Hi, I have anoter post in this forum (http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=21879&highlight=stalling+valves+alngs500 ) describing a problem I had with my bike (GS500 '04) stalling. To summarise, the garage fixed my stalling bike by fixing the valves.
Anyhow, it runs great since I got it back, BUT, I've noticed that at about 8000RPM it starts to bottle out, this happens in 2nd through 5th (I haven't tried the oter two) . I hadn't really driven it hard until yesterday, but I really noticed it doing a trip + return journey today. The only way I can describe it, is that it feels like I have 'red lined' but when I take a look, it's only at 7/8k rpm.
What could this be, could it be connected to the other work my dealer (whom I am losing a lot of faith in) did. Actually now that I think of it, the engine has also started to behave a little funny at times. Now and then when it is idling I kind of hear a 'clunk', it doesn't sound ominous but it's as if something slipped into place. There might be two or three noises like this, consecutively, and it stops then.
Should I go back and mention these problems to the dealer?
Thanks for your expertise,
Alan
The clunk could be a slight case of Cam shaft side play.
search for that. It's not serious.
If the clunk isn;t coming from the cylinder head region then it's not this though.
Maybe a vacuum leak. If you take off the tank you may be able to see if the carbs are well seated in the boots. Check for anything that appears to be missing off the carbs. Boot clamps or the little caps used for sinking the carbs (they are on top - little black rubbery things), any unconnected hoses.
Maybe they screwed up your valve job. What did they supposedly fix anyway? Take it back to them if they will fix it for free. I wouldn't think an 04 would need any valve work but maybe it did.
Hi, The reason they went at the valves first was becuase the bike kept cutting out every time i released the throttle. I might go back out to them with this. Thanks.
OK , I changed my mind after reading your post about the stalling problem. Do not take your bike back to that place. Go to a different place, preferably one that a friend could recommend. They seem to be lying to you. One does not send out the valves to be shimmed. It's something you do on the bike after removing the valve cover.
I had the same stalling problem on a different bike (Kat 750). Turns out that it was the mixture screws turned out too far on the carbs. Do you think there's any chance that the previous owner of your bike was messing with the carbs?
What was happening with mine was that it was running too rich. It would run Ok for a few minutes and then once the engine warmed up more (thus making even more rich mixture) it would run really rough and stall quite a bit. I turned up the idle speed and that helped a bit. The real solution was to adjust the mixture screws to the right position. Once this was done, and I re-adjusted the idle speed, it idled great and had no further problems with stalling.
Who knows what they've done to your bike but maybe all they did was adjust your idle speed.
Search on this site for "mixture screws" and you should find something helpfull. Idle speed is adjusted by turning the 1/2" diameter knobby thing underneath the carbs.
Can you remove one of your spark plugs? If it is all black then you are running too rich.
:thumb:
Hi Rob,
Thanks for the info. The bike is running fine since I got it back from the garage. I have a feeling that they lied about the shimming because A) they knew I haven't a clue, B) to cover themselves for keeping it for a fortnight. But the stalling has stopped completely, they certainly fixed whatever it was that making it cut out all the time, albeit it took 3 attempts.
I'm skint at the mo, so I am going to have to bring it back to them, they have been fair about my warranty so far - so that will be the cheapest route.
About the previous owner, I'm not sure - I always wondered why he sold it after 8 months, it was never taxed, it had little mileage - but he hadn't looked after the paintwork. I don't know anymore about him really.
Since the stalling has stopped and been replaced by the 'baulking' at 7/8000 RPM, does the advice about the sparkplugs and idle still stand?
Thanks again,
Al
Yes, it'll still give us an idea how the bike is running.
Yeah, it only takes two minutes to pull a plug on a GS. Remember when putting it back in, put in hand tight and then tighten only 1/4 turn or less.
What? :o I am not suppose to use a 2 foot long cheater bar to get it really tight? :lol:
You know, thoes things get hot. Use gloves! :thumb:
Burned fingers suck.
:lol: I'll get stuck in gloves 'n all!