Bike wont go over 45mph! Help! need to fix asap!

[Big Rich]

No problem on my end, sir. Just wanted to make sure you're approaching everything the best way possible.

In regards to gas in the airbox: there is a "normal" amount that gets in there. But that's just from the carbs spitting a little bit, and a water / gas vapor mix that liquidates inside the box. If you ever get a constant leak from the drain hose, there are problems.

I can't remember, but if you have a stock intake / exhaust system there really isn't a whole lot to adjust in the carbs. The float level will need checked and adjusted, along with your fuel / air mixture screws (unless you have the stock intake / exhaust mentioned previously),  and they should be synchronized. Some carbs work their way out of sync, some carbs don't, but it's good to do it and make sure they are good.

[garyg199]

Cool Rich . Thanks I appreciate it a lot. Definitely wanna learn fun bags bike inside out because like you said it a big middle between my legs and I understand the danger involved.

I'm pretty sure everything is all stock. Parts have definitely been changed for maintenance purposes and there's obviously been some modifications done to the wiring which is why I can't figure out why my indicator cluster isn't working. (Which I'd really like to fix as well). Anyway. I checked the floats..they're good and at the right heights. Cleaned the bowls etc. You think I should just hook it all Back up and let her run and it'll be good? That would be awesome because it sucks not being able to ride it at it's full potential!

Thanks again bud!

[Big Rich]

Yeah.....that's tough for me to say. A quick blasting with carb cleaner and rinsing out the bowls / gas tank should get you riding around with little issues. But to get the bike back to 100%, fun all the time? I'd plan on doing a really thorough clean up and overall maintenance.

The good news: once you get EVERYTHING back within spec and cleaned up, you shouldn't have any problems for a looooonnnng time (as long as maintenance is kept up......).

[garyg199]

Hey Rich ...

Thanks for that first off cuz I've been pretty worried like I said. I got everything back together right but I'm worried about getting her started after having everything pulled out. She used to start right up unless the battery was dead of course and even though I didn't try to hard she just kept cranking. Eventually after about four times my battery died and I put her away out of frustration.

This is normal right? I read that it's gonna take some time and some cranking to get her to start up after having everything out? Is there any tricks or tips you could let me in on? Anything else I'm supposed to do street reassembly?

Thanks again!

[Big Rich]

You'll need to set the petcock to "prime" first, or else the float bowls will be dry. I don't know how long, or even where it's at (notice I don't have a GS500.....). And make sure the choke lever is down too.

[garyg199]

Okay cool yeah I primed it...know there's gas in the floats cuz I opened the bowl drain a tad to see. Um by having the choke down you mean fully engaged correct?

Is it in fact normal for the bike to take a while to start? Have you ever experienced this? And if so about how long did it take for it to eventually turn over?*

[Big Rich]

Your choke circuit (actually a fuel enrichment circuit) or pilot jets might still be clogged. With clean carbs and a strong battery....and everything else up to spec......it should fire up within seconds.

Unless your valves are tight? That will make it hard to start too.

[garyg199]

Hmmm well I'm not to sure about the choke circuit. Didn't get to much into that yet but I do know my battery is weak. Also I forgot to mention that before I even took the carbs out I pulled the right spark plug and it had a good amount of that carbon "soot" on it. Totally forgot about them and I wanted to change them too. I'll charge my battery for a while and get some new plugs...hopefully that'll help start up .

Speaking of plugs...the wire that was on said plug I pulled seemed to be just sorta sitting on top of it . It looks like the plug is supposed to be scrrewed into the plug as well as screwed into the bike. Is that right? Or can the wires just rest on top and in a way "snap" on to the top?

[garyg199]

So the throttle side float bowl isn't draining gas so I'm guessing it's not getting any.also gonna guys that it's why it won't start now too?

Why wouldn't that side be getting fuel if the left side is? I'm so confused could I have mixed up hoses?

[garyg199]

I did it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I got the b@!#$ to start!!

Now I just hope that I solved my problem and could go faster then friggin 35 ha!!

Wish me luck!