GS500F seems to run out of fuel... or something!

[Baldric61]

Hi guys,
I'm an older (new) rider, and I just bought a 2007 GS500F. Trouble is, on the way home the bike seemed like it was running out of petrol, and in the end it just conked out. It restarted, but only travelled a dozen or so metres before it died again. I took it for another ride yesterday and it ran well for about a kilometre, then it started to fade away again. What's going on?

[ShowBizWolf]

Hi Baldric61, welcome to the forum!

This is gonna sound really silly BUT bear with me... have you filled up the tank since you started having problems? I remember seeing a fair amount of posts where the level of fuel in the GS's tank is deceiving. Easiest thing to try first!

I fell prey to this myself when I first bought my bike. I thought I had plenty of fuel left and I didn't. The petcock on the frame was in the on position and a flip to reserve would have gotten me home at that time... but I didn't know that then. Total noob, I know 

Now I know to keep a good eye on my miles and I usually let my bike get to the reserve level (I'll be mid-ride and reach down to flip to reserve when it starts to sputter out) and head to a gas station as soon as possible.

If it isn't that, I'm sure others will be along to ask for more information about the bike's history and give you some ideas as to what's going on! 

[marcusk]

Yep I did the same thing on my first ride I only got 3 km from home and it stopped on me.  Flick to reserve and I was away. 

[bmf]

+1 for low gas/reserve, also Try running it on prime incase there is a problem with the vacum not opening the petcock correctly.
Enjoy the bike.
Bmf

[Big Rich]

If it isn't a low fuel problem, check into any vacuum related problems. Fuel tank vent, carb vent, etc.

[Janx101]

And in case you are wondering,  most of these bikes have a whopping 5litre reserve level! ... you peer into the tank and can SEE fuel sloshing around..., must be plenty!...

It has caught many MANY new owners out!

[1N23456]

Another thing you might check out - the previous owner of my 2008 installed a secondary inline fuel filter between the petcock and carbs.  It made for some exciting out-of-gas symptoms as it got slightly clogged and reduced the fuel pressure enough so the carbs wouldn't stay full while running.  At times, even with a full tank, I could only ride a mile or two, then it would run out, then after 5 minutes sitting there it would start right back up.  Took out the filter and it's never happened again.

[Joolstacho]

Rap it on the head with a spoon Baldric,
(It may not help but you'll feel better for it!)

[Baldric61]

Thanks guys! I'll try all those today!