Gs500f crapped out on me

[Kerry]

If I remember correctly, the bike would at least start and run before you pulled the carbs, right?  Changing the float height to a better setting shouldn't prevent that, so something must have changed during reassembly.

[beRto]

...the float height seems to be perfect on both sides now, less than a millimeter off of the gasket

Congrats! Great Start! 

now my only problem is that my bike wont start

I'm sure it's not a major problem... you'll get it sorted out yet!    Like Kerry said, make sure you put everything back the way you found it.

Since you've confirmed you have fuel, the only other components are air and spark. If the airbox isn't clogged (did you forget a rag in there maybe?), then make sure the spark plugs are properly connected. It might be worthwhile to check both sides for spark (the procedure is in the shop manual, or you can search on the forum).

edit: when you opened up the carbs, were they clean? Maybe your messing around in the floatbowls dislodged some gunk that's now clogging up the jets?

[Meph]

UPDATE:

went out there today and noticed i hadn't reconnected the hose that connects to the top of the airbox.

I reconnected it and the bike would start, but only with full choke, after a while the bike would idle, but the entire time any kind of throttle instantly bogged the bike down and killed it.  I noticed a bit of backfiring and could see some in the carb through the airbox.  once the bike instantly died at about 4k rpms.  I did get it to idle, but only very shortly, for 10 seconds or so max.

still at a loss of what to do.


other than that, the carbs looked very clean and i dont remember doing anything at all to mess them up, i had clean hands and made sure everything was in tip top shape.  So now my basic symptoms are, choke will allow the bike to run, will occasionally idle, throttle bogs it out completely with choke on OR off,  and some noticable occasional backfiring.  One good thing to know also was i did this WITHOUT a gas tank on, this was done with the gas that was in the carbs since i had to remove the gas tank because the bike wouldnt start.

[beRto]

I noticed a bit of backfiring and could see some in the carb through the airbox.

How can you see the carbs through the airbox? Do you not have an air filter installed?! If not, the bike may be complaining that the mixture is too lean.

[Meph]

correct, my air filter is not on. 

[beRto]

correct, my air filter is not on.

And how does the bike perform with the air filter reinstalled?

[Meph]

ill go install my air filter and gas tank and see how she's doing fully put together, maybe to get a better idea of whats going on

[Meph]

air filter on, gas tank on, took a little work and got it running and idling like normal again, the bike does not seem to be running the same as it did before, takes a little more throttle in first gear to get her rolling without stalling and the idle isnt AS steady, but pretty steady, the bike rode well enough to think that nothing else is wrong with it for now.

[beRto]

So far, so good!

Based on your description, you may be in need of carb balancing or idle adjustment.

[Meph]

the idle was sorta high and i adjusted it down to 1300 or so.  Though I don't know anything about the carb balancing hehe.  I'm glad the float height setting seems to have gone well, considering I haven't touched a carb in 5 years or so, and this is my first work on a motorcycle.

now its time for two oils changes and a filter replacement! =D

[beRto]

Great stuff!

Provided you adjusted the idle when the bike was warm, I'd say that you shouldn't worry about it any more and just keep riding! If you notice any additional problems, we may need to consider carb balancing or other solutions.

p.s. If the air filter was originally removed because it is dirty, you should get a new one.

[Meph]

air filter looks pretty darn clean, i think im gonna keep it for now.  and yea i adjusted the idle after my first ride on her in a month.

Thanks for all the help everyone, i'll post up any further detail should anything else come up.

Don't know what I would have done without you guys 

[Meph]

another i've noticed that is different is now with full choke the bike revs up to about 4600 to 5000 rpms, when before full choke would only take it to 4000 max. Just thought i'd mention for future reference maybe 

[Meph]

The bike seems to be running good now, a little different than before but good.  when i went back out there to put the fairings back on today there was a little bit of gas in the drain tube again. should i be worried about this? i hope the carbs arent STILL overflowing =*(

[beRto]

Which one are you calling the drain tube? You can have the float height set properly but still have the float bowl overflow if the needle valves aren't closing properly (and your petcock is in PRI or set to ON but faulty).

[galahs]

I swear it sounds like your getting an air lock in your float bowls.

Are you certain your car breather tube is clear?

[Meph]

the airbox drain tube, and yes i am definitely certain.

but.. I just realized something, That drain tube was the tube that kept making puddles on my garage floor before i worked on the bike, and I never drained that tube after I worked on the bike...  It wasnt dripping, it was just in there and would get on my hands when i squeezed it, So im thinking its the left over gas in the tube from when my float heights were set too high.  So im going to drain it tomorrow, and check the airbox to see if there is any gas in there, if there is no gas in the airbox that means its just the gas from before i worked on the bike 

[beRto]

So im going to drain it tomorrow, and check the airbox to see if there is any gas in there, if there is no gas in the airbox that means its just the gas from before i worked on the bike

Seems reasonable... let us know how it turns out.

[bval]

Hey, Meph . . . How did this turn out? Did you ever get it solved?

[Joseq]

Meph, I am having th same issue, gas leaking problem, bike wont start!! did you ever repaired this problem? I so I would appreciate it if you respond.