my gs500e is getting hot fast

[scotts911e]

my bike is getting so hot that it has melted the back of the front fender abd it reaches this temp in less than 5 mins ideling could this be more than a carb problem?

[ohgood]

my bike is getting so hot that it has melted the back of the front fender abd it reaches this temp in less than 5 mins ideling could this be more than a carb problem?

the gs is an air cooled engine. it doesn't need to idle for 5 minutes, any more than you need to do jumping jacks on the roof during a heat wave.

ride, turn off, ride- but do not idle.


you may be too lean.

[adidasguy]

That hot sound like a bearing going out.
When Junior lost his counter balance bearing, the engine got REALLY HOT. Before I knew what the problem was, we stopped for lunch and I did the  first thing you do: check the oil. HOT HOT HOT. Got oil cap off and smoking from the oil hole.

Many bearings are sleeve bearings - not ball bearings. When their oil channel gets plugged, they don't get oil. Now you have metal on metal with only the tiniest bit of oil seeping in. Result: HOT!

I''d suggest draining some oil. Run it through a filter (or paper town or pig pad) and see what's left. If any sparkly bits you have a problem brewing.

With that heat I'd think there is a problem about to happen.

PS: These bikes can idle and run for 5 minutes or more and not get that hot. You've got a bearing going out. Turn out the lights and I bet it is glowing bright cherry red.

[craigs449]

Could also be exhaust valves have gotten too tight and not letting enough exhaust gas out, creting a hot condition......especially with the outdoor air getting much warmer....OP, when is the last time the valves were checked?  Is it hard to start when it's cold?

[scotts911e]

I just got the bike I haven't even ridden it yet cause i just got it running and noticed the temp seemed really high
so i shut it off! the temp at the the header was *630 something degrees! i'll check the valves next and see what happens