IDLE

[Rino]

Ok, I am new to GStwin.com.  Here is my first question.(S)

I have had my 92 GS500 for about a year. It ran great last summer.  This summer I tried to get it running but failed.  FIrst the battery is dead. Second I can get it running but I need the choke on.  If I bring the choke down, even after a long time running, it dies.  It idles below 1000 rpms. The guy I got this from, a friend of mine rebuilt the carb before I got it.  

I changed the gas for new gas.  I put some carb cleaner in case there was build up.  It still is dying.  I am thinking of changing the spark plugs and possibly turning up the idle.  

I haven't done any work on this bike.  I did a search for links on the carb, anyone know one with pics of the idle and which way to turn and such.

Thanks alot.

[ajgs500]

The idle is a white knob and it is like right in the middle of the engine.  You don't have to take anything apart it is just sticking up there.  Don't remember which way to turn it.  You will have to play with it to see.

[97gs500e]

adjust the idle screw

[Kerry]

The idle is a white knob and it is like right in the middle of the engine.

Actually, on pre-'01 bikes it is a brass knob:



Like ajgs500 said, just play with it.  If turning it one way drops the RPMs, turn it the other way. :dunno:   (Screwing it up towards the carbs will increase the idle.  But whether that's clockwise or counter-clockwise depends on which 2D projection your mind pictures as you visualize it ... )

[Rino]

So what about the other screws, air gas and such.

The idle should be the answer.  Idle at 1500 rpms?  

Thinking of replacing the spark plugs, what should they look like if they are good/bad.  Or should I not worry about this.

I'm gonna have to change the battery.  What do I have to do to ensure that it won't go bad.

[RVertigo]

Spark plugs are only a few bucks...  It won't hurt to replace them while you're messing with the other stuff.  Other than that  :dunno:  

Maybe you'll have it fixed by Saturday

[Kerry]

So what about the other screws, air gas and such.

Those are just marked for those adventurous types that rejet their carbs.

The idle should be the answer.  Idle at 1500 rpms?

Actually, the spec is 1200.  I keep mine closer to 1300.

Thinking of replacing the spark plugs, what should they look like if they are good/bad.

See if this Haynes chart helps.

I'm gonna have to change the battery.  What do I have to do to ensure that it won't go bad.

Just keep riding the bike!

[calvert0014]

i had pretty much the same problem with my 1991, i would recomend that you triple check the fuel hose routing. make sure that the vaccume hose is hooked up correctly(to the side of the carb. mine wouldnt go over abot 1500 with the choke on and would die immediately if i tried it turn it off. i would check the hoses before i went any further.

[Rino]

When I got the plugs, it said in the book to keep them at .035.  But i thougth GS's should be around .07?  

True False.

Anything else I can do for a quick fix to help give it a smother ride.

[Rino]

Calvert.

what am I looking for?

[Kerry]

When I got the plugs, it said in the book to keep them at .035.  But i thougth GS's should be around .07?

The .035 was probably in inches.

Maybe this additional info from the Haynes manual will help?

[Rino]

Okay,

This has just been so helpful for me I keep asking questions.

on the fuel indicator.  What is the PRIme for.

[My Name Is Dave]

Okay,

This has just been so helpful for me I keep asking questions.

on the fuel indicator.  What is the PRIme for.

It preloads the turbo.

D  

[Kerry]

It is "prim"arily (ha ha) to "prime" the carburetors by filling the float bowls when they are empty.

In the ON and REServe positions, fuel will only flow to the float bowls when the engine is turning over.  If there is no fuel in the float bowls (because they were drained due to carb work or winter storage) the engine won't turn over very long before the battery gives out.

The PRIme position allows fuel to flow to the float bowls whether the engine is running or not.  Once they're full, the bike can start up and run, and you can put the switch back to the ON or REServe position for normal operation.

[pandy]

Or for those of us with fuel starvation issues, PRIme is the "keeps us going on the freeway when otherwise we'd sputter, cough, and stop" switch!

pandy  

[My Name Is Dave]

So which one preloads the turbo for max power?  :dunno:

D  

[Rino]

So can you leave it in PRI when riding.  what will that cause?  once you get it running after sittin for a while.  switch to on.  

If it's sat overnight i shouldn't put in pri, should i?  just use the choke.

it is sputtering when I am driving it, and it backfired a few times.  ??

[Kerry]

So can you leave it in PRI when riding.  what will that cause?

Yes, you can leave it in PRI while riding.  There are only two real risks you take when you leave it in the PRI position ALL the time:

1) If/when you run out of gas, you are really, absolutely OUT.  (No reserve after that!)

2) If you happen to have leaky float valves, then leaving it in PRI while the engine is stopped can result in an overflow of fuel into your airbox and/or crankcase.  It won't happen to most bikes, but I think this is precisely why the industry got away from the old gravity-actuated ON/OFF petcock and went to the vacuum-actuated ON/RES settings.[/list:u]

If it's sat overnight i shouldn't put in pri, should i?  just use the choke.

It's more accurate to say that you shouldn't NEED to put it in PRI.  Once the float bowls are full, the ON and RES position should be sufficient for normal riding.  (With notable exception of fuel starvation on some bikes.)

it is sputtering when I am driving it, and it backfired a few times.  ??

This could be caused by several different things.  (Spark plugs, electrics, rich/lean conditions, etc.)  Can you tell us more?

[Rino]

what is happening is. . .

when starting the bike i need to keep the choke on.  if i turn off the choke the bike dies.  (I think i need to up the idle)(haven't had time to work on it lately)

When in first and second gear it seems i don't have any power.  i give it gas and nothing then a few seconds later it's like i have a turbo boost.  i then shift to 2nd. and the same thing once i get into 3rd and above no problem.  power and smooth riding.

Could this be the idle?  dirty carb?  

just put in new spark plugs at the end of the season last year and rebuilt the carb before the season.  

I could run more carb cleaner through?

when it backfires(mainly in 1st, a few times in 2nd) i think there's a fuel problem.  and when you need to leave the choke on to keep it running, definitly a fuel thing.

thanks

[scratch]

when starting the bike i need to keep the choke on.  if i turn off the choke the bike dies.  (I think i need to up the idle)(haven't had time to work on it lately)

Use the throttle to keep the rpms up for now. Set the idle to 1300 after a good long ride, when the engine is nice a warm (hot). You may still need to use the throttle to keep the rpms up when it's still cold in the morning and warming up, but it's better than having the engine idle at 3000 rpm when warm.

When in first and second gear it seems i don't have any power.  i give it gas and nothing then a few seconds later it's like i have a turbo boost.  i then shift to 2nd. and the same thing once i get into 3rd and above no problem.  power and smooth riding.

At what rpms are you at? There is no real power below 4000. Keep your rpms above 4000. How does it rev in neutral?