cleaned carbs... now what?

[JROCK]

Hey Guys.  I bought a 2000 GS500E just a few days ago(first bike!) and I am having trouble getting it to run.  The bike has 14,00 miles and it is in perfect condition cosmetically.  I was able to get it at a really good price due to the fact it would not start up.  But the engine did turn over with no trouble and it was getting a spark.  It had been setting for almost a year with no care at all and so I took a chance on it thinking that the carbs were just gummed up, which they were.  After cleaning the carbs this weekend, I was able to bring her back to life...somewhat.  It would start and idle for a little while but only with the choke open.  Once I gave it gas it would stall and it was running on one cylinder.  I have taken the carbs back out and I'm going to clean them in a bath at my buddies shop.  Hopefully this will work but I'm a little skeptical.  Does anyone have any other ideas as to what could be causing this?  I know there must be hundreds but I am new to this bike and wondering if there is a common problem that could be doing it.  Thanks!

[5thAve]

Air, fuel, spark.  That's the key mix of ingredients.  Before you chase any other gremlins, do make sure that all passages in the carbs are clean and there's no debris gumming them up.  Once they're back together, make sure that the boots connecting the carbs tot he heads are secure and not leaking air (spray some WD40 or similar while the bike is running--if the idle improves when the outside of the boots are sprayed, then the engine is sucking in air through a leaky boot).  I'm pretty sure that a careful carb re-cleaning will help your situation. 

If not, it is time to have a look at valve clearances and timing.  Doubtful that either of these would give you a problem unless a previous owner has been inside the engine and made a mistake when putting things back together. 

Anyway, start with the carbs. I think you're on the right track.   

[The Buddha]

Missing top cap O ring - or an even bigger vacuum leak ? The petcock vac hose is off/ripped. Floats off ? Clogged air jet ? Intake manifold leak ? exhaust leak ?
After eliminating all of those - re jet it. To a 40/125 - I have a kit for that $25 shipped. but its 40/125 3 turns / 1 washer.
Cool.
buddha.

[JROCK]

Thanks for the quick response... I will be sure to check the boots, however, the rubber is in great condition so there are no visible cracks.  Also, my air filter is really dirty and definitely needs to be replaced, but I figured this would cause more of a performance issue.  Another question I have is the fuel/air screws on the bottom of the carb.  they were 4.5 turns out on one side and 5.5 turns on the other.  Could this be another show stopper?... thought that was more of a fine tuning thing.  Don't want to get too ahead of myself though... Ill start with a thorough carb cleaning.  Will update later... 

[JROCK]

Come to think of it, I didn't have anything hooked up to the petcock vacuum port.  Dont remember taking anything off it either... which hose is suppose to be hooked up to it?  I had three total: 1 to carbs, 1 main fuel line from tank, 1 reserve line from tank.  Carbs bowls were filled with gas though... maybe not enough?

[The Buddha]

Come to think of it, I didn't have anything hooked up to the petcock vacuum port.  Dont remember taking anything off it either... which hose is suppose to be hooked up to it?  I had three total: 1 to carbs, 1 main fuel line from tank, 1 reserve line from tank.  Carbs bowls were filled with gas though... maybe not enough?

It will fill in prime without vacuum - or if the petcock is defective.
The hose to the rear of the petcock - closest the airbox - that is what the vacuum line goes to.
Dirty filter can send dust in to clog stuff up ...
You can wash the paper filter in gasoline and reuse it unless if has holes in it.
Cool.
Buddha.

[JROCK]

I assume the vacuum hose is coming from the carbs??

[JROCK]

....feelin pretty stupid right now... I had the vacuum ports on both carbs tied together.  Didn't realize that the vacuum inlet on the petcock is suppose to tie to the inside of the left carburetor, while the right side stays open(??).  Sorry to be answering my own questions... I'm still learning.

[The Buddha]

....feelin pretty stupid right now... I had the vacuum ports on both carbs tied together.  Didn't realize that the vacuum inlet on the petcock is suppose to tie to the inside of the left carburetor, while the right side stays open(??).  Sorry to be answering my own questions... I'm still learning.

No right side does no stay open, right side is a dummy that isn't drilled through.
The 2 top caps and O rings are there ?
Cos the way you had them connected - right to left, wont cause it to suck from there as long as the line itself wasn't broken.
My suggestion - keep looking somethign else is causing it to run bad.
Cool.
Buddha.

[JROCK]

If you mean the black caps on the top of the carb then yes, they are still there.  The o-rings are there as well.  We will see how its runs after a second cleaning... and proper install.  Thanks for your help. 

[The Buddha]

Some of the "bath style cleaners" eat up rubber and sometimes plastic.
Make sure you dont have dead O rings in it.
Cool.
Buddha.

[JROCK]

Yea, definitely removing all rubber before it goes in the bath.  Wasn't as worried with the carb cleaner in the can, but the solution they use in the baths is pretty powerful.  If this doesn't work I may just buy a new kit.

[JROCK]

Gave the carbs an ultrasonic bath last night and oowweeee are they clean.  The ultrasonic bath is pretty cool because uses soap and water so it doesn't hurt plastic or rubber.  Set the air screws to 2.5 turns out as recommended on another post I was reading.  Threw in the carbs and fired her up.  Its running great now... but only on one cylinder.  Checked for a spark on the right plug and saw nothin.  Swapped plugs and got the same results.  I didnt have much time to play with it but thinking it might be a bad coil(?).  Gotta get out the multimeter tonight and start doing some investigation work.  Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

[Spasticated]

I find that if my battery is a little low my bike will always run on one cylinder for a couple minutes, then once a little charge gets into it the other one kicks in and its fine.