Almost new gs500 acting a bit weird...vibrations in the bars

[gs500fromnb]

Well, this may be simple.. I've ran a search and cant find a thread with anything really similar...

My bike has about 14600 miles (23500KM) on it an is only a year old (2003gs5400e). I've had the head gasket changed at 6800 miles (11000km) and when they changed it they messed up and didnt time the bike right. So at around 7000miles (11300km) I had it timed by another more renound mechanic. Worked like a charm. Had spark plugs and air filter both changed at around 7500miles (12000km). After that the only maintenance I've put on it was numerous oil changes and tire changes. I now have new handlebars. Never had a problem with vibrations or anything until yesterday.

I've been having a bit of vibrations in the engine, so I made sure I had the oil topped off, it was fine. The vibration is allmost like if it sounds like the bike is giving a bit of resistance at hiway speed. I feel it in the bars at around 70mph. I really dont know where to start to find out what it is. It just feels more buzzy... I will go change the plugs and possibly the air filter soon (maybe today) and see where that takes me. Anybody know what could do this. I was also told it "might" be the wheel barings... hope not, that would be a few hundred dollars. I know I hear the valves clicking more than Ive known for a bit now... I've seen them worse and I know that the GS is known for clicking valves so im not so worried about that though.

Any suggestions?

[70 Cam Guy]

It may be time for a carb synch.  Vibrations can sometimes be caused by out of synch carbs.  synchronize carbs, in other words, make the vacuum in each carb the same

[gs500fromnb]

yeah... must be that, cause when I went to my parents house, my father was standing in the driveway and I came to a stop right near him and he said it smelled like gas alot.

Would that also fix if its running a little rich (couple of backfires here and there)?

[The Buddha]

Smelling like gas is a leak or overflow, not just rich mix. Synch wont help a leak, synch will let the air flow in both carbs at idle be almost equal.
Cool.
Srinath.

[gs500fromnb]

ok, I changed the plugs.. dont smell much gas anymore (it might of just been a temporary thing).. but the vibes are still there, burns alot stronger. I still get sputtering (very little, more like a few backfires depending on the tempature of the engine at idle if I play with the throttle a bit).

So what next? should I just get the carbs synched? while im at it would it cost that much more to get my valves aligned/timed? Both of these should get the bike running alot better right?

[70 Cam Guy]

Typically when you have your valves checked they do a synch afterward.  If you haven't had your valve clearances checked, it may be a good idea.  From what I gather though, they rarely need adjustment.  If you're not doing this yourself, I don't know what this type of service usually costs.  I am lucky enough to live near scratch so he graciously helped me synch my carbs  

There's a how-to floating around on a DIY carb synch tool considering the actualy tool is a bit pricey.  I thought I had the link book marked but maybe someone else has it or a search may turn something up  :dunno:

[Kerry]

There's a how-to floating around on a DIY carb synch tool considering the actualy tool is a bit pricey.  I thought I had the link book marked but maybe someone else has it or a search may turn something up  :dunno:

To start at the root of a "link tree" related to home-grown carb synch tools, see my post in the Syncing Carbs thread.