Intro and first question

[iv76erson03]

Hey all! Just signed up for the forums. I live around Chicago and bought a 2005 GS500F about 2 weeks ago. A guy it and scared himself on it after hitting a squirrel so he sold it with 250 miles on it. So after a few cosmetic things (he dropped it in grass) I got barely used bike for about 3 Grand. Anyways, I'm just learning to ride and it's pretty fun but I always thought it wasn't running right. At first, it's enough to just go 30 mph, but the other day I took it out on a big road for the first time with my buddy who has a 1982 kawasaki 440 cruiser. He walked all over me. I couldn't even come close to keeping up and it was rough getting it past 60. Also when I got it, the thing wouldn't even idle, it just died. My fix was to increase the idle with the little knob so it works good now most of the time except when I run it a bit harder then it starts idleing at like 3-4000.

So basically I have some issues. My first thought is that the carb is gummed up since it sat for so long. I'm trying to find a good manual, but there really isn't much. The closest thing I found is the Haynes 3238 - GS500E , 487cc, '89 thru '02. You guys think this is my best bet or is there something else closer?

Also another side note, anyone have any luck dumping sea foam in the tank. thought i'd try that for starters and it works good on my car. thanks for the help in advance and I look forward to being a part of this group.

[pantablo]

how long did it sit? unless its been sitting for a year or so it shouldnt be a problem.

the high idle is a result of the carburetor jetting-comes a bit lean from the factory to help pass emissions. permanent fix is to tear into the carbs and rejet it. ghetto fix (worked for me) was to set the idle speed just a little low at idle so that when it did rev up it wouldnt go to 3k+, but only 2.5k or so. it was less embarassing.

you shouldnt have trouble getting past 60. my bike (and many others here) can pull to 120 pretty cleanly, takes a bit of time to get there of course but it can hang all day at 80-90 on the freeway.

you got the same kind of deal I got when I bought my 2001 gs-it was barely used with 425 miles on it and had been dropped already. I paid $3500 for it. 16 months later I sold it for $3000.

welcome to the site. great folks here.

the 89-00 manual is pretty close to what you need. its what I used for the 01. there arent many differences, although a manual for the 05 would also include how-to's for fairing removal. 01-06 carbs are different than 89-00 carburetors also. if you can get one of those manuals cheap it will suffice. I dont think they've made newer versions of the manual to cover the changes made in 01-06.

[Dwn4whadever]

Welcome my friend

[pandy]

Welcome!! 

[iv76erson03]

it sat for like 6 months I think. I've put a new load of gas in it since i got it but i didn't completely drain it. the engine itself looks clean but I figured I'd still try to clean it. I put some new fairings on it and it had to put a new mirror and blinker on it so i've found my way around it pretty good, but I still look at the engine rather clueless. I've found a few decent articles on carb cleaning so I think I might give it a shot. My dad used to be a DIY mechanic so I have about every tool known to man. Since I'm learning, I might just leave it there for a couple more weeks though cause it makes a really good starter bike when it's only running half as good as it should. When I get bored I'll tune it up right when I've read up more on it. Thanks for the quick replys.