Newbie.... 94 GS500E White headed colder sparks....

[GS500er]

Hey Everyone,
Newbie Here... Just bought a 94 GS500E a couple of weeks ago... and I love her....BUT.....

I noticed my plugs where burning white, so I changed them to the colder NGK set DPR9EA9. Drove to work this morning (highway) and not only are they burning white too, but just before I got to work she sputtered to a halt.... ( I thought I ran out of gas) but she failed to start on reserve, I was dumbfounded.  Every time I tried to start her, she wouldn't take.... (just like when you try to start the engine cold without Choke)... so I tried the choke and SURPRISE she started. I was able to take the choke off and no problem until I got to work.   Any clue?

Regards,
Eric

[annguyen1981]

Unfortunately, I'm not an expert in this matter.

But I wanted to be the first to say WELCOME!

[hmmmnz]

your running seriously lean, thats what white on your plugs mean, try adjusting your mixture screw on the bottom of your carb, wind it all the way in taking note how many turns then wind out 2.5 turns to 3 turns you can do it with out taking your carbs off if you have the little brass cap removed and you have a little flat head bit for a drill or something like that.
thats what it is though, you might think about rejetting at some stage as well

[scratch]

Welcome!

Is your bike completely stock?  That may be why it's running lean.

Also, what octane gas are you using?  You should be using regular.

As Hmmmmnz stated, are the brass plugs over your mix screws still installed?  See picture (plugs still installed):

Choke is what you should use to start the bike.

[GS500er]

Thanks scratch and hmmmnz,

I believe the bike is still Stock, and I am using regular octane.
I'll fiddle with the mixture and let everyone know.

Oh, I haven't checked yet, but how do I remove the brass plug you mentioned? (that sounds way too kinky for my likes) 

Oh and thanks for the "welcome"  annguyen1981.
I'll send pictures as soon as I can for the group.

Thanks again,
Eric

[Mandres]

I used a power drill and a small (1/16") bit to drill out the plugs.  If they don't come out with the drill then use an EZ out in the hole you just drilled.

-M

[LimaXray]

Yeah white means lean.  If those brass plugs are still in, you should try running some carb cleaner through them as they may just be a little clogged.  If that doesn't work, you'll have to take the carbs off and drill out those plugs.  While they're off, you might as well clean them and think about rejetting them because the stock jetting is a little lean.  Also, put those hotter plugs back in or they'll foul as soon as you get the carbs sorted out.