[TheMoose]

Ok guys-
I'm new here but I'm hoping someone really smart can help me out... I recently bought a 1985 GS550L, it's in pretty good shape considering it's 20 years old. It starts and runs fine. Once the engine is warm enough to run without the choke, it idles very well ~ 900 rpm. After I've run the bike a while and it gets warmed up it idles at very high rpm's ~ 2000 - 3000 rpm. Any ideas? I'm fairly certain that the throttle is not sticking. I've added some carb cleaner to my last tank of gas, it didn't seem to help. I was hoping for something easy. Guess I may have to break into the carb's and clean them a little better, my guts telling me that this may not be the case though. Any suggestions?

 

[Hunter]

Set the choke.

 

[Clint]

If you have to use choke while the engine is warm, you've got work to do.

Sounds lean. Take the carbs apart and clean them up well. There's oodles of information
on the web, and a Clymer helps. Just make sure to keep track of your original settings.

As a shortcut, try running a tankful of Seafoam through it. That might clean it up enough for the short term.

 

[TheMoose]

If you have to use choke while the engine is warm, you've got work to do.

Sounds lean. Take the carbs apart and clean them up well. There's oodles of information
on the web, and a Clymer helps. Just make sure to keep track of your original settings.

As a shortcut, try running a tankful of Seafoam through it. That might clean it up enough for the short term.

Rowdy-
I think I may have misled you on my problem. I don't have to use the choke when the engine is warm - only when it's cold. Once the engine is warm - ridden for about 15 mins or so and the choke is off, it idles around 2000 - 3000 rpm. I've run one tank of Seafoam through all ready, I'm working on my second tank now. I'm using 5 oz mixed with 3 gallons of gas.

 

[Scotsman37]

You need to turn the bike's idle screw anti-clockwise located next to the carbs to reduce the idle speed after the engine has warmed up.

Before opening up the carbs try buying a spray can of carb cleaner i.e. Motul

You first remove the air filter and liberaly spray inside towards the direction of the carb's air intakes and leave it for 10 minutes or so, then turn the engine on and spray liberally again and leave it running for a few minutes and this will help clean out the carbs.

While the air filter is out give that a clean too with proper air filter cleaner for good measure just in case that is clogged too.

If you do eventually have to open the carbs if the above doesn't solve your problems then also must buy a spray can of compressed air from your nearest electronics spare parts sho. They should stock it as it's used to clean out keyboards, etc.

In regards to cleaning out rusty fuel tanks, first empty the fuel into a suitable container and remove the fuel tank. Now goto your nearest shop and buy about 6 litres or more of Coca Cola and fill your fuel tank with that and swish it about over a few hours and leave it overnight and in the morning wash it out with clean water - Wolla there is no rust to be found inside the fuel tank anymore !

 

[Clint]

No, you didn't mislead me. I was referring to the post above mine.