock vacuum line, etc)

I've always been told so long as there's at least a little soot on the base ring (not shiny all the way around) and not so much it starts creeping up the "J" electrode you're good. Anywhere inside of that range is a matter of preference.

I hope not, but it wouldn't surprise me based on the PO. I've never even paid attention to the right side jets, just know the left are 37.5 and 122.5.

Left is all black, right plug is all white. lol no pictures needed it's really that simple. I just ordered a K&N filter and sent buddha a message about one of his jet kits... I'm not gonna try messing with this too much until that comes in. Maybe it'll take care of that hanging idle I have too

Straight pipe will sometimes require a rejet.  Not as significant as changing the intake to less restrictive, but it's typically +1 on the main and +1 washer under the needle.  2 washers under the needle equals +1 on mid for the 2001+ carbs.  Leave the pilot alone.

Jetting is a black art.  What works for me won't work for you necessarily in Florida (I think that's where you are).  Proper plug chops will confirm this.

What worries me is that one plug is overly rich, and the other is lean.  I'm assuming that you cleaned your carbs, have no air leaks...right?  I see that your valves are in sync, so that's good.  Are you getting equally strong spark on both sides?  Did you just replace your plugs, or were the readings from when your valves were not in sync?

Had this problem once, and my carb had 1/2 backed out of the intake boot on 1 side.  Popped it back in, tightened everything up, and I was good to go.

Quote from: jestercinti on March 04, 2013, 08:52:00 AM
Straight pipe will sometimes require a rejet.  Not as significant as changing the intake to less restrictive, but it's typically +1 on the main and +1 washer under the needle.  2 washers under the needle equals +1 on mid for the 2001+ carbs.  Leave the pilot alone.

Jetting is a black art.  What works for me won't work for you necessarily in Florida (I think that's where you are).  Proper plug chops will confirm this.

What worries me is that one plug is overly rich, and the other is lean.  I'm assuming that you cleaned your carbs, have no air leaks...right?  I see that your valves are in sync, so that's good.  Are you getting equally strong spark on both sides?  Did you just replace your plugs, or were the readings from when your valves were not in sync?

Had this problem once, and my carb had 1/2 backed out of the intake boot on 1 side.  Popped it back in, tightened everything up, and I was good to go.

This was the first ride since getting the valves in spec, so yes it was leftovers from before. It's not a spark thing because when I swap coils from side to side the problem doesn't follow them. About the only vacuum place left to leak is the right side vacuum port and the left side intake boot, although neither cause an RPM change when sprayed with carb cleaner. I may take the carbs off today and just re-set the mix screws in case they're off somehow