New to the GS500

[jgxtra]

I just bought a 1990 gs500 from my roommate and it is my first bike.  I first rode a 500 a few years ago when my last roommate had the same bike.  Now I have my own and need some fixin' up to get it running to spec.  It runs rough with a low idle and dies out if I don't keep the throttle up.   With the advice of a friend that works at the local bike dealer I put some sea foam in the tank to see if he carbs would clear out.  It seems to run a bit better, but still has the same problem.  What is my next step without paying more for service then the $600 I paid for the bike?  I do need to replace the valve cover gasket and I'm sure I am capable of that.  Now should I clean the carbs or just adjust the idle?  I'm thinking that since since the bike tends to bog out during low rpm's when letting out the clutch the carb has more to do with it.  I anyone has some helpful input to my inexperience it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,     jgxtra

[makenzie71]

Carb issue.  It's  a90 model bike...likely not had much maintanance done ver the last several years.  Start by carefully disassembling the carburetors and cleaning them very thoroughly.

[RVertigo]

Don't think of the maintenence as an addition to the cost of the bike...  Think of it as an addition to the value of the bike.

90's still sell for WAY more than $600...

Clean it up and RIDE IT!   

[Trwhouse]

Hi there,
Congrats on your new bike.
Yes, you need to clean out the carbs, the idle and main jets are clogged from improper storage. Gasoline degrades into a thick varnish that clogs small carb passages over time and that's what happened to your bike. It's a common problem with any stored vehicle if the gas isn't drained or preserved using a gasoline additive like "Stabil" before the vehicle is stored for more than a month or so.
A carb cleaning is not that difficult to do. It takes some basic hand tools, patience and your new friends here on GStwin to help guide you.
There are plenty of resources here, including a helpful, photo-illustrated tutorial, to help you through a carb rebuild, as well as advice on how to make subtle changes to the carbs so that your bike idles and runs better (GS500s are set to run lean from the factory for emissions, but that makes them very lousy at warming up quickly. A couple of minor changes to the carb needle setting and idle screws and warmup and cold-running performance are drastically improved, all for free!).
The valve cover gasket replacement is easy, too, and we can show you how to check your valve adjustment as well. Take your time and anything is possible.
Again, welcome and dive in.
Best wishes,
Todd   

[3imo]

congrats on the GS.   and Welcome. 

This site will help.  Carbs are a common issue on the older bikes. so grab a wrench

it's actually easy. well the second time around.

good luck.

[pandy]

Welcome to the site, jgxtra! You'll find plenty of help here, so don't be afraid to roll up your sleeves! 

[jgxtra]

Thanks for the quick responses on my questions.  I did look through the tutorial and can say it doesn't look hard.  I havn't touched carbs since auto class.  I have worked on cars and Detroits on boats so I will try the my hand at the bike.  I'm sure you'll be hearing from me though.
                      Thanks again to those who have and those who will respond!

[My Name Is Dave]

as well as advice on how to make subtle changes to the carbs so that your bike idles and runs better (GS500s are set to run lean from the factory for emissions, but that makes them very lousy at warming up quickly. A couple of minor changes to the carb needle setting and idle screws and warmup and cold-running performance are drastically improved, all for free!).
Best wishes,
Todd   

So todd, care to explain for him (me) the needle adjustment and screw settings that take care of the lean factory settings? After totally tearing down the carb on my c70 and learning how it all works, I finally know what the needle is and want to do this adjustment.

But I mostly want you to detail it for him, of course.

And welcome to the forum. I learned everything I know about motorcycles here, so search and ask questions.

Dave

[scratch]

Welcome!

It runs rough with a low idle and dies out if I don't keep the throttle up.

How low of an idle?  Less than 1200rpm after a 15 minute ride?  It should idle between 1200-1300rpm when fully warm (after a 15 min ride).  When cold, it is normal for us to use our throttle to keep the rpm's up until it's warmed up, otherwise it'll idle too high when it does get to operating temp.

I'm thinking that since since the bike tends to bog out during low rpm's when letting out the clutch the carb has more to do with it.

Are you giving it any gas when you let the clutch out?

[jgxtra]

The bike idles around 900 after a full warm up and a brief ride around the nieghborhood.  I'm having to give it a lot of gas (up to 4000rpm) to get me moving out of first without the bike dieing out.  I does seem better the more I ride, but without constant twists on the throttle it will stop running.  Something else thats probably contributed to the clogged carbs is the lag that I feel during slower speed acceleration.  True? 

[Toledo Jim]

The bike idles around 900 after a full warm up and a brief ride around the nieghborhood. ---

Idle should be 1200 -1500 after properly warmed up. 

--- I'm having to give it a lot of gas (up to 4000rpm) to get me moving out of first without the bike dieing out. ----

Sounds about right to me, clutch control comes in here. 

Get your idle up and practice slipping that wet clutch.