Got a little problem hope you guys can help

[hoggin]

Sorry if someone else wrote this before but I have serached and can't seam to find an info to here it goes.
I purchased a 1995 GS500E rode it home fine just had to jump start it. did notice the idle got high after it watmed up, ( no biggy) but after a day of riding it I noticed the tank leaked a little gas (had a small crack on it did not think it leaked when purchased), So I took the tank off to fix the leak and then put it back together and now it will not start. Cranks over fine just will not start up check everything so far even had a mechanic rip me off anff still could not fix it.
Any little info would be great thanks guys. Gob less

[jestercinti]

Did you turn on the tank shutoff valve?

[hoggin]

yes I did that wqas the first thing I checked

[bombsquad83]

Put the petcock on prime and check that you are getting fuel to the bowls by opening the carb drains to check for flow.  If you have flow,  then attach a clear tube and bend it up to check where the gas level settles.  If its not even with your float gasket then you need to adjust or replace your float needle valves.

[adidasguy]

Gas in the tank?
You're not saying how you fixed the leak.
Did you coat the inside of the tank? If you did, did you remove the tank fuel valve first? If you didn't, you probably coated it and clogged it up with the stuff that coated the inside of the tank.

Test: Pull off one of the fuel lines from the frame petcock. Does gas come out? If so, put it back on. If not - then you have problems with the tank fuel valve or the screen filter inside the tank or you don't have gas in the tank (yes - I have actually seen that in person!)

[hoggin]

Put the petcock on prime and check that you are getting fuel to the bowls by opening the carb drains to check for flow.  If you have flow,  then attach a clear tube and bend it up to check where the gas level settles.  If its not even with your float gasket then you need to adjust or replace your float needle valves.

to chck the flow do I have to try and start the bike or just open the drains.

[hoggin]

Gas in the tank?
You're not saying how you fixed the leak.
Did you coat the inside of the tank? If you did, did you remove the tank fuel valve first? If you didn't, you probably coated it and clogged it up with the stuff that coated the inside of the tank.

Test: Pull off one of the fuel lines from the frame petcock. Does gas come out? If so, put it back on. If not - then you have problems with the tank fuel valve or the screen filter inside the tank or you don't have gas in the tank (yes - I have actually seen that in person!)

I just used some JB weld from the outside of the tank not the inside,

[bsheppar]

Put the petcock on prime and check that you are getting fuel to the bowls by opening the carb drains to check for flow.  If you have flow,  then attach a clear tube and bend it up to check where the gas level settles.  If its not even with your float gasket then you need to adjust or replace your float needle valves.

to chck the flow do I have to try and start the bike or just open the drains.

Put the petcock in the prime position and then open the drains. The prime position allows the fuel to flow freely and does not rely on vacuum as the ON and RES positions do.

[hoggin]

Thanks bsheppar i did ur idea and noticed fuel come only from 1 carb should it come out from both carbs.

[mchollan]

Yes, fuel should flow out of both drains.  The carb that isn't draining you probably have a stuck float on.

[Funderb]

es, fuel should flow out of both drains.  The carb that isn't draining you probably have a stuck float on.

or the drain hole is full of crap, which is a bad sign anyway.

[hoggin]

Thanks guys I did it agqain and it did drain out fo both sides, someone told me to check the spark plu gap, Does anyone know what the gap should be?

[bsheppar]

You could try taking the carbs off and spraying a little starter fluid into the intakes and see if she tries to fire. But first, I would make sure there's spark at the plugs. If you're getting spark and it tries to fire with the starter fluid then everything points to a carb issue not providing fuel to the engine.

[hoggin]

How can I check to see if I am getting spark to the plugs

[Funderb]

pull off a plug cap and crank the bike, if it shocks the shaZam! out of you the coils probably good.


or you can pull the plug, stick it back in the plug wire, hold it against the engine and crank, look for the spark there.
Best to do it in the shade/evening

[bsheppar]

pull off a plug cap and crank the bike, if it shocks the shaZam! out of you the coils probably good.

How to measure spark:

1. Tingling in finger = weak spark.
2. Jolt up the arm = ok spark.
3. Singed hair and burning flesh smell = your good to go.

[bombsquad83]

pull off a plug cap and crank the bike, if it shocks the shaZam! out of you the coils probably good.


or you can pull the plug, stick it back in the plug wire, hold it against the engine and crank, look for the spark there.
Best to do it in the shade/evening

LOL...been done that.  Not for people with heart conditions.

[hoggin]

Thanks all I will try to see if I get spark this weekend.

[crzydood17]

Pinky in plug wire thumb on the cylinder.  < your hair will look like this.

[hoggin]

OKm so I got no spark I think it might be the CDi box? Any other suggestions will be helpful.