High rev after bike has been run

[Vball24]

I've got a question concerning the way my 2001 GS500 runs.  Let me just preface by saying that I bought my bike in September, but due to other responsibilities was unable to ride it until recently.  When I did finally start it up it seemed fine then while sitting there the engine would start reving up.  I took it to a mechanic and he said that he thought the old gas was causing the bike to do this.  Now it seems to ride fine, until maybe about 20 mins into the ride.  Then when I come to a stop the engine will rev up and the only thing that seems to bring it back down is to let off the clutch some.  But the minute I put the clutch back in it immeditately starts reving up again.  I can still ride the bike, but when I'm either in 1st or neutral it will contiune to do the high rev thing.  Does anyone have any ideas on what could be causing this? :dunno:

[Dom]

Seems to be a common problem lately.  Mine was doing it a couple of weeks ago, and so is JCH's right now.  My problem went away after I adjusted the float bowls and got rid of the petcock valve and ran my fuel lines straight to the carb.  I would suggest that you pull your carbs, adjust/check float heights, and check that your needles and seats aren't worn and/or sticking.

[Vball24]

I apologize for being a complete idiot when it comes to mechanics, is this something I could easily do (if so more instructions on how to would be great   ) or should I just take it back to the mechanic?

[mp183]

I had a similar problem and it was the valves.  The revs would shoot up to 3,000 when it got hot.  If I started it when it was cold it seemed like it was starting off on one cylinder for the first 15 seconds.
Next time the revs shoot up pull the cable to one of the plugs.  
Try to see if the high revs come from one cylinder or both.

[Stephen072774]

Welcome to the board... glad to see another member from Bama.  There are several guys in your area.

I have a '01 as well, but I've never touched the carbs.  I have read cases lately where a valve adjustment solved a high idle problem.  How many miles on your bike?  It could be something to check.  I'm sure others will give you better advice than I on what your problem might be.

Furthermore I'll say I'm far from a mechanic myself, but with a Clymer manual, some patience, and the collective knowledge from this site, I can fix anything on my GS.  

[Vball24]

Hopefully once I get a bit better on the bike I will be able to ride with the guys down here.  I am quite the newbie to riding, I've only been out on the road once.   I'm hopeing the weather will warm up a bit so I can ride some more.

Anyway, my bike has about 10900 miles on it.  I'll try to look into the valve adjustment.  Hopefully that will solve my problems.  Thanks.

[JCH]

When my bike died this week I was told by the mechanic that the bike was overheating.   That somewhat matches what the guys told me here about my idle problem, saying that I was jetted too lean.

But I don't know much more than you do about this stuff  :dunno:    :mrgreen:

[pantablo]

Its a common issue with the gs. In the US the bikes are jetted lean for emissions. The jets are in the carbs. Rejetting cures the high idle. With bike lean/stock the revs will jump andhang at 3k or more. What I did was set the idle lower when it was warm, like around 1500-2k. I'm in CA so it wasnt too hard to start when cold but if you live in colder climates you might have the carbs rejetted. Running lean makes the engine run hot but shouldnt be enough to overheat the bike-that is uncommon.

I never swapped the jets out and it ran fine for me. I had a 2001 model.