Problem! =(

[Briliu]

OK, well got bike, have problems....

I'm riding it around for 2 days and i have no problems what so ever (except my lack of ability).

Yesterday I start it up, let it warm up for say 5-6 min, and take off. Up and down my street like normal, and about the 3rd time I come around my deadend it starts puttering. Im on the gas out of the turn, and it feels like, acceleration then decell, then accell, then decell. I pull the clutch in and it goes to idle at about 1200.

Then I let it out and start going again, does same thing, but when i pull clutch this time it idles at about 500, and then just shuts off. I have no idea whats causing this. Ok, well i have an idea, main jets cloged?? Spark plugs?? Petcock cloged??

Im only going like 20 - 30 mph. Its happened 3 times now, a guy on my street who owned motorcycles said it sounded like it was only running on one cilynder right before it quit.

When my manule comes, im going to pull the tank off and see if i can get my dad to help me clean the carb, and filter. Oh well, let me know if you have any suggestions that I can try without having to take the tank off.

[glenn9171]

I assume you did turn the choke off?  Have enough gas in the tank?  Petcock on the ON position?  If so, put it to PRI and try it.  It may be as simple as old gas in the tank gummed things up.  Mine did this after the winter.  Just drained the tank and carb bowls and ran some B-12 carb cleaner through.

[pantablo]

lets start at the most basic level since this is a new bike for you and you are a new rider.

Your bike may be running out of gas. You can look into the tank and see lots of gas but the fuel reserve is set pretty high on these bikes-like you'd still have a gallon or more when you "run out of gas". Mine did something like that once and I ended up droping the bike since it sputtered as I was accelerating from a stop turning.

Try setting the fuel valve (called a petcock) to RES and starting it up again. the petcock is located on left side just under front edge of seat.

Tey that before you start tearing up your carbs...

[Briliu]

ya i am "low" on gas, i can still see gas over the bottem, thats probably it. I'll fill it up and check to see if that helps, then if not i'll try the pri thing on the petcock.

[JasonB]

yeah just cause you can see gas at the bottom doesnt mean you have gas even on res. And with Pri you can go a tad bit more but even still there will be gas in the tank. Dont ask how I know...

[Adam R]

You sound like your carbs aren't getting enough fuel.  
If filling up and playing with PRI and Reserve doesn't help, then I have the following suggestion:

Does your GS have a fuel filter installed on it?  If you get a clear one ($2 at any autoparts store), it will quickly tell you if you're getting gas out of the petcock or not.  Installation is pretty easy.  Just stick it in between the line coming out of the carbs and the line out of the frame mounted petcock.

Take the tank off and have a look, its only two bolts.

[Briliu]

ok i took it out today, let it warm up for 15 min, got on, about 1/2 mile later, it did it again. Got off, switched to primary, idled for like 2 min, off i go! ALL BETTER!!!  

Now what exactly does this do? Do i just leave it on primary? Or just when im "low" on fuel?

[glenn9171]

Go fill it up and see if you still have problems.  If so, it means you have a vacuum leak somewhere.  "ON" and "RES" are vacuum actuated.  Fuel will not flow unless the engine is creating a vacuum ans sucking the fuel down to the carbs.  "PRI" allows the fuel to flow to the carbs all the time.  This means if your carb floats decide to stick open, you will have fuel all over the place.

[Briliu]

Heh, ok filling it up will be a problem =) Gonna need to grab a gas can!

Maybe i should go check to make sure i dont have a puddle..... Just got back from work since i posted that.

[yamahonkawazuki]

you made reference to someone saying it sounded like it was running on 1 cyl, if the other solutions dont help, change plugs, 1 of mine had fouled out and it ran like a gz250 :x till i changed them

[Briliu]

when i get my manule i will probably strip it all down and give it a GOOD run over, new oil, lube everything, change foulable stuff, yadi yada.

Thanks for the suggestions! Tomarrow is gas can day ^_^ I wish i had my liscense, so i can get it registered (need to ride it to the inspection place)

[Briliu]

OK, filled up the tank, runs great now =) Still going to change everything though, just in case.

One other thing, what type of chain lube do you all suggest to use? Will i need to have a massive clean up job after riding or should it stick on or something. Let me know what you use! (also, since it looks like the chain has a few rust spots on it, should i do the soak in grease and bake thing? or is the chain o ring? Lemmie know!)

[glenn9171]

Do a search on the subject.  This is what I entered the last time it came up.

"I clean with WD-40. This gets ALL of the black nasty stuff off. I clean that off with Simple Green or one of those "orange oil" degreasers. Rinse well. Ride for about 5 minutes or so to dry and warm the chain. Lube with your favorite chain wax. I use the Maxima chain wax. Doesn't sling off. The Maxima chain "lube" does sling off. Get the "wax" variety . Black can with gold label."

[scratch]

I'll second the Maxima chain wax. Good stuff!