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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: elkapower on October 08, 2005, 10:45:16 AM

Title: Hard Starting 1980 GS550E
Post by: elkapower on October 08, 2005, 10:45:16 AM
Well being new to the board, where do I start.
After rebuilding the carbs, the ones with the plug on top hiding the air fuel mixture screws that get frozen in, all parts are new and rebuilt. Have dialed the bike in with an IV gas bottle, put the tank on, won't start.

So, rebuild the petcock valve, nothing insanely wrong, just a small bleeder hole plugged, it's together, still won't start.
Full choke on, nothing; choke off, nothing.
Engine turns over, sometimes after choking it, waiting 2 -3 hours, she might catch and fire, but most often, won't stay running. javascript:emoticon(':dunno:')
It has to be the valve, haven't balanced the carbs since I can't get it to stay running. Is there an aftermarket petcock solution to this piece of s*#t.
Help, want to ride this girl.
Thanks for any suggestions, heard of many others having this problem, never a salient solution that I haven't already tried.
Title: Hard Starting 1980 GS550E
Post by: scratch on October 08, 2005, 11:12:35 AM
Welcome,

Most common prob has been pinching the fuel or vacuum lines when putting the gastank back on. Try opening the gascap, too.
Title: Hard starting 1980 GS550E
Post by: elkapower on October 09, 2005, 08:55:33 AM
A pinched tube would be so sweet, but not that simple I fear, have been thru the easy stuff, and the carbs have been off multiple times, such a pain. Has anyone had experience with a pingel shutoff as a cure?
Title: Re: Hard Starting 1980 GS550E
Post by: scratch on October 09, 2005, 02:29:31 PM
Quote from: elkapowerHave dialed the bike in with an IV gas bottle, put the tank on, won't start.

So, rebuild the petcock valve, nothing insanely wrong, just a small bleeder hole plugged, it's together, still won't start.

It has to be the valve,

Thanks for any suggestions, heard of many others having this problem, never a salient solution that I haven't already tried.

I think you've already answered your own question, but did you check fuel flow to the float bowls? In the On position? In Prime? In Off or Reserve?
Title: Hard Starting 1980 GS550E
Post by: JamesG on October 10, 2005, 03:34:40 AM
Clarify:
The bike ran fine with a pony fuel tank?

The bike won't run *at all* with the bike's gas tank installed? Not even for a little while after putting it on?
Title: Hard Starting 1980 GS550E
Post by: Blueknyt on October 10, 2005, 04:30:27 AM
yeah, was gonna say even with tank /vavle messed up, should still fireup with whats left in bowls from IV tank