Suzuki 2 Strokes

I just acquired a GT550M. I'm in the process of cleaning the carbs because the throttle shaft boots (the lower ones) were melted and had oozed down into the carbs. I bought some replacements boots from suzukipartsnation.com. I can see the need for the lower boots because they keep crap out of the throttle slides, but what are the upper boots for? It seems to me that it would be much easier to assemble the linkage and make adjustments if the upper boots were not in the way. Does anyone know any reason why I should not go without the upper boots?

Hi and welcome ... the upper boots just keep the dust and water out of the linkage, that's all. If you're not riding her in all weathers or through the desert then you probably won't miss them

My 550 hasn't had the upper ones since a rebuild in 07.

Kevin