New to me GS500E!

[solac3]

Hello all!

I am the proud new owner of a 1990 GS500E. I have been looking around these superb forums for a few days and think I am ready to ask for some help.

I bought the bike knowing it wasn't in perfect running condition. What the previous owner told me is he hasn't had it running well for about 6 months. The bike would start and get flooded within a few minutes. I checked the oil and it seemed thin and smelling of fuel. I have also ordered a rebuild kit for both carburetors. After pulling the carbs I have found them to have several issues. The first thing I saw was a random wood screw in the right side carburetor cap.



This is the best picture I could get of the screw. I have tested it for air tightness and it isn't. Anyone know what effect that this would cause?

Next I found that the small rubber gaskets under the black caps were different sizes.



Sorry for the blurry picture.

And finally one of the carburetor diaphragms looked really wonky.



Also, the blinkers stopped working just before I bought it. I bought a 552 relay and they worked again. When I checked the other relay (I think this is the side stand relay) it seemed like the plastic was really soft. Almost like it had melted or carotid somehow.




I really appreciate your thoughts and advice on what I should do and where to start!

Thanks so much!

[GI JOE]

Hello fellow noobie, and great job using pics everyone loves em (even though mine are too large to load).
Many of your carb concerns can be answered in the orange save posts above about carb and their various parts. I'd assume you want new diaphragms to starts, that left side looks bad to me. The carb rebuild kit should include new o-rings to fit properly under the caps. It looks to me like that wood screw is where your vacuum port should be (due to the pics in the post I reffered you to). Idk what damage has been done to the carb from the screw, more pics of that may help the pros diagnose what may be a huge issue, or they'll let you know. As for electrical, leave it to the pros to help you.
Also clean those carbs good while they're off, make sure the jets are clear and the float needle in the rebuild kit are set. Take it from another noob, it's annoying to take them off and clean em more than once.
Hope others can be more help and get you on the road soon, good luck!!!

[solac3]

Does anyone know a good place to buy the carburetor diaphragms and top caps? I am hoping to get them for a good price.

Or maybe someone would want to sell me a donor set of carbs?

I got the the rebuild kit in the mail but it won't do any good with the top cap and diaphragm I have.

The other thing is the vent line on the air intake side of the carbs is missing (plastic part and hose) Will this need to be replaced also?

[GI JOE]

I've shopped around bike stores for decent sales, but heard others talk of bikebandit.com I think.

If youre referring to the t-junction between the carbs at the top, I'd say yes replace it. There seems to be issues when crosswinds hit the hose causing a stumble. I can only imagine what issues could arise from not having it. Don't take my word for it as I'm still learning from the pros, but my normal action would be to make it how it should be.

[solac3]

There seems to be issues when crosswinds hit the hose causing a stumble. I can only imagine what issues could arise from not having it.

Okay, I will add that to the parts I need.

Thanks so much for your input so far!

[GI JOE]

Yea I've seen where member have talked of a "cross wind stumble" for wind blowing into the carb vent.

As I said I'm no pro but I'd do what needs to be done so it's the way it was made.

[Gorilla]

I also have a "wonky" diaphragm almost the same as his post. Is this something that should be replaced?

[mustangGT90210]

Diaphragms are $28 a piece thru suzuki themselves.

[cbrfxr67]

Welcome!  Good job on posting pics!

I'd just shop around for what I needed.  Ronayers has good pricing but they ship slow.

sub'd to check out your progress!