Finally Got a Bike

[El Bandito]

So I finally found a suitable (IMO) GS on craigslist and picked it up today. It is a red or maroon-ish 1996 with 8,000 miles, and it had brand new tires and all new fluids and plugs.

Quick question though, there is some slight hesitation when accelerating in the lower gears, I'm thinking the carbs need to be cleaned, would some seafoam or similiar in the tank help that out? Also, after it has been running for a while, the idle speed is high, around 3,000rpm, and it will only drop if I let the clutch out a little, any idea what would cause that?

Well, I have to go back to staring at my bike for a while, thanks for the help!

-Brian

[CirclesCenter]

No, fuel additives don't help, they're freaking snake oil. It only takes a few hours to take them off, disassemble and clean them, and then carefully reassemble. Not a big deal, you *can* (although it is not reccomended) do the whole job with your bike's tool kit.

Dirty carbs maybe, air leak, sticking choke, mis-adjusted idle screw. Carbs out of balance (?) Over rich (?) (Ok I'm just poking at stuff now I'll shut up.)

Anyways, tear 'em down and clean them. It's really not that hard, and you don't *really* need the manual. (I know I'm going to get flack on this) It might clear up as soon as you do that.

And clean the tank while you have it off, replace the fuel lines and clean out the petcock and tank shutoff valve.

[gsmetal]

No, fuel additives don't help, they're freaking snake oil.

I'll disagree here. I use TECHRON all the time and it works great. Available at Target. Don't dump the whole bottle in - use about 1/3 with each tankful for 3 tankfuls. Try and get out on the freeway so the stuff can work it's magic.

[scratch]

I'll disagree here. I use TECHRON all the time and it works great. Available at Target. Don't dump the whole bottle in - use about 1/3 with each tankful for 3 tankfuls. Try and get out on the freeway so the stuff can work it's magic.

+ high rpm's.

Hesitation through lower gears/low rpm's might be because of jetting, the mix screws not screwed out enough, or the float level to low; in addition to the potential air leak due the carbs not being seated right, or the carb boots and air boots being old, dried and cracked.

You can check for leaks by spraying WD40 around the suspected areas, with the bike running, and if there is a change in rpm's, you've found your leak (or narrowed it down).

Also, check the airfilter.

Ask the previous owner when the last valve adjustment was done.  And, were the carbs syncronized?  Both should be done every 4000 miles, and I think you inherited the priviledge of having it done (8000 miles).  Change the fork oil while you're at it.

Idle at 3000 when warm: idle set too high (but the above problems may contribute).  Set your idle to 1300 when warm, and use the throttle to keep up the rpm's when it's cold (even with choke; you've heard our bikes are cold blooded; figure about 15 minutes of riding til it's fully warm).  This is free.

Then see if the jetting has been adjusted by looking to see if the brass plugs are still installed under the carburetors.  If they're still installed, it hasn't been messed with; which also means they could be set too lean from the factory.

[CirclesCenter]

Eh I still think they're snake oil. Plus a good teardown is easy, and never unneeded.

Hell if you're nearby I'll come over and wrench with ya!

[Jenya]

So I finally found a suitable (IMO) GS on craigslist and picked it up today. It is a red or maroon-ish 1996 with 8,000 miles, and it had brand new tires and all new fluids and plugs.

Quick question though, there is some slight hesitation when accelerating in the lower gears, I'm thinking the carbs need to be cleaned, would some seafoam or similiar in the tank help that out? Also, after it has been running for a while, the idle speed is high, around 3,000rpm, and it will only drop if I let the clutch out a little, any idea what would cause that?

Well, I have to go back to staring at my bike for a while, thanks for the help!

-Brian

Congrats on finding a GS in Seattle area. My co-worker been keeping an eye for one on craigslist for a while now. Guess you got him beat.
I would also advise against wasting your money on all the fuel additives and such and take carbs off and give them good cleaning and tunning. I can help you with that. Sounds like both idle mixuture and idle speed screwes are not set right on your bike.

Jenya

[El Bandito]

That would be cool to get some help, I am a total noob to bikes.

The thing about the high idle is...if I let the clutch out a little it goes down to around 1200 and stays, but if I rev a little again, the idle speed goes back to around 3000, then if I let the clutch out a little it does it again, etc.

[Esih]

Congrats! 

How much did you take it home for?


I occasionally check CL just to see what I missed out on from nabbing my 1990 when I did. Its been a bit more work than I orginally anticipated, but I don't regret it for a minute.

[El Bandito]

It was about 2g's. Might be kind of expensive but hey...

[Turd Ferguson]

Dude, maroon 96 with the dark grey frame...  Those bikes are IMO the best looking GS500's behind the naked 05 GS500's.  Congrats on the bike. 

Please, if even just for me, post a few pictures!

-Turd.

[pantablo]

the high idle when warm is indicative of stock lean jetting in the carbs. check my site for a couple really good how-to's on rejetting carbs...also a search here and check the FAQ section. this is a way common issue with US bikes. the jets run lean so the bike can meet emissions standards. I never did the rejetting on my 2001 though-the carbs were too new and different at the time and there wasnt as good a database for what sizes to use. What I did instead was simply adjust the idle low enough when warm to still allow it to start relatively easily and left it at that. I then did the same as you-letting out the clutch a bit at a stop.

[scratch]

That was a question I was going to ask: Is it a California model?

[FearedGS500]

8k thats good ! i'v had my gs almost a year now (3 months shy) and i already have 12k on it and i bought it with 2 miles on it

[El Bandito]

Here are a couple of pics...



I also adjusted the idle set screw and it seems to not be having the high idle problem.

[scratch]

That is a nice red!    Bike looks great!

The first photo is the best.

The other photo shows the tires well.  Pirelli's!

And, now that I notice, what's up with those mirrors?  Small plane airport nearby?  Live in the flightpath and gotta dodge low flying aircraft?

What Pirelli's are those, and what sizes?

[Turd Ferguson]

That front tire is a Metzeler Sportec M-1.  I gots me a pair of those too.  I can't tell what that rear is.

I'm a fan of the second photo myself.  I'm telling you, the 96 red/charcoal frame color combo might be the best looking GS500 ever. 

Your bike = gorgeous!  Congrats!

-Turd.

[Dwn4whadever]

El Bandito you have joined the club of sexy bike owners.

Here is a pic of my baby. I gotta take a new one with with my newest mod but this will do for now.

[El Bandito]

Thanks for the comments guys!

The tires are Metzler, the front is a Sportec M-1 the rear is an ME-550.

No, I don't live near an airport lol, I just had the mirrors that way because I keep it in the garage between two cars and it is easier to walk past like that.