Hi everyone, great to find this site. I have a couple of questions maybe you can help me out with.
A friend just brought me his 77 550 in hopes that I can help. Most of my experience comes from the Suzuki GS line, but I can't imagine that the concepts are very different. I'll tell you what we've got and what I plan to do.
The bike has two problems, the first is that it runs rough and he notices small back-fires that pop into the pods, not the exhaust. Pods are a million years old, but I do think that they were properly jetted because according to the title the bike has been driven thousands of miles since the pods were put on, so it's probably ok. Sounds like carbs to me, I just planned on taking them off and cleaning them real good, slapping them back on and hoping that solves it. That was always my MO with my GS850 which was always getting its bowls stuck. Is there anything specific I should pay particular attention to when i have them off?
Also he says that it idles great when connected to a car battery via jumper cables, but on its own it is rough. Battery and properly gapped plugs are new. This poor bike, I think it was stolen at some time b/c its got a master switch under the seat and a toggle switch that controls the starter, all connected by a wiring system that was probably pulled out of an old toaster. I'm thinking connections are getting bad and or improperly gauged wire. However while I'm in there I'd like to have other diagnostic ideas in my head to watch out for, if you guys have anything to contribute.
So I have some problems but also a game plan, I'll start once the rain stops. Any ideas would be very helpful.
Thank you.
