I searched thoughout the site to see if anyone had similar problems with their GS, but I haven't found anything.
I have a 1995 GS500E that I have had for about a year and a half. When I first got it everything was great, then I had to leave the bike for a while. It sat outside under a non-waterproof cover for about 4 months. When I got it back I did some maintenence on it, and all was good for about 2 months. Then one day I was riding down a back road at about 55mph when it seemed to run out of gas and die. This was news to me because I had only travelled about 100 miles on my tank, so it should have had plenty of gas. I coasted to a safe spot and flipped the petcock to reserve. It started no problem and I was able to drive it for about another mile. It then died again in much the same way. I rocked the bike back and forth and sure enough there was plenty of gas in the tank. I did a quick visual inspection and everything seemed in order. Got back on the bike and it started up no problem. I was able to go about another 1/2 mile before it died again. At this point it left me at a safe spot, about 1/4 of a mile from my GF's house, so I just put the kickstand down and walked to her house, and got the help I needed to push it up the hill the rest of the way. It was dark by this point.
So the next morning (this is a weekend) I went and got 2 gallons of premium and topped it off. It started up with no problems, had no leaks, and idled just like normal. Weird. So I put on my helmet and gloves and get ready to head the 5 or so miles back home. I get on the bike and ride away like normal. Not even 500 feet down her street the bike sputters and dies, just like the day before. I pushed it back to her house and there it sat until I could cash in a favor and have a friend put it in his truck to take it to my house.
I took the carbs apart and the main jets were not clogged. There was some crap in the float bowls that I cleaned out, but besides that everything seemed to be in good shape. (This was my first time taking any carb apart, so I may have missed something, but I was quite meticulous and observant with dis- and reassembly.) Anyways, I put everything back together with help from this site.
It pretty much started right up and idled just fine. When I went to rev it things looked and sounded good. When I gave it a quick burst of WOT thats when I noticed the hesitation that was never there before it first died. It was a bit sluggish at first, then went up without problems. I decided I would take it for a quick test ride. This time, maybe since it was running for about 20 minutes, but it only got about 100 feet before it just died on me. Apply constant throttle in first gear to go about 15 mph down my street, then all the sudden it lurches, makes a put put put sound and then died. I pushed it back and came to post here. I can still see the fuel in the lines, so I don't think that is the problem.
Anyways, I tried to solve this myself, but now I'm here to ask for help. I can give more symptoms if that is needed, and figure I will probably have to take the carbs apart again to check any ideas you guys have. Anything to get my bike running right again.
Thanks for your help, and sorry for making this so long. It was good to rant a while.
-Mike
First thing that comes to mind is the petcock and tank filter...something's wrong preventing an adequate amount of fuel getting to the bowls. You use it faster than it's delivered and bam...run out of fuel, so to speak. I've had this happen once...but I can't saw this is your problem for certain. I would pull the tank off and give the petcock a good inspection, and maybe replace it.
i would also check the air/fuel mixture screws. since u say that when u give it wot it hesitates, that is a sign that the mixture is too rich. this could also cause your carbs to be flooded with fuel and thus prevent adequate firing from the spark plugs. check their coloer after riding for however long u can. just a suggestion though. also i hope u didn't lose any of those little o-ringswhen taking the carbs apart. good luck!
~facio
Welcome!
It sounds like you still have to clean out the idle circuits in the carburetors. Take the carbs all the way apart, and use the thin red tube that comes with some carb cleaners and stuff it into some of the holes and make sure it squirts out the other end of that hole. :) Cheers!
Quote from: facio57 on February 07, 2006, 05:39:32 PM
i would also check the air/fuel mixture screws. since u say that when u give it wot it hesitates, that is a sign that the mixture is too rich. this could also cause your carbs to be flooded with fuel and thus prevent adequate firing from the spark plugs. check their coloer after riding for however long u can. just a suggestion though. also i hope u didn't lose any of those little o-ringswhen taking the carbs apart. good luck!
You mean lean, right? His pilot jets are still clogged.
Now, as far as the loss of fuel supply, I'd agree with Makenzie, try running in PRIme. And, make sure the vacuum hose is connected to the petcock from the left carb. If this is a California model, the charcoal canister might be plugged. Also, check to make sure the tank is venting; the next time it dies on ya, get close to the gascap and open it; you are listening for the inrush of air. But, there should be a way to check airflow (blow/suck on a hose that comes from the tank (not the fuel hose)).
Quote from: makenzie71 on February 07, 2006, 05:34:22 PM
First thing that comes to mind is the petcock and tank filter...something's wrong preventing an adequate amount of fuel getting to the bowls. You use it faster than it's delivered and bam...run out of fuel, so to speak. I've had this happen once...but I can't saw this is your problem for certain. I would pull the tank off and give the petcock a good inspection, and maybe replace it.
I originally thought this was the problem too, but I wasn't certain what to be looking for as far as the petcock goes. I took the tank off and then opened the petcock over my gas can and it seemed to pour out just fine. Is there a check or anything else I should be doing with either petcock, and with the filter?
Also, I will be taking everything back apart tomorrow. Scratch, I hooked up the vacuum hose just like this website showed. I'll check tomorrow to make sure the tank is venting. That was one thing a buddy suggested, but we didn't know how to test it. Are you talking about blowing/sucking on the small line that goes to the bottom of the tank? How freely should the air flow, and does the cap need to be on and tight to test it out?
Thanks for the responses.
SOUNDS LIKE RUST FROM THE TANK TO ME.
EVEN IF IT ISN'T I'D INVEST IN A FUEL FILTER.
JUST MY 2 CENTS.
GOOD LUCK :thumb:
Quote from: SloRider on February 07, 2006, 07:06:51 PM
I originally thought this was the problem too, but I wasn't certain what to be looking for as far as the petcock goes. I took the tank off and then opened the petcock over my gas can and it seemed to pour out just fine. Is there a check or anything else I should be doing with either petcock, and with the filter?
But, did you actually look into the tank at the in-tank fuel filter? You may need a flashlight, and y'know to look in the direction of where the shut-off petcock is located.
Quote from: SloRider on February 07, 2006, 07:06:51 PMScratch, I hooked up the vacuum hose just like this website showed. I'll check tomorrow to make sure the tank is venting. That was one thing a buddy suggested, but we didn't know how to test it. Are you talking about blowing/sucking on the small line that goes to the bottom of the tank? How freely should the air flow, and does the cap need to be on and tight to test it out?
Yes. Don't suck if it's full of gas (and be prepared to suck fumes if you try to inhale anyway. bleh). It should flow freely. Oh, wait, that goes through the tank; that is the gascap drain (to drain away rainwater that collects there). The only other way I can think of to test the cap is to drain it and blow on one of the lines (plug the other with your finger).
Another way to test it would be light a small fire inside the tank and see.... oh wait. Yea, don't try that one.
How about plug the gas tubes, and stick some alka seltzer in some water. It will produce gas, and pressureize the tank. Then unplug a gas tube and see if it has pressure.
*I didn't read the thread, just skimed; so take this advice with some nod and smile.