05 GS500F Not running right around 2K rpm.

[rlpierce04]

I picked up an 05 GS500F with 7500 miles on it not too long ago for a good deal. It had simple electrical issues that prevented it from running. I got those sorted out and got it running, but it hadn't been ran in over a year. It was running really rough, so I got some k&l carb kits and cleaned the carbs out. Drained most of the old fuel, replaced fuel lines. It runs MUCH better now, but when reving it up, at about 2k it drops like it's misfiring or something. If I Try to hold the throttle at 2k, it won't stay steady. Just keeps dropping and going back up. Once it's past 2k it runs great. This is my first bike and I'm not a mechanic. I don't know how these things work, but I'm good with tools and can figure out problems once I know how most everything works. I'm just hoping someone can point me in the right direction as to what to look at or try, so I can possibly ride this thing before it gets cold. Thanks!

[Jimbob]

Have you done anything else to the bike? If it were me and the bike had been sitting for over a year I would probably put new oil in and replace the spark plugs as well

[rlpierce04]

Forgot to mention that. Yes, I put new spark plugs in. Oil change hasn't happened yet, but I have everything to do that.

[1034am]

Check the valves? (clearances)

[The Buddha]

0-1/8 throttle = pilot jet. What load, what throttle position ? Jetting isn't related to rpm, its related to throttle position.

Yea yea check the valves, and make sure you don't have one of those breakaway model, chinese special shims in there, but lean on pilot is my guess.

You could try 1/2 turn out on air screw but if its idling fine, you could screw that up. Ideally you want to go to a 20 pilot.

Might as well jet the thing, 20/132.5 would sort it out nicely and have you riding on the day where is -30 - you'll freeze, it wont.

Cool.
Buddha.

[Watcher]

Might as well jet the thing, 20/132.5 would sort it out nicely and have you riding on the day where is -30 - you'll freeze, it wont.

Cool.
Buddha.

20?  I thought 40 pilots were the norm.

I've got 40s and 130s in mine, runs brilliant, especially in cold.

20 seems too small to me.  Wouldn't you want them to be fatter for cold weather anyway?



I'll agree it sounds like a jetting/fuel-air problem.  Does it do the same thing when warmed up AND cold?  Does it idle ok?

[rlpierce04]

I haven't checked the valves. That's a new one for me. I give it a try this weekend along with the jetting. Can you pickup shims at motorcycle shops or will I have to order them online?

It seems to idle fine. It's when I give it a little bit of throttle (1/8 seems about right) that it starts to get to 2k and then drops down. It does it whether is warmed up or cold. I thought it might be because it was cold so I ran it for awhile and it still had the same problem.

[1034am]

Setting the valve clearances will help establish a baseline. Then you'll be able to diagnose if still running rough.
A Suzuki dealership should have the shims (I've been using Bike Bandit.com)

There are some good videos regarding the valves, just google it.

Good luck!

[The Buddha]

Might as well jet the thing, 20/132.5 would sort it out nicely and have you riding on the day where is -30 - you'll freeze, it wont.

Cool.
Buddha.

20?  I thought 40 pilots were the norm.

I've got 40s and 130s in mine, runs brilliant, especially in cold.

20 seems too small to me.  Wouldn't you want them to be fatter for cold weather anyway?



I'll agree it sounds like a jetting/fuel-air problem.  Does it do the same thing when warmed up AND cold?  Does it idle ok?

Pilots depends on the year. 89-00 were 40 non bleeds. 01+ was 20 VM style. That's what we swap it to, originals are 1 size down.
Cool.
Buddha.

[Watcher]

Might as well jet the thing, 20/132.5 would sort it out nicely and have you riding on the day where is -30 - you'll freeze, it wont.

Cool.
Buddha.

20?  I thought 40 pilots were the norm.

I've got 40s and 130s in mine, runs brilliant, especially in cold.

20 seems too small to me.  Wouldn't you want them to be fatter for cold weather anyway?



I'll agree it sounds like a jetting/fuel-air problem.  Does it do the same thing when warmed up AND cold?  Does it idle ok?

Pilots depends on the year. 89-00 were 40 non bleeds. 01+ was 20 VM style. That's what we swap it to, originals are 1 size down.
Cool.
Buddha.

Oh, is that for the 3 jet carb?

[The Buddha]

89-00 are 2 jet, 01+ is 3 jet (of course needle and float level and air screws are all methods of metering it as well) so a 89-00 has 5 things you can alter and an 01+ has 6 ... more if you count choking it via air filter or the stock corked up exhaust.
Cool.
Buddha.