Bike dies when off choke.

[Newbie817]

So I have an 08 gs500f and this is my first bike. I'm getting it ready to ride after winter storage (a little late I know...). But the bike dies when I take it off the choke. So I'm assuming it's the carb? Is there anyway I can feed seafoam into it without having to take the carb out? I'm afraid to take it out and ruin something.

Thanks!

[grader]

pilot jets are probably plugged. if you can put a good dose of seafoam in the tank and drive it for a few hundred miles it might clean up. seafoam will only work if it can travel through a partially plugged jet and clean it. if its plugged solid it wont help. go to youtube and look for gs500 carb clean, its easy when you see it, step by step.

[Lbx!]

I have your back! I just did this on my GS500F (2009). A few words of advice MARK YOUR BLOODY HOSES! Also, lube is not a bad thing. Use the silicon spray where directed. Trust me. I am waiting on another one of those plastic parts at the top of the carbs because I broke mine. Like an idiot. I am hoping the salvage yard has one because i don't want to pay $90 + shipping for one. (see also my wanted add that is going up shortly)
Here is the carb cleaning video

[HPP8140]

Man people love to dismantle carbs here.

Do simple things first. Good thing is that it starts, so ride it around the neighborhood for a bit to see if things loosen up after sitting....sometimes that is enough, then use mild fuel cleaner through the tank.

[Newbie817]

The thing is I don't want to take the carb out/apart lol. I'm just trying to get it up and running. Should I just add seafoam to the tank? Is there no way I can feed it through a vacuum or something? If it's accessible?

Thanks for the advice fellas!

[Weedy64]

Nope, add half a bottle of Seafoam($10)  to tank, ride it a bit, let it sit overnight, ride it again etc.  Seafoam will remove the fuel nasties from the tank and complete fuel system...maybe even your plugged jets, but dont be surprised that it  takes  more than that.

Hopefully your fuel was treated before winter? otherwise maybe drain it and run it in yur car instead to get rid of it.
Next time use non-alcohol fuel and gas treatment before winter.

Good luck

[Newbie817]

Nope, add half a bottle of Seafoam($10)  to tank, ride it a bit, let it sit overnight, ride it again etc.  Seafoam will remove the fuel nasties from the tank and complete fuel system...maybe even your plugged jets, but dont be surprised that it  takes  more than that.

Hopefully your fuel was treated before winter? otherwise maybe drain it and run it in yur car instead to get rid of it.
Next time use non-alcohol fuel and gas treatment before winter.

Good luck

But I shouldn't ride it when it's on choke right? It dies when I cut it off.

[SirHansford]

since you're wanting to try a cleaner in the tank first before having to dismantle the carbs,   and if you're in the US,   i noticed that Wally World has sea foam on sale atm for 6 bucks.  it's usually 11 at most auto parts store.  just thought i'd toss that out there.  good luck!

[mr72]

But I shouldn't ride it when it's on choke right? It dies when I cut it off.

The choke just adds enrichment, I don't see why it's a big problem to ride it with the choke "on". In fact I think many here will ride their GSs on choke before they are fully warmed up, and gradually take it off choke during the first few minutes of riding. I don't see why you couldn't do the same.

However if your pilot jets are clogged, I think it's unlikely it'll ever really be "right" by running seafoam or B12 or whatever mixed in the gas. I know everyone recommends that but if you really can't run off choke, then I'd say the pilots are probably totally clogged and you're best off just changing them to a new set of 40s, particularly if they are still 37.5s. They are inexpensive and the job is not hard. Plus once you get the carbs off and the float bowls off, it's a good time to replace the float o-rings... and you can easily see if the slides are moving as expected, etc. You might even decide you want to rejet to larger main jets while it's open.

One word of warning though, if you do this and you DON'T pull the tops off of the carbs and take the diaphragms out, then DO NOT spray carb cleaner in there. It will do a number on the rubber diaphragms. If you are JUST changing the pilot jet or rejetting, then do only that and put it back together. If it ain't broke, so they say, or you need to go all the way and remove all rubber parts from the carb before spraying carb cleaner.

[Atesz792]

+1 on riding a few minutes with choke on (idle set to ~2k RPM with choke lever) before tearing it apart.

My GS didn't want to stay running when the valves were tight. Also when my battery was dying. Maybe consider those options too. You charged the battery right? Even better, kept it charged while sitting?

[Newbie817]

+1 on riding a few minutes with choke on (idle set to ~2k RPM with choke lever) before tearing it apart.

My GS didn't want to stay running when the valves were tight. Also when my battery was dying. Maybe consider those options too. You charged the battery right? Even better, kept it charged while sitting?

Yes, I did change the battery.