What's wrong with my GS500??

[nprice27]

Hi guys, I have recently purchased a GS500 M reg (1995/96). It was £500 with a couple months MOT and tax. It is fitted with a 33BHP restrictor kit (category A1 license holder). Now for the problem. It had a full tank of petrol when I brought it and I travelled back 35 miles on the motorway. I rode it around town and a few country lanes with no problems at all. After a couple of days I was travelled at 60MPH and it conked out, wouldn't start so I had to call my breakdown cover. I got it back and stripped the bike, cleaned the carbs, new air filter, new battery and fresh petrol. Took it out for a few days and was running perfect till I took a corner and it conked again. The bike wouldn't start by electric start but I managed to bump the bike but no matter how much I tried it refused to rev up, after a couple of minutes it came back to life but stuttered until i got home then cut out outside the garage. I stripped the bike again and everything looks fine, the tank is clean, carbs still clean and the air filter seems fine. I started it up about 10 times with no isues at all but after climbing a steep hill it cut out and I was forced to bump the again to get home. The petrol cap is on the ON position but runs the same even on reserve. I am at my wits end now because my first bike is riding like a bag of nails. Any help would be really appreciated??

[Big Rich]

Is it going from "running great" to "bag of nails" instantly? If yes, I want to say it's an electrical problem somewhere........

Or perhaps even a clogged gas cap vent if it's not electrical.

[Twisted]

Yeh next time it does it open the gas cap and see if it will start.

[vinny]

What setting do you have the fuel tap on? It should be on "ON" normally. Try running it on "PRI". If that helps then the fuel tap is fubar.

[craigs449]

Replace the vacuum hoses for the carbs, check to see if the fuel cap vent is clogged.....and.....are you sure you did not run out of fuel each time?

[adidasguy]

Hi guys, I have recently purchased a GS500 M reg (1995/96). It was £500 with a couple months MOT and tax. It is fitted with a 33BHP restrictor kit (category A1 license holder). 

I believe the WIKI needs updating. I recall seeing it say there were no restrictors on the bike. I remember seeing Euro parts lists with the "U" designation for "unrestricted" as I recall, or is it the reverse?

[mister]

Please define "it won't start"

Does it mean...

1 - pressing the starter button produces nothing at all
2 - only a small click is heard and nothing else
3 - the starter tries to start but the engine won't catch
4 - it seems like the engine catches but dies instantly
5 - other: please describe other

When trying to restart was the bike...

a - in neutral
b - side stand up
c - clutch pulled in

Things it could be... easy things to check...

- Clogged air inlet on tank. Crack gas cap and see if it will restart
- bad battery connection
- pinched fuel line
- inline fuel filter (known to restrict fuel flow and cause issues)
- carbs not filling fast enough / high enough
- fault petcock (doubt it but possible)
- check the under tank petcock to make sure the grove it vertical and not semi vertical (Tank petcock is not the frame petcock)
- check side stand safety switch
- check the leads that go to the spark plugs
- check the spark plugs for spark

Things it could be... hard things to check...

We'll get into this list after the above easy things are signed off as ok

Michael