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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: Mitch on May 26, 2006, 06:14:38 AM

Title: Issues with an 01 GS500
Post by: Mitch on May 26, 2006, 06:14:38 AM
I bought the bike last weekend.  Rode it and everything was fine, the seller said it had been sitting for a while.

For the last 3 days I've been riding it around the neiborhood to get used to it.  I decided last night to change the oil, which was a good thing cause the oil in it was black as heck.  Well i get all that finished and goto start it and go for a ride.  The bike has some issues turning over, kinda like the battery is dead, and the head light is dim, but it does start.  Let it idle for ~3-4 minutes to warm up while i put on my gear.  I pull in the clutch and shift it into gear and the bike dies.  Thinking maybe the clutch is out of adjustment I go threw the proccess described in the manual for adjusting the clutch cable.  Get done start it up, warm up, same thing,  Shift into first and it dies.  But now when i try to restart it it acts like the starter doesn't have enough juice to turn it over.  So i push it down the drive way and pop it(throw it into gear drop the clutch).  Went for a 30 minute ride everything was fine.  Get back home take out the battery and all the chambers are low on water, fill them with distilled water.  This morning I threw the battery back in, start it and go for a ride.  Get home turn it off decide to try and restart it, it SLOWLY starts and when i shift in into first it dies.

Question: Would a low/dead battery cause the bike to die when shifted into first from neutral?

Thanks, and sorry for the spelling.
Title: Re: Issues with an 01 GS500
Post by: Wrecent_Wryder on May 26, 2006, 06:22:33 AM
[b
Title: Re: Issues with an 01 GS500
Post by: Mitch on May 26, 2006, 06:28:49 AM
Hmm....I may have had the kickstand down :icon_rolleyes: .  I'm picking up a new battery on the way home tonight.  Hopefully that's it.

Thanks for the info, didn't know about the kick stand thing.  Thanks.
Title: Re: Issues with an 01 GS500
Post by: domas on May 26, 2006, 07:44:25 AM
Remember not to overfill oli  :nono:. Check the oil while bike is warm after ride (wait 5 mins not to burn fingers). If it is above F level, suck some out. Best to check oil on the centerstand.
Title: Re: Issues with an 01 GS500
Post by: Mitch on May 26, 2006, 08:23:40 AM
that was another odd thing.  The How-To page says 3 quarts are enough,  It took me 4 to get to the full line. 
Title: Re: Issues with an 01 GS500
Post by: Queso on May 26, 2006, 08:38:30 AM
I solved several issues on my bike by getting a new battery. Just make sure you check that the new battery has the right kind of posts on it.
Title: Re: Issues with an 01 GS500
Post by: hmmmnz on May 26, 2006, 08:38:53 AM
some of it would have gone into the filter, but also i would have been cold, so the oil wouldnt have expanded to the higher level, after you have been for a ride and gotten the bike warm come back and see how high the level is, let it sit for 5mins before you do to let the oil settle,
Title: Re: Issues with an 01 GS500
Post by: Mitch on May 26, 2006, 08:39:56 AM
I put in 3, checked, put in 3.5 checked.  it was about ~1/2 way up the dip stick.  Went for a ride checked again and it took the other .5 to get it to full.
Title: Re: Issues with an 01 GS500
Post by: Wrecent_Wryder on May 26, 2006, 09:09:55 AM
6y
Title: Re: Issues with an 01 GS500
Post by: RVertigo on May 26, 2006, 10:57:05 AM
Yeah...  Kick-stand switch && dead battery.

I've had to put 3.5 quarts in before...  Check for leaks and keep a close eye on the level...  There are about 15 places you can loose oil, not even counting burning it.
Title: Re: Issues with an 01 GS500
Post by: TheGoodGuy on May 26, 2006, 06:26:42 PM
it takes 3.2 or 3.3 quarts to be completely full..
but most of us just fill it to 3 quarts, its easy enough.. but i usually buy a 4th quart and put in about .2 to .3 more in.
Title: Re: Issues with an 01 GS500
Post by: hmmmnz on May 26, 2006, 11:43:59 PM
just curious as im a metric lad, but how much is a quart??
Title: Re: Issues with an 01 GS500
Post by: aaronstj on May 27, 2006, 01:43:14 AM
Very nearly a liter (http://www.google.com/search?q=1%20quart%20in%20liters).
Title: Re: Issues with an 01 GS500
Post by: CirclesCenter on May 27, 2006, 08:07:38 PM
Rectifier

Controls charging. Replace. Expensive.
Here's the test, take off the plastic and touch the rectifier, if it's hot enough to hurt you it's broken.

Kill switch

Replace, cheap.

Those are your problems, I'm almost certain of it.

Title: Re: Issues with an 01 GS500
Post by: Egaeus on May 27, 2006, 08:11:07 PM
You 3.5+ quarters *are* checking on the center stand on level ground, right?
Title: Re: Issues with an 01 GS500
Post by: Kerry on May 27, 2006, 08:32:16 PM
Quote from: Egaeus on May 27, 2006, 08:11:07 PMYou 3.5+ quarters *are* checking on the center stand on level ground, right?

'Cause if you're measuring it on the sidestand, it will look like it's less full than it is.  (See THIS POST (http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=11547.msg96564#msg96564).)