Common Carbuerator problems

It seems that one of the most common problems with these bikes is "dirty" carbs.

Is there any consensus on the efficacy of adding the carb cleaner fuel additives and running that on a routine basis to clean/maintain the carbs and fuel line? Any cons to such a thing? How about using Techron? Slick50? etc.

Mike

 

I added redex to carbs that I think were functioning ok previously. They didn't function ok anymore. Without digging back through the threads, someone suggested that if the carbs are already dirty then the redex will turn the hardened on dirt into a sludge which will then find its way everywhere you don't want it.

 

Interesting. I hope you were able to get them cleaned out okay.

I should add to clarify - I refer to starting with relatively clean carbs in the first place: does using this type of thing on a routine/every fill-up basis reduce the occurence of blockages and buildups?

Is there a downside to using such products other than the unfortunate incident above?

Are there ones that work better than others?

 

Seafoam has been "known" to cure some minor ailments of carburetors when added as directed to the gas. Also, it is a great preservative for storing the bike, keeping the fuel from varnishing which I would guess is the source of 95% of dirty carbs. Bikes that are used frequently all year probably don't have nearly the issues of those that are stored for part of the year.

 

To keep the carbs clean - stabilize the fuel when it sits, or keep the fuel moving through the bike. The simple act of riding the bike frequently will act as a mild carb cleaner.

Other add-to-the-tank cleaners are also quite mild - they'll break the junk down a bit, but won't give a 100% clean (which is what you'll need to do if the carbs are REALLY dirty).

Drain the floats to check for crap, and check the functioning of the petcock. If rust or really bad gas comes out then you've got a cleaning issue.

On the GS500 I took apart 3 days ago the small idle passages were pretty blocked on one carb, and not as bad on the other. It wasn't a bad job. Popped the carbs out of the bike - popped the float cover off, removed the float and 3 screws. Used cleaner and fine SOFT copper wire to clean the small passages. If you look in the throttle by the butterflies you will see 3 tiny little passages coming into the carb barrel. Those are the ones that get dirty most easily, and will mess up the idle/starting.

Topped the tank up with fresh gas, reassembled and it started on first thumb. She's running better and better each day too.