Looking for advice - gs500 starting

[CliffHanger]

I hope folks here can help me out on my next tasks.

I bought a 98 GS500E in June this year.  Did the MSF, and have been riding a fair bit this summer.

Since the cooler weather has arrived here in Ontario Canada, the bike has been getting tougher to start.
It seems that around 8C/49F it is impossible to start.  It always tries and I can hear the engine fire, but it won't catch and run independantly.
If it catches and can warm-up it runs okay, although there is some surging at part throttle (lean?) and idle hovering.

I am planning on the following over the winter:
Carb clean and Rejet
Valve Adjustment & sync

Can anyone recommend anything to keep it running for another month?
I am really enjoying the riding and I'd like to prolong a bit longer before storing it.
Thanks in advance,
CliffHanger

[ohgood]

if you richen the mixture a little that might help. you are using the choke to start, right ? (sorry, had to ask)


i added a headlight interrupt (relay) to my starting circuit, and it's helped a good deal. that being said, i had to bump start my bike this morning since the oil was cold. my battery fluids were low, and it was just a tad weak. after i charge and refill it tonight, it should start FAST in the morning.

[CliffHanger]

I use 3/4 to full choke everytime to start, even on 25 degree days.  On warm days I can back the choke off after a minute or so but it's about 10 minutes riding before it'll idle with no choke.  This is due to the idle screw being set out so far, otherwise the idle will hang at 4K at lights.

I think that I am fighting a number of problems in the carbs primarily.

If my carbs are stock, I'll need to drill the out the brass plugs right?  Otherwise the only way to richen the mix is to jet to 125?
My pilots should be 40's (Canadian model) but I've not had them open yet to verify.

I'm trying to decide whether to bite the bullet and tear into the carbs, or limp along for another month.
CliffHanger

[Danny500]

What happens in a month? Snow? Lol.. keep riding!

I've been battling my own mix of qualms with the carbs on my 00' GS and it sounds to me like you're running OK and need a good cleaning and a sync.

Pop the carbs off and take them apart following a manual or pictures from a guide online. Leave the mix screws and jets alone, if your bike is stock it'll run fine like that.

Next, look up the $5 dollar vacuum tester in the search section and make sure the carbs are working with each other.

Next, change your plugs out for some new ones, top off the battery level and add a little 2 stroke oil (i mean a cap ful to two caps full), Marvel Mystery oil, or a drop of 30w into your gas tank to help keep the fuel system lubed up.

Next, change out the oil for 10-40 in the winter, 5-40 if you can find it, the 5 to 10weight will ease up starting since it's a thinner oil than 15 to 20weight.

Should fix the majority of your problems in cold weather. If you really want to help the bike out you WILL have to drill the plugs out of the mixer screws and you SHOULD add a washer to each needle.

I run mine at 3.25 turns now, but if you don't do the needle space you should be able to run at 2.75 turns no problem (that's about 1/2 to 1/4 richer than stock).

I'm going to be doing the same 'winterizing' to my bike soon... I had to go through the same thing last year with my Honda CM200T and the lighter weight oil and new plugs make a TON of difference in cold weather starting.

Dan

[CliffHanger]

What happens in a month? Snow? Lol.. keep riding!

Dan

Dude, in southwestern Ontario we can have 2+ feet in October.  We call it "lake effect" and it sucks terribly.
I did change out the plugs and it made the bike much more reliable for the summer months.
Thanks for the suggestions,
CliffHanger

[Danny500]

What happens in a month? Snow? Lol.. keep riding!

Dan

Dude, in southwestern Ontario we can have 2+ feet in October.  We call it "lake effect" and it sucks terribly.
I did change out the plugs and it made the bike much more reliable for the summer months.
Thanks for the suggestions,
CliffHanger

Looks to me like you should invest in this then:



Dan

[Ry_Guy]

Another simple solution is to crank the idle screw up a turn. I've done that on colder months. I usually have to adjust it back after it's warmed up, usually about 2-3 miles down the road. Just reach down and turn it back while you're at a stop light.