Shimmed my needles today

[finmac]

Decided it was time to try and figure out whats been causing my throttle and carb problems as of late. Ordered 3mm stainless steel washers Great Hobbies in PEI, Canada. Pulled the tank to get at the business section and the throttle cables and spring "apparatus" seem to function fine, a little slack for turning, snaps back properly.

I went ahead and put 2 x 3mm washers between the plastic donut and c clip on each needle. I was a little surprised at first, after pulling the rubber diaphragm under the top carb cover, there was this little white plastic plug (needle-nose pliers got it) with a tiny spring under it - that was unexpected. Unexpected was also the brass washer below the plastic donut and the stainless washer above the c-clip???

Is this standard on 2002+ models? Do new American GS500's have this? As I said, I went ahead and put 2 washers on, to see if it runs, maybe too rich...

Fired it up without the tank to have a look at the carb slide operation, the bike seemed to run ok, slides seemed to be ok, not sticking.

I'm still unable to explain the WEIRD problem when adjusting the idle stop- it races and hangs  if the idle is set to anything above stall - anyone wish to try and explain this with carb science??

Maybe the washers will help + putting in a K&N tomorrow we'll see. Maintenance of the GS is not a problem for a novice with a few tools! 

Now to tackle three oil leaks, and progressive fronts

-Fin

[denman]

thats a 2002+ and it has three oil leeks? plus carb problems.   

[finmac]

Yup, when I bought it, there were about 11500kms on it. It had no probs for about 1k. Gradually things popped up, particularly through this past winter. I'm pretty sure it hadnt been serviced for a long time, before I purchased it, though it didnt show - or maybe I didnt know what to look for.

There seems to be a leak on the underside of the shifter side engine casing, and a couple around the valve timing casing.

[pwalo]

Yup, when I bought it, there were about 11500kms on it. It had no probs for about 1k. Gradually things popped up, particularly through this past winter. I'm pretty sure it hadnt been serviced for a long time, before I purchased it, though it didnt show - or maybe I didnt know what to look for.

There seems to be a leak on the underside of the shifter side engine casing, and a couple around the valve timing casing.

It sounds as if you've got excess chain lube leaking out from the front sprocket cover, and a pinched or leaking valve cover gasket.

Neither of these are of real concern. I suggest that you clean out behind your front sprocket, and use some gasket sealer for the valve cover.