Bought my first bike yesterday

[iandunn]

I bought my first bike yesterday, a '90 GS500 . I uploaded some pictures. She needs a little work, but most of it is simple or cosmetic. I'm not gonna get insurance until the Spring (why pay for only two weeks of riding?), but I am gonna take her out once or twice this week . Winter'll give me a good time to fix her up.

[iandunn]

Got a couple newb questions already

1) I can't get her to start today. I started her yesterday when before I bought her, and my friend rode her about 45 miles back to my place and she did fine. Today it's about 60 degrees, I put the fuel valve to on, put the choke on full, and hit the starter. It sounds like she starts completely, but then dies right away. I've tried rolling on the throttle as I hit the ignition and also right after hitting the ignition, but the same thing always happens. I've also tried holding the clutch in, but I don't think that matters on this bike. The kickstand is up, but I think she'll start even with it down.

2) Where's a good place to buy replacement bulbs (websites you trust, or retail stores in central/southwest Ohio). I need a new taillight, two turn signals, the dash turn signal indicator and dash highbeam indicator. Actually, I'm not sure about all of those. One of the turn signals just stays completly lit and doesn't blink, and the two dash lights don't light up at all. Maybe the turn signal is a wiring problem instead of a bulb, and maybe the two dash lights (that are right next to each other) is some other problem besides a burnt out bulb. The oil and neutral lights work fine.

3) Is there any point in turning the fuel valve to prime when the bike isn't running? They told us to do that in the MSF course, but never told us why.


Thanks

[alerbaugh]

1.  Did you use the choke?  Is the engine flooded or is the gas off.  All dumb ?'s but i thought i'd bring it up.

2.  No clue.

3.  DONT put the fuel valve on prime when your not running the engine.  This will flood you out.  Only use the primer when the bikes sat for awhile and you cantget it started.

I could be wrong but i'm sure others will quickly correct me.  Just try it.

[weaselnoze]

i was able to get all of my bulbs at walmart

[Cal Price]

LEAVE the fuel tap (petcock) in the "ON" at all times, except when you need to use "RES" or "PRI" to prime the system. When the engine is not running the "ON" is effectivly "OFF" 'cos it's activated by the engine vacuum.

If it is flooded, and if it's been left on "PRI" it probably is put the tap in "ON" pull back the choke and let it stand for half hour. It should start OK. The Suzuki recomended starting routine is to use the choke and NO throttle, let her run for 30 secs at around 3k/4k and shut down the choke the engine should then instantly respond to a touch on the throttle.

Lastly, this sounds realy dumb, but are you sure you have fuel, if it is low you may need to be in the "RES" position. Looking in the tank can be quite deceiving, low levels can appear fairly high.

Good luck, welcome.

[bikenut]

Cal,

Would leaving it in the reserve postion be the same as leaving it in the on postition and then switching to on when she starts sputtering?

[Cal Price]

Bikenut,

Don't leave it in "RES". The danger is that you will run out of fuel, once she splutters you have nowhere to go. (you have used your reserve)

You have to watch this if you are forced onto "RES", make sure you go back to "ON" when you fill up. This assumes that the petcock is correctly attatched with hoses in the right place(s) I am pretty sure Kerry has some pix or a diagram.

Some people assume that RES refers to a reserve tank but this aint so, its just that the RES hose comes from lower down in the tank.

[bikenut]

Thanks, Cal

All these years I thought there was a fuel pick-up on each side of the tank, and the reserve was switched on when the on side of the tank was empty.  The one gas tank I looked at had the shape of a U on the bottom where it sat on the frame, and when the level of fuel went down, you ended up with 2 pools of gas, one on  each side.

[70 Cam Guy]

That looks pretty cool.  Did you get it from a member here?  Those look like Srinath's bars and a wider rear wheel.  The polished wheels look cool  

Someone else with a '90, its a good vintage.  I have one too :lol:

It sounds like you switched to prime (that will flood the engine).  Leave the petcock in the On position until you need to switch to reserve.  You shouldn't need Prime unless the carbs are dry.  

I go to Kragen's for my light bulb needs.  The indicator and tail light bulbs are all standard, easily found, cheap, bulbs.  The headlight bulb is an H4 if you want more light.

[The Buddha]

Yea those look like my creation... BTW who did you get it from...very important... cos that willtell me if it was retrofitted or not... not = bad.... handlebar is a potential failure point...
Cool.
Srinath.

[iandunn]

I bought it from Alias. He didn't say the handlebars were aftermarket, but he wasn't the first owner.

[Cal Price]

Bikenut, that configuration you describe was pretty common with the older Brit bikes, I can remember as a kid, my old mum leaning and shaking her BSA Bantam to get fuel from one side of the divide to the other.

[The Buddha]

OK Alias wasn't one of the ones that got handlebars from me... who did he get the bike from... or is it a she... like a squirrel faced spy like kick boxing chick.
Cool.
Srinath.

[iandunn]

It's a he, not sure who he got it from.

[Alias]

I purchased it from "Tricked500" on this forum for $800 in May.

Ian the choke cable needs replaced. When its cold out its hard to start.

1.) Make sure the petcock is in the ON position, arrow pointing up.

2.) Apply very little throttle.

3.) Crank until it begins to start, when it starts to fire, pull open the throttle a little more and let off the button.

You'll have to stay on the gas for a few minutes before it will idle.

Call F&S Suzuki in Vandalia. 937-898-7703 SHould have a new choke cable for you for around $20. If you have an questions feel free to call or e-mail me. If you end up doing that Gasket yourself and want a little help give me a call. I'll be glad to drop in and help.

[The Buddha]

Tricked500 - OK the bars have been fixed...
Cool.
Srinath.