HELP... bike just shuts off during idle!

[willie1321]

Hey guys! I need a little help and tips from you experienced gs500 owners out there. I picked up a 90 gs500 with 2000 miles for $750. I had a shop do $700 worth of work on it to get it running perfectly. They rebuilt the carbs and synced them, did a valve job on it, replaced the petcock, and a few other little things. It ran beautifully for about 2 weeks and now it has this issue where it'll randomly shut of if it idles for 15-25 seconds. It idles great anywhere between 1200-1500 rpms depending on the temp. It doesn't hesitate or bog down, it doesn't give any sort of warning it'll just shut off. Like you just hit the kill switch. And it'll start right back up after it happens. When I come to a stop light I have to rev it to 2k rpms every 10 seconds or so, this keeps its from shutting off. The rpms don't drop, I just rev it a little because it won't shut off if I do. When actually riding it gives me no issues at all and runs as it should. I have no idea what would cause it to just randomly shut off with giving no indication. Could it be fuel lines, or spark plugs, or stator? Thanks for any ideas and or help! I really appreciate it!

[Soloratov]

If it were plugs or fuel, you would most likely notice something elsewhere in the throttle range.

it doesn't give any sort of warning it'll just shut off. Like you just hit the kill switch.

Have you checked the voltage while it's idling, and is this ALWAYS when it idles? You might have a short somewhere. Check the wiring around the bars (kill switch, ignition), and check the side stand switch/wires. Any chance you could get a video of it?

[willie1321]

Its always when its idling. Never a single issue when the throttle is on. Which is why I don't believe its a wiring issue but it still could be? No hesitation, sputtering or anything. It seems like it'll miss or skip sometimes when its idling if that makes sense. But rpms never drop. I can try and get a video of it later but I haven't taken one yet. Thanks for your help!

[willie1321]

I just took it out on an hour ride and it did it at two stop lights but of course when I come home and try to get a video of it, it won't do it haha. I tried for 15-20 minutes to get it to happen and pretty much killed my phone battery and it idled perfectly of course. Its so random when it happens. I'll keep trying to get a video of it doing it

[slipperymongoose]

Maybe just wind your idle screw up slightly

[Soloratov]

Ok, that's what I meant by ALWAYS. I was wondering if it was every time it idled or just did it every once in a while.

I know you said it starts right up afterwards, so I assume you aren't turning it off then back on to start it up. If all the electrics are still on, (headlight, brake light, signals, dash lights), then I would say no on the wiring too. The fact that it is happening at a stop light...and I know this sounds like a jerk idea, but...you sure you aren't kicking the side stand slightly when you bring your foot down? The fact that it is intermittent, couldn't purposely recreate it, and it ONLY happens when you are coming to a stop makes me think thats possible. I know on this bike, at least for me, the sidestand is right where I want to drop my feet sometimes and I could see it being easy to knock it enough to make the switch trip. Unless you tell me you are in Neutral pulling up to the light.

Just another idea I had. Would rather it be an easy "duh" moment than a fix.

[fetor56]

What did the shop say?.....they performed the work so they should know exactly what they did.

[willie1321]

Haha u didn't sound like a jerk! No its not that either. It still does it on occasion when the kickstand is down and in neutral. Its a really weird fluke problem haha.

and I originally turned the  idle screw a tad too. That was my original quick fix too. Turned it from 1300 up to 1500 at running temp. It didn't solve it.

and I called the shop. That was my first thought.  They said they had no idea unless I brought it to them. And since I already paid them 700 and they are an hour away I decided to try and trouble shoot on here. I picked a terrible shop. Bunch of jerks and I feel they are undereducated.

thanks for all the responses!

[fetor56]

incorrect post