Pictures and Video

Plug #1
Plug #2
Plug #3
Plug #4

Pictures of all the plugs before cleaning them in carb cleaner (soaking and using a toothbrush)
-above-



















Fuel flow of my gas tank through the petcock on PRI (prime)

Clean Carbs?

So yesterday I did the most "grease-monkey" work I have ever done! Haha I feel accomplished somehow..

I cleaned the carbs on my 550 by following the great instructions I got at GSresources.com:

1. Drain the Carbs (I had a drain screw on the bottom)
2. Put papertowel underneath to catch the gas, to see whats in your carbs
3. Put the drain screws back in
4. I put the Petcock on ON - this CLOSES the fuel flow (putting it on RES would do the same thing)
5. I removed the gas line and vacuum line from my petcock (gas line was the bigger one, vacuum the smaller one going up out of the petcock aka fuel valve) - no fuel flowed :)
   
6. I removed the gas tank, and drained it into a big juice container (only one bolt which is under the seat - I made sure this was the only by checking the parts micro-fiche on bikebandit.com)
   
7. The gas had a good flow, and was quite clean except for really fine sediment (Maybe I'll install an in-line fuel filter??)
8. I sprayed carb cleaner into the fuel line (the larger hose that came off the petcock)
9. Left it in there for about 10 mins', trying to 'swish' it around in the carbs

From the pictures of the paper towel that I used to drain the carbs on, I think mine are pretty clean :) I didn't try the seafoam option but it will be my next step if I have more problems.. I just didn't have any on hand..
















Through this process I noticed the little hoses coming off the carb float bowls leaked a little, or at it least it seemed.. also there was a bit of gas sluged around, and a bit around the petcock...

(This process is thanks to Calvin Blackmore and prosolar from gsresources.com at my thread http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=145163)

Here I am before the trip where my bike stalled a few times.. with my new heltmet and jacket

Below is a picture of the stuff that makes my bike move...

Plugs

I took out the plugs last night and cleaned them up with some mastercraft carb cleaner. All but plug #3 was really black and sooty - I post some pics soon - and after putting them back in the bike started really good and idled really nicely and had no problems going up to 4000 rpm and back down to 1500 rpm idle. I think this means that cleaning the carbs will really help! I am quite excited to get into it but man I wished I had more time!

I tightened up the seat a bit too and tried to get the adjusting screw for the headlight.. ended up cutting it too short so now its useless - Waste of 5$! I got it allens' cycle salvage http://www.cyclesalvage.nb.ca/, where I also got a centerstand (30$) and saddle bags (30$). On that same trip to moncton I got a HJC IS-MAX helment and Olympia Touring Cordura Jacket at G bourque http://www.gbourque.com/.

Bought a 78 GS550C in June

Well I finally took the NB Safety Services Motorcycle course, and successfully got my Bike license endorsement A, which means I can ride any size bike. I went out and bought a 1978 GS550C Suzuki Motorcycle, and it was working perfectly.

Now I am having some power issues and think I will clean my carbs and other things, as I am learning from gsresources.com Which is a great site!!

My next step will be to clean the carbs and check out the electrical system.

Here's a link to my thread on the GS forum: http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=145163