my first gs500 big problem dont want but might have to get rid of it please help

[andyfoxgs500]

hi there im andy from the uk please help me

I like to think of my self as mechanically minded.  The problem is i bought my gs500 on sunday 1 week ago.  the bike was running very badly but was still ridable so i bought it for £200 i rode it 50miles home the max speed was 60mph on a flat and i couldnt use any gear above 3rd because there was not enough power when i got it home i started to strip the carbs to give them a bloody good clean.  when i opened the carbs there was brown gunge in the bottom and in the fuel tank so i washed it all out with petrol and carb cleaner i put the bike back together after renewing all the fuel hoses still no start so again with the carb cleaning gave it another go and if possible it ran worse than before couldnt hold an idle and wouldnt go above 6000rpm with out dieing the only way to start it was to hold the throttle fully open but then let go when it started if you hold it fully open the bike will die.  there was white smoke bellowing out of the exhaust i diognosed it as the right cylinder thats not firing there is compression and a nice healthy spark from both cylinders th left carb is definatley firing petrol into the cylinder but the right is not so i sprayed easy start into the right cylinder intake while the bike was running and the revs picked up much faster and sounded almost normal and the right cylinder got warm (always stayed cold before) but still smoke please help i really want this gs to work as its my first bike and kinda of falen in love lol 

[loki7714]

Not mechanically inclined but i can do this for you...
Link to haynes manual    http://www.manualz.info/Manuals_pdf/SUZUKI/GS500E_89-97%20Haynes%20Service%20Manual%20ENG.pdf
And bump

[Paulcet]

You say a bloody good clean.... Did you ensure that all air and fuel passages are clear?  There are some tiny ones in there!  Sounds like a clogged low-speed jet to me.  Also, how is the level in the float bowls?

[andyfoxgs500]

thanks so much for the fast reply i have checked every passage fuel and air more than once used a whole tin of carb cleaner  ive put the bike back together today so im going to try it again tomorroww but there is still no fuel reaching the right cylinder

[GeeP]

Your fuel tank is likely full of rust and water.  You'll have to take it off, drain it, remove the rust, line it with a tank coating like POR-15, Red Kote, or a comparable material available there.  Once done and the carbs thoroughly cleaned, she'll be good as new!

There are dozens and dozens of posts on cleaning out and de-rusting the GS fuel tank.  Here are a couple to get you started:

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=27969.0
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=38228.0

A quick DIY method to remove the rust is fill the tank full of plated steel BB's and a quarter cup of silica blasting sand.  Then, shake like mad for half an hour or so.  Rinse out the BB's and blasting sand with water, chased with alcohol, then acid etch for coating!  

[andyfoxgs500]

im sorry to keep putting your fire out but i have already cleaned the tank  lol sorry now do you see what a perdicement im in not real sighns whats wrong

[beRto]

im sorry to keep putting your fire out but i have already cleaned the tank  lol sorry now do you see what a perdicement im in not real sighns whats wrong

Is fuel getting to the carbs? You can check by attaching a hose to the float bowl outlet and testing if any fuel will drain out when you open the drain screw.

You will first need to turn the petcock to PRI for a couple of minutes so that fuel can flow with the engine off.

[GeeP]

If the fuel tank was rusty, simply washing it out will only solve the problem for a short period.  I washed mine out when I bought it because I was in a hurry to ride.  I got stuck 350 miles from home with a clogged fuel filter.  The sloshing action of the fuel in the tank will continue to dislodge rust particles which end up in the carburetors.

The tank must be lined and the carbs completely disassembled and cleaned.  Taking a section of stranded copper wire apart will yield a number of small instruments for poking out the idle and air jets. 

[bobthebiker]

I use a fine gauge guitar string on the pilot jets to clear them.    also do a carb synch.  I remember my first GS had this problem and I synched the carbs, no more problem.

[The Buddha]

OK so I'm guessing no gas to right cyl ? how is it looking when you open float bowl drain screw ?
I dont think anything else can do this ... oh wait, choke stuck open ? stuck closed in right carb ? maybe the butterflies are closed in right carb - AKA way out of synch.
And - how is the valve clearances ?
Cool.
Buddha.

[bobthebiker]

OK so I'm guessing no gas to right cyl ? how is it looking when you open float bowl drain screw ?
I dont think anything else can do this ... oh wait, choke stuck open ? stuck closed in right carb ? maybe the butterflies are closed in right carb - AKA way out of synch.
And - how is the valve clearances ?
Cool.
Buddha.

+1 to everything you said here Buddha.    MY CBR is VERY picky about the valve clearances, it wont make ANY power if they're not spot on at .006 and .008 respectively on the IN/EX sides.    your GS is likely the same way.   adjusting the valves when they're an unknown is a good plan anyhow.

[andyfoxgs500]

this is the route of the fuel.  the fuel goes from the tank to both carbs so ok there then the fuel goes from the left carb to the engine but NOT the right the right carb is filling up with petrol but its going no further than that  i have purchased a box of spares today to wich there is a set of carbs im going to try them and see what happens how do i ajust the valve clearances sorry bit of a novice with valves they stress me out

[andyfoxgs500]

i have just bought some new carbs they are used and didnt realise they are from a 2002 bike they look similar but not the same as mine does any one know if they will fit

[beRto]

how do i ajust the valve clearances sorry bit of a novice with valves they stress me out

It's pretty straightforward, especially if you follow Kerry's excellent video:
http://cgi.stanford.edu/~sanjayd/gs500/Maintenance/CheckValves

[The Buddha]

i have just bought some new carbs they are used and didnt realise they are from a 2002 bike they look similar but not the same as mine does any one know if they will fit

Oh yea buying random parts and slapping them on is always the answer.
BTW they will fit, just the cables need to be worked out, have the 02 switch set and cable set ? if so then yea, it will all be fine straight fit.
Cool.
Buddha.

[andyfoxgs500]

thanks for the reply i would never usually buy random bits but im fresh out of ideas and couldnt think of any other way to get my bike running might i say i have fitted the carbs now and they went of fine thanx but now i have another problem as if i couldnt get worse now the carbs are on the right cylinder are working correctly and the left cylinder carbs are not working i dont get it 

[loki7714]

Are they on backwards? Jk but i almost did that once

[andyfoxgs500]

no definatley not one man made me aware that the rubber collars are known to split so i checked them it turns out they are so i will replace them and try it again

[bobthebiker]

I'd be inspecting for air leaks, and while you're at it, DO THE FREAKIN CARB SYNCH.  it'll do wonders for your bike.

[andyfoxgs500]

how do i sync the carbs