1980 Suzuki GS550L - Page 4

Landsvw · 01-31-2020, 06:02 PM

Felt better today and went to work, but done at 12. Came home and worked on the bike. Put gas with sea foam in it. Attached the tank. Finally got it to run on its own! Still won’t idle. But, wired it at 2000 rpms and let it run for 20 minutes. Figured, get some of that sea foam into the carbs, get the engine and carbs up to operating temp and etc. then let it sit and soak and see what happens. Anyway, will report back later if things improve. Has a flat tire and no battery or I’d go drive it too, to help the situation.

Landsvw · 01-31-2020, 08:46 PM

Here she is so far.

Landsvw · 02-01-2020, 04:54 PM

Anyone close by want to trade for a 1 cylinder 1 carb bike? This thing is making me crazy...

Landsvw · 02-02-2020, 10:42 AM

Helpful link

I have an idea or two and if I feel up to it, will try it today.

Landsvw · 02-10-2020, 06:40 AM

Hahah ok soooo I traded for a KX80...

Has a 100cc cylinder kit on it. Not sure what I’m gonna do with it, but at least ride it a few times then assess...

Sport Rider · 02-10-2020, 10:34 AM

I feel for you with the carb problem. the 4-packs on the kawasaki's can be pretty tough to get clean. Seafoam would not have solved your problem because you likely have some of the small passages blocked. with no treated fuel passing through them, the seafoam would not help. OTOH, the single carb on the other bike will be a piece of cake!

Landsvw · 02-15-2020, 11:43 PM

Disassembled the KX80 somewhat. Has an older pro circuit pipe and silencer on it. Silencer is very messed up. At first I thought I’d have to get a new one. But, I cut off about 1/2 an inch, got it round again and will weld it back together and to the expansion pipe. Was hose clamped to the frame and a rubber hose connected the two parts. Super bad setup and, the baffles inside were plugged with packing, which I’m sure wasn’t helping it’s ability to run. Haven’t started it yet.

Also learned that as piston size goes up, it doesn’t necessarily mean larger jets. Could mean the same or smaller. Huh. Didn’t know that. But have been doing research. Will examine jet sizes, repack and seal the exhaust and see how it goes, hopefully in the next few days.

**cheesy** · 02-16-2020, 07:13 AM

A cheap HF ultrasonic cleaner probably would have helped clean the Zuk carbs, but yeah, four carbs is two too many.

Weldangrind · 02-16-2020, 08:10 PM

I've found two strokes to be a fickle mistress when it comes to mods. It'll be interesting to see which jets work best for you. I find them to particularly sensitive to float level.

Landsvw · 02-21-2020, 11:47 PM

Got the air filter installed, carb cleaned and muffler welded and painted. Still have to pack it and reinstall it.

Landsvw · 02-23-2020, 11:54 PM

Ok! Got the KX80 running and ripping! Sure is fast and loud.

Landsvw · 02-26-2020, 09:39 AM

Rode it then sold it! Made a little profit of 800$. Trying to pay for my latest acquisition: 2002 Ford F-350 super crew dually 7.3 diesel.

Wife and I decided that our 2001 F150 wasn’t cutting it towing the 5th wheel so we upgraded somewhat. Super crew F150 is now for sale too.

Landsvw · 02-29-2020, 01:37 AM

The F150 sold today, and so now, on to the reviving of the F350! Mostly interior work like torn seats and super dirty... gotta install 5th wheel rails too.

Landsvw · 03-02-2020, 08:09 AM

Repairs done Saturday and Sunday
Turn signal switch
Window and radio hack (delay wasn’t allowing them to work)
Remove extraneous wiring
Cleaned interior (partially, like 1/4 so far)
Fix and clean dash, and reinstall radio
Oil and filter change
Air filter change
Add antifreeze stabilizing (ph balance)

Weldangrind · 03-03-2020, 11:35 AM

That F350 deserves a thread of its own.

01-31-2020, 06:02 PM	#46
Landsvw Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Myrtle Creek Oregon Posts: 873	Felt better today and went to work, but done at 12. Came home and worked on the bike. Put gas with sea foam in it. Attached the tank. Finally got it to run on its own! Still won’t idle. But, wired it at 2000 rpms and let it run for 20 minutes. Figured, get some of that sea foam into the carbs, get the engine and carbs up to operating temp and etc. then let it sit and soak and see what happens. Anyway, will report back later if things improve. Has a flat tire and no battery or I’d go drive it too, to help the situation. __________________ 1988 Kawasaki KLR250 1969 Honda Z50 silver tag 2002 Ford F-350 7.3 diesel 1975 Corvette 2017 Chevy Bolt “Throttle twisting geek” -LFN
	2

02-01-2020, 04:54 PM	#48
Landsvw Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Myrtle Creek Oregon Posts: 873	Anyone close by want to trade for a 1 cylinder 1 carb bike? This thing is making me crazy... __________________ 1988 Kawasaki KLR250 1969 Honda Z50 silver tag 2002 Ford F-350 7.3 diesel 1975 Corvette 2017 Chevy Bolt “Throttle twisting geek” -LFN
	1

02-02-2020, 10:42 AM	#49
Landsvw Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Myrtle Creek Oregon Posts: 873	Helpful link I have an idea or two and if I feel up to it, will try it today. __________________ 1988 Kawasaki KLR250 1969 Honda Z50 silver tag 2002 Ford F-350 7.3 diesel 1975 Corvette 2017 Chevy Bolt “Throttle twisting geek” -LFN
	1

02-15-2020, 11:43 PM	#52
Landsvw Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Myrtle Creek Oregon Posts: 873	Disassembled the KX80 somewhat. Has an older pro circuit pipe and silencer on it. Silencer is very messed up. At first I thought I’d have to get a new one. But, I cut off about 1/2 an inch, got it round again and will weld it back together and to the expansion pipe. Was hose clamped to the frame and a rubber hose connected the two parts. Super bad setup and, the baffles inside were plugged with packing, which I’m sure wasn’t helping it’s ability to run. Haven’t started it yet. Also learned that as piston size goes up, it doesn’t necessarily mean larger jets. Could mean the same or smaller. Huh. Didn’t know that. But have been doing research. Will examine jet sizes, repack and seal the exhaust and see how it goes, hopefully in the next few days. __________________ 1988 Kawasaki KLR250 1969 Honda Z50 silver tag 2002 Ford F-350 7.3 diesel 1975 Corvette 2017 Chevy Bolt “Throttle twisting geek” -LFN
	1

02-16-2020, 07:13 AM	#53
cheesy Moderator Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Elburn, IL Posts: 5,973	A cheap HF ultrasonic cleaner probably would have helped clean the Zuk carbs, but yeah, four carbs is two too many. __________________ Cheesy ______________________________________ 07 Hi Bird Enduro-Flown the Coop 07 Ural Gear Up 79 Honda CX500 77 VeloSolex 4600 V3 73 VeloSolex 3800 I'm making this up as I go.-Indiana Jones Telling me something 'is for my own good', is a fast way to a fat lip.-Me I don't even care about my own problems, why should I care about yours?-Quote on one of my favorite t-shirts
	1

02-10-2020, 10:34 AM	#51
Sport Rider Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Mooresville NC Posts: 2,116	I feel for you with the carb problem. the 4-packs on the kawasaki's can be pretty tough to get clean. Seafoam would not have solved your problem because you likely have some of the small passages blocked. with no treated fuel passing through them, the seafoam would not help. OTOH, the single carb on the other bike will be a piece of cake!
	1

02-16-2020, 08:10 PM	#54
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	I've found two strokes to be a fickle mistress when it comes to mods. It'll be interesting to see which jets work best for you. I find them to particularly sensitive to float level. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	1

02-21-2020, 11:47 PM	#55
Landsvw Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Myrtle Creek Oregon Posts: 873	Got the air filter installed, carb cleaned and muffler welded and painted. Still have to pack it and reinstall it. __________________ 1988 Kawasaki KLR250 1969 Honda Z50 silver tag 2002 Ford F-350 7.3 diesel 1975 Corvette 2017 Chevy Bolt “Throttle twisting geek” -LFN
	2

02-29-2020, 01:37 AM	#58
Landsvw Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Myrtle Creek Oregon Posts: 873	The F150 sold today, and so now, on to the reviving of the F350! Mostly interior work like torn seats and super dirty... gotta install 5th wheel rails too. __________________ 1988 Kawasaki KLR250 1969 Honda Z50 silver tag 2002 Ford F-350 7.3 diesel 1975 Corvette 2017 Chevy Bolt “Throttle twisting geek” -LFN
	2

03-02-2020, 08:09 AM	#59
Landsvw Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Myrtle Creek Oregon Posts: 873	Repairs done Saturday and Sunday Turn signal switch Window and radio hack (delay wasn’t allowing them to work) Remove extraneous wiring Cleaned interior (partially, like 1/4 so far) Fix and clean dash, and reinstall radio Oil and filter change Air filter change Add antifreeze stabilizing (ph balance) __________________ 1988 Kawasaki KLR250 1969 Honda Z50 silver tag 2002 Ford F-350 7.3 diesel 1975 Corvette 2017 Chevy Bolt “Throttle twisting geek” -LFN
	1

03-03-2020, 11:35 AM	#60
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	That F350 deserves a thread of its own. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	2