F650 Fuel Preperation System FAQs Index

Classic Q & A FAQs (Carbs)

• Q: I know nothing about Carbs. Is there a simple introduction to Carbs and a small explanation of what each part of it does?
  A: Sure. Flash has written Carbs for Dummies, just for you.
• Q: How do I pull the carbs?
  A: Out the top.
• Q: My bike acts like it is running out of gas when the tank gets low. Putting it on reserve doesn't help. Opening the gas cap helps for a little while.
  A: What is up with that? You need a Canisterectomy. See also I don't have a Canister and still have "I can't be Outta Gas Symptoms".
• Q: What about that little Cylinder in the Airbox? What's that?
  A: That's explained here, in the Exhaust FAQ.
• Q: What is the Stock Configuration for the Vacuum hoses?
  A: See the Canisterectomy FAQ.
• Q: My carburetted bike surges and stalls sometimes, particularly in the rain. What is up with that?
  A: They had some bozo working at the factory in Noale who hooked the hoses up to the right side carb bassakwards. First check to see that your hoses are hooked up right..
• Q: My bike peed gasoline all over the floor and is impossible to start. What is up with THAT?
  A: Pukin' petrol.
• Q: I am having Starting Problems and getting poor Gas Mileage.
  A: Well it could be the Spark Plug Caps. See the Electrical FAQ or go directly to the Plug Caps n Coils FAQ
• Q. My bike is hard to start/runs poorly. What about Cold Starts. What should I look for?
  A. It depends very much on the symptoms. The Hard Starting Poor running FAQ might also be able to help you out.
• Q. My bikes Gas Mileage is decreasing or seems to be lower than other F650 riders. What should I look for?
  A. It depends on a lot of different things, many in combination. The Poor Mileage FAQ might also be able to help you out.
• Q. Where is the Idle Screw (NOT THE IDLE MIX SCREW) and What is the Stock Idle RPM?
  A. Right Here.
• Q. Where is the Idle Mix Screw (NOT THE IDLE SCREW) and How on Earth do I get in there to turn it?
  A. Right Here.
• Q. What is the Snorkel and What and Where are the Organ Pipes?
  A. Right Here.
• Q. What are the K & N Part Numbers for Oil and Air Filters?
  A. You can find them here.
• Q. What are the Factory & Dynojet Part Numbers for the Stage 2 Jet Kits, along with some other information on Jets?
  A. You can find them here.
• Q. How do I service my air filter?
  A. Look Air Filter Cleaning FAQ.
• Q. I live in the Boondocks and I always get dirty Gas. How about Aftermarket Petrol filters?
  A. Have a look at the Fuel Filter FAQ.
• Q: How can I make my bike quit backfiring, particularly on trailing throttle?
  A: There are a couple of Approaches in the Backfiring FAQ.
• Q. What is the Throttle Cable Play and How do I adjust it?
  A: See the Cable FAQ.
• Q: Can I change the Throttle Cable without taking the Darn Tank off?
  A: Sure. See the Cable FAQ.
• Q: My Choke is Stuck. How do I fix that?
  A: See the Cable FAQ.
• Q. Do I need a Carburettor Adjustment for High Altitude?
  A: See the Misc. Carbs FAQ.
• Q. Got any info about Floats, Slide Barrel Wear or What the Holes in the Bottom of the Slides are for?
  A: Start from the Misc. Carbs FAQ.
• Q. I've got unexpectedly Fast Idle Problems and it won't go down. What could it be?
  A: See the Misc. Carbs FAQ.
• Q. What is the Effect of Dropping the Needles?
  A: See the Misc. Carbs FAQ.
• Q. What is the Airbox drain tube for?
  A. See the Airbox FAQ.
• Q. How does Oil get into the Airbox?
  A. See the Airbox FAQ.
• Q. What about Aftermarket Air filters?
  A. See the Aftermarket Air Filter FAQ.
• Q: How can I make my bike quit backfiring, particularly on trailing throttle?
  A: There are a couple of approaches in the Backfiring FAQ.
• Q: Are there any Sources for Alternative Carb Parts?
  A: See the Performance Modifications FAQ.

GS/Dakar Q & A FAQs

• Q. Why bother with FI?
  A. See The FI FAQ
• Q. What is Surging & Stalling? What can I expect to feel?
  A. See Surging Stalling Basics first, then the other FAQs. For Opinions from Other Riders see the Surging Poll.
• Q. If I have S&S, what shall I check first? Are there any Aftermarket Devices that Help with Surging & Stalling (or General Performance). What about this "Fuel Nanny" I've read about?
  A. See Custom Fixes for S&S and the "Fuel Nanny" FAQ.
• Q. What is The Official European Line on Surging & Stalling
  A. See S&S The Official European Line
• Q. How do tell which injector I have?
  A. See. How do tell which injector I have?
• Q. What are the Current Software versions
  A. See Software versions.
• Q. How do I remove the injector?
  A. See. How do I remove the injector?
• Q. What is the BMW Procedure for testing for S&S F650GS/Dakar Check List
  A. See BMW Procedure for testing for S&S F650GS/Dakar Check List
• Q. Is there a database of information from GS/Dakar Riders on FI Problems?
  A. Sure. See GS and Dakar information collected
• Q. Are there any Links to other information about Fuel Injection?
  A. Sure. Try FI Links.
• Q. I've been told that Surging & Stalling may be sensitive to Starting Procedure.
  A. That's what BMW say. Here's the procedure. See GS Starting Procedure.
• Q. What about Cold Starts?
  A. That's what BMW say. Here's the procedure. See Cold Starts.
• Q. I've been told that the Fuel Filter & Pressure Regulator must be replaced at the 12,000 mile service for $85! What's with that? How do I Replace it?
  A. That's what BMW say. There may be an alternative source, if you are of warranty already. Some background info is in the Fuel Filter FAQ.
• Q. What should I look for if my Bike is Hard to Start?
  A. See the Hard Starting FAQ GS.
• Q. Is there a procedure to RESET the Motronic and try and avoid some of the S&S?
  A. Sure see. Resetting the Motronic.
• Q. What about the Air Filter on the GS? Where is it and How do I clean it?
  A. Sure see. GS Air Filter FAQ.
• Q. What about Adjusting the Idle Speed on an FI Bike?
  A. See the General FI FAQ.
• Q.What about Regular Octane GAS on an FI Bike? What about Ethanol or MTBE?
  A. See the General FI FAQ.
• Q. I've been told that poor performance may be connected with my Speedo failing? My Speedo Losses Mileage. What's with THAT?
  A. Yup. The ABS/Speedo Sensor off the rear Wheel on the GS feeds back to the Motronic. See the GS Speedo FAQ for more details.
• Q. What about Injector Cleaners? Do they work?
  A. See What about Injector Cleaners?
• Q. What happens if I run out of Fuel with an FI bike?
  A. See What happens if I run out of Fuel with an FI bike?
• Q. Do I need an FI adjustment or Reset for High Altitude?
  A. See Do I need an FI adjustment or Reset for High Altitude?

Detailed Maintenance FAQs

• Carb Cleaning FAQ.
• Air Filter Cleaning FAQ
• GS/Dakar Air Filter FAQ
• Performance Mods FAQ (Carb Modifications)
• GS Fuel Injection FAQ
• GS Fuel Filter FAQ
• Refer also to the GS Performance Mods FAQ