Stalls every time I have to stop

[bogdan.laurentiu]

Hi all,
Bike is a 2005 GS500F.
Having some problems with it:
Every red light/stop sign it dies. The moment I pull the clutch & start breaking it dies.
Then I gotta put it in N and start it again.
I took the carbs out & they are really clean.
Somebody said I might have a bad vacuum hose - but can't find anything online as to which one is the vacuum hose.
Also, barely started today.. with choke or without choke.. was running for a bit & die after 30-60 seconds.

Anyone else went through this..? Any advise is appreciated, just simplify it for the new guy here

[grader]

the pilot jets supply fuel for idle, they are the long jets that look like a tube with holes drilled in the side of them. remove them, hold them up to a light, and verify they are clean. if you dont see a round hole looking through them, clean them. also set the idle speed to about 1300 to 1500 rpm when the engine is warm. there is a large screw under carbs that aims up, turn by hand, no tools needed.

[mr72]

the pilot jets supply fuel for idle, they are the long jets that look like a tube with holes drilled in the side of them.

huh? I think you might have pilot jets confused with something else, like, maybe, emulsion tubes. A GS500 pilot jet is a very small brass part that looks not unlike a short brass flat-head screw with a hole through the middle.

if you dont see a round hole looking through them, clean them.

Pilot jets in a GS are so tiny they are very difficult to clean properly and even a very small amount of varnish inside them will dramatically reduce their effective size. Just replace them. They're like $7 for a pair.

also set the idle speed to about 1300 to 1500 rpm when the engine is warm. there is a large screw under carbs that aims up, turn by hand, no tools needed.

Or, set it like the factory manual says at 1100 rpm using the pilot needle (mixture) adjustment when it's fully warmed. If you just use the throttle stop knob to set the idle to 1500 rpm then you will be right back here in just a few weeks asking about how to fix "hanging idle" and then someone will tell you that it's running lean at idle and send you into the wrong rabbit hole.

Do this:
https://joshkarnes.blogspot.com/2017/09/fixing-common-gs500-carburetor-issues.html

If that doesn't fix everything that's running wrong, then at least you will have ruled out the most likely issues and we can get down to business.

BTW the reason your bike is dying at stop lights and is hard to start is most likely either clogged pilot jets or very low compression which might be due to insufficient valve clearance. If you have failed to install a vacuum hose or cap where one belongs or you have a gross vacuum leak then that can cause this too, along with having worn intake boot o-rings or a cracked intake boot. But if you follow my guide above then you will fix everything related to vacuum and o-rings and mixture and clogged jets etc. and you can also do a valve clearance check while the tank is off just to be real sure that it's not valve clearances. Why diagnose when it's like $30-50 and half a Saturday to just refresh everything?

[grader]

the mid and main jets are short with the hole in the middle. the pilots are longer and have holes in the side  at the bottom. as for idle speed, mine is up at 1400, smooth and works for me.

[bogdan.laurentiu]

Is there any way to check the vacuum..?
also, someone suggested I spray break cleaner around hoses connections & stuff.. and if rpm goes up that's the leak... is that safe?

[Bluesmudge]

Sounds like tight valve clearance. When was the last time you checked the valve clearances? Suzuki recommends every 4,000 miles.

[herennow]

Does it idle normally when you first start it and then warm it up? I'm thinking idle set to low (before bike was fully warmed), or maybe wonky sidestand switch Kickin in when slowing down.

[mr72]

the mid and main jets are short with the hole in the middle. the pilots are longer and have holes in the side  at the bottom.

Yes sorry I was thinking the mk1 carbs. I still say if you remove the pilot jets always fit new ones, the 0.175mm jets will clog so easily.

[Watcher]

Is there any way to check the vacuum..?
also, someone suggested I spray break cleaner around hoses connections & stuff.. and if rpm goes up that's the leak... is that safe?

No.

Brake cleaner will destroy rubber and plastic.

It'll find the leak, but may cause further problems down the line.


A harmless product that behaves the same way is WD40, if you don't mind cleaning the mess, or a spray bottle mist of water (does the opposite, will cause a stall)

This is all assuming the bike will idle.


Follow Mr72's advice