Help with my GS 500?

[jonnycabs1861]

Hiya all
         Just bought myself a 1997 GS 500 & had nothing but trouble with the running of the the thing it had been standing for a while ( dont know how long lol) I started with the tank cleaning out any stale fuel checking the petrol tap and then the carbs done all that now when I start the bike she runs fine but when I go out on the road  the revs fly up in between changing gear also when I come to a junction it revs like mad please some body tell me whats going on?

[Cal Price]

You seem to have started in the right place by doing the obvious thing, I imagine you have done the other "servicing" stuff, clean, regap or replace the plugs, air filter, oil change etc.

I got a 1980 Yamaha going that I got a couple of years back after it had been standing in a garage for eight years by just doing those sort of clean-up jobs.

After getting it moving the trick is to ride it and try and figure what is going on, the idle speed may need tinkering with which is a simple adjustment, there is a nylon knurled nut "hanging" between the carbs. You may well have to strip and clean up the carbs, you might be lucky and do the trick with a chemical addative to your fuel.

It will depend on your level of expertise and confidence, if you start stripping the bike get a workshop manual and make sure you have a good place to work. If you have someone who has done this kind of thing before that is great or find yourself a decent repairer, talk to other bikers locally and find out about your areas alternatives. If you don't know what you are doing don't get into a situation where the bike becomes a pile of bits, there are some great technical people here who can help but get the help before taking your tools to the bike.

Whereabouts in UK are you? and have you seen the UK meet and greet facility?
Good luck with the bike.

[gsJack]

Sounds like a simple idle adjustment problem to me, had that with my 97 when it was new back in 99.  If the idle speed was adjusted to idle without choke when the engine was not completely warmed up it did just that with US spec carbs, think your UK carbs were jetted a little less lean in 97 though.

Turn the idle down with the adjustment knob mentioned by Cal after it's totally warmed up and racing away.  Turn it slowly till it just drops off to normal rpm range.  I found I could easily reach under there and adjust the GS idle speed while sitting on the bike at stops so I could get it just right while riding.

[Jay_wolf]

Im In Essex

Not to far lol

[jonnycabs1861]

You seem to have started in the right place by doing the obvious thing, I imagine you have done the other "servicing" stuff, clean, regap or replace the plugs, air filter, oil change etc.

I got a 1980 Yamaha going that I got a couple of years back after it had been standing in a garage for eight years by just doing those sort of clean-up jobs.

After getting it moving the trick is to ride it and try and figure what is going on, the idle speed may need tinkering with which is a simple adjustment, there is a nylon knurled nut "hanging" between the carbs. You may well have to strip and clean up the carbs, you might be lucky and do the trick with a chemical addative to your fuel.

It will depend on your level of expertise and confidence, if you start stripping the bike get a workshop manual and make sure you have a good place to work. If you have someone who has done this kind of thing before that is great or find yourself a decent repairer, talk to other bikers locally and find out about your areas alternatives. If you don't know what you are doing don't get into a situation where the bike becomes a pile of bits, there are some great technical people here who can help but get the help before taking your tools to the bike.

Whereabouts in UK are you? and have you seen the UK meet and greet facility?
Good luck with the bike.
                                        I,m in Essex

[ben2go]

Ok a couple of things here.
When you start the bike dose it sit and idle at 1200 rpm,warm with the choke off?
If yes,check for sticking inside hand control,throttle cable,and throttle shaft for carbs.
Also,check to see if there is a missing return spring on the carbs.A manual will help with
locating the spring.
If no,adjust the idle with the knureled nut hanging from beneath the carbs.Make sure
the engine is warm and the choke is off.
If the choke isn't adjusted right,it will cause the idle to progressively get faster as the
engine warms.Also,check the choke cable for binding or sticking.A manual will help
greatly.I use a Clymer manual,but you'll need to find one for your year bike.

Hope this helps.If I think of any thing else I'll post it.Be patient,this is a good learning
experience.The knowledge you gain can repay you many times.Just think of the $$$
you'll save,when you know how to fix your bike.I bought my bike a month ago and
I have saved close to $1000US,just sprucing up my bike,and adding personal touches.