Buying a 2004 GS500F, need some suggestions

[pcguru000]

Looking at this 04' GS500F, The bike has 9000 miles on it- new stuff, tires, all around- everything looked in tip top shape... it ran very well and I was impressed with it's handling Great bike!

BUT! (of course) it's got a couple issues, primarily- it stalls when coming to a stop... not every time but it seems like 70% of the time it will just die abruptly. It does fire straight back up- no resting the key or kill-switch, just run the starter and your back running.

-Owner says hes been dealing with this for a while- took it to a shop who synced the carbs and re-jetted... guessing with a new jet (not a larger one)

-He said they also tried bumping the idle screw up a bit- but it began "surging".

-While checking it out I bumped the choke on to see if that would help, the engine surged to 3500-4000 then steadily calmed down (without touching the choke)... weird?

It's not a major mechanical thing- the whole engine runs smooth, no ticks or knocks...

It DOES Idle just fine when you're sitting still- just the act of coming to a stop (clutch fully in/any gear) causes it to just stall out.

TL;DR I need some suggestions on why a 04 GS500F would be stalling when coming to a stop. Reading the above might help Thajks for all suggestions!

So given the above, my thoughts so far (things I haven't been able to check): -Battery loose? -Bad ground some where related to a safety or kill switch? -Improperly mounted tip/crash switch... Do these bikes have one? -Idle adjusted too low, maybe this just needs some tinkering with? -Some carb. issue I am not familiar with? -Dirty Airfilter? The bike had a little dust on it- perhaps there's a rat nest in there? haha.

Another detail The tach works intermittently as do the gauge back-lights... but this maybe a loose wire in the harness leading to the gauges, as moving them seemed to make things work spontaneously.

Thanks again!

Update- Purchased the bike, rode it all day. Frankly... it runs great. Sure it the revs droop a bit *occasionally* when stopping- sometimes leading to a stall if you aren't babysitting the throttle.

But this bike is AWESOME... jealous of her to be getting such a great machine, I love my SV650 but this GS is just a fantastic bike:
(http://i.imgur.com/ug31wYn.jpg)

Put a good 70 miles on it (maybe more) - ran it almost dry (30 miles or so on reserve sound like almost dry?)

Put fresh premium 93 in it- maybe this will help clean out the old stuff... regardless it's running like a champ.

[weedahoe]

My first thought believe it or not, pull the carbs, completely disassemble and clean them thoroughly

[cbrfxr67]

 

[Bluesmudge]

Sounds like the bike has gone 9000 miles without a valve clearance check. The bike has tight exhaust valves. A few hours of your time and a few bucks for new shims and it will be running great again.

[weedahoe]

Sounds like the bike has gone 9000 miles without a valve clearance check. The bike has tight exhaust valves. A few hours of your time and a few bucks for new shims and it will be running great again.

True, unbelievable as it is, most guys do not know basic maintenance like chain cleaning and lubing, chain tightening, valve specs, carb synch, ect

I ride with guys who has 1000cc+ bikes and dont know this

[pcguru000]

I had heard that tight exhaust valves could do this, and obviously the carb's could be a related issue too.. Really hoping it's just a yucky vaccum line or something  but since the PO claims the carbs were fully serviced, cleaned/re-jetted- and also, all the fuel hoses look brand new shiny clean, my bet is on the valve shims.

Thankfully the bike came with a FULL 2" thick service manual and also a 89-09 Hardback Haynes!

Two things- one, *how* are valves/shimming affected by the motorcycle coasting to a stop? The engine can be revved at a stand still and come back down to a *normal* idle- but when revving/rolling, and then stopping... it caves. I'm having trouble understanding the mechanics of the valves would be affected by this. (thanks ahead of time :>)

second thing is- where's a good place for shims? Ronayers?

[Bluesmudge]

I don't know why it happens. I just know that it does. I ride a simple machine and I don't ask questions. Your bike has tight exhaust valves, I can almost guarantee it. And the symptoms will only get worse if you continue to put miles on it without putting the valves in spec (ask me how I know  )-- which should be done every 4,000 miles.
Also if you go too long you will burn a valve.

[Bluesmudge]

See if your local suzuki or metric bike shop does shim swaps, or sells shims. That way you can get the shims you need the same day you open the bike up. Also, get the proper motion pro shim tool, its worth the money so that you don't get frustrated.