most recent 30 from http://go.takeitapart.net 2010-07-31T07:17:51Z http://go.takeitapart.net/feeds/question/2 http://www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/rdf http://go.takeitapart.net/questions/2/best-way-to-clean-a-motorcycle-carburetor Chris 2009-10-04T07:03:42Z 2009-10-12T06:40:56Z

<p>I recently purchased a 1979 Suzuki GS550. It does not seem to travel at a speed greater than 65 [mph]. Is this the upper limit of the bike, or do my carburetors need to be cleaned? What's the best way to clean or care for "vintage" carburetor?</p>

http://go.takeitapart.net/questions/2/best-way-to-clean-a-motorcycle-carburetor/7#7 obso 2009-10-04T14:48:41Z 2009-10-04T14:48:41Z

<p>You do possibly have a carb problem, you should be able to eek 100+mph out of a gs550 (but not much more). Before tearing into the carbs, make sure you have good spark plugs (and that they are getting spark from the coils). And that you have a clean air filter. Motorcycle carbs are picky about the amount of resistance provided by the air filter, stopped up air filter will make the bike run way to rich and no air filter (or pod air filters without rejetting) will make the bike run too lean. If you decide it is the carbs, the link below provides excellent step by step photos along with explaining the process. Since you are having a problem with top speed pay extra attention to the main jet and emulsion tube (they are calling it a needle jet) and also inspect the diaphragms closely for any tears or holes.</p> <p><a href="http://www.thegsresources.com/gs_carbrebuild.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.thegsresources.com/gs_carbrebuild.htm</a> </p>

http://go.takeitapart.net/questions/2/best-way-to-clean-a-motorcycle-carburetor/8#8 Glenn Arnold 2009-10-04T17:21:20Z 2009-10-04T17:21:20Z

<p>My gs425 (twin) did the same thing when I first bought it. The carbs were full of gasoline varnish. One of the carb sliders didn't move at all and the idle circuit in the other carburetor was clogged. You can learn a lot by feeling the exhaust pipes at idle after it's had a chance to warm up, to see if they're warm. I had one that was cold and one hot at idle. But when I drove down the road, the hot one cooled off, and the cool one warmed up. What I did was took the carburetors off as a unit, sprayed gumout through any hole I could find, and cleaned up what I could see/spray through. Then I filled the carbs with gumout and let it sit overnight. Then drained the floatholes, and reinstalled it in the bike. It's been fine ever since.</p> <p>What I wouldn't do is to back out any screws so you can spray gumout through the ports. The screws are all sealed with o-rings and if they're old and hard you'll destroy them by backing out the screws. That's what I did on my 5-50.</p>

http://go.takeitapart.net/questions/2/best-way-to-clean-a-motorcycle-carburetor/24#24 nathan the man mccorkle 2009-10-12T06:40:56Z 2009-10-12T06:40:56Z

<p>What O-rings would you need that aren't listed here for sale: ???</p> <p><a href="http://www.bikebandit.com/suzuki-motorcycle-gs550ln-1979/o/m6083" rel="nofollow">Bike Bandit.com - 1979 GS550 Carb Parts</a></p>