'97 GS500e Problem

[DWeisbach]

Hi All,

Sorry to jump aboard, and immediately seek help, but hopefully in due time I can make it up to other members.  I am new to motorcycles, and this is my first bike, but have several years of experience as an automotive mechanic, as well as several years of "backyard" mechanic experience prior to professional experience. 

I picked up a '97 non-running GS500e about a month back down in San Diego for a couple hundred dollars, and after discovering a more-or-less no longer existent con-rod bearing, replaced the motor for a couple hundred more.  The bike starts with a bit of difficulty, and lots of choke, but stalls if any throttle is given, or choke is shut off.  The only exception being that if I hold my hand over the intake, further choking the motor, I can rev it up, and it responds fairly well. 

The conclusion that I and some friends of mine have arrived at is that the carbs (specifically the fuel side, the jets, needles, etc.)  Does this make sense to you all? 

Lastly, is anyone interested in trading skills (welding, working on cars, or sexual favors... ok, kidding there ) for a hand on a motorbike for new rider eager to jump on a old, new toy?

Thank you all in advance for any help you might be able to offer
-Dave

[Big Rich]

Make sure the battery is fully charged first - have you cleaned the carbs yet? And does it have the stock exhaust/  intake on it?

[DWeisbach]

To be honest, I have been starting and running it on a jumper box, on account of the fact that the battery I purchased the bike with was quite dead.  If I may ask, why do you ask about the battery?  I'm not sure I follow how this would affect the problem I'm having.

I have only tried to clean the jets, not the entire carbs.  Intake and Exhaust appear stock.  I'll probably clean the carbs tonight.  Any advice on that?

Thank you
-Dave

[Big Rich]

A weak battery can give problems that resemble carbs problems. And you didn't mention the battery at all.....

The reason the engine runs better with your hand over the intake is because it's getting too much air with no airbox/ filter. There is a very recent thread here that discusses pulling the carbs off to clean them. It's a lot easier than people realize. Just remember there are many small parts that are easy to lose and the spray type carb cleaner is bad for rubber.

[DWeisbach]

Sorry if I came across as abrasive when I asked why you were inquiring about the battery.  I wasn't quite sure what you were getting at. 

When I noticed that the bike would run better when I further choked the intake, that was over the inlet to the filter, not the carbs directly. 

I pulled the carbs again last night and fairly thoroughly disassembled and cleaned them.  The parts are still soaking in a bit of a ghetto carb cleaner right now - gasoline.  I plan to reassemble them tomorrow.  I'll keep you posted. 

Thanks for the help
-Dave

[Big Rich]

No, I didn't take it as abrasive. Did I come off like that? Sorry if I did.

A great way to clean nasty carbs is to boil them in a mix of lemon juice and water. It stinks like crazy so don't do it in the house. It is strange that it runs better with your hand over the intake.......