Hi,
I have a problem with my trusty GS500 so I thought that maybe you can help me somewhat.
Problems started after my bike had a carbs synchronized. Well carbs were torn apart and cleaned as well at some shop where I lended my bike since they had a problem with another GS and wanted to compare bike's carb settings.
I had just misplaced my back so I just barely got the bike to shop and few days later back and I did not ride my bike for a whole summer after that. it did seemed to be somewhat weaker when I rode it once that summer.
So at new spring I had real trouble starting it up. it just didnt start. only got real bad backfire and a meter long flame with a very loud band out from the exhaust.
It was way to late to blame the shop for anything so descided to do a valve clearence check. They were way off limits.
So I measured and calculated and then requested from local authorized dealer new discs with correct thickness.
Took about a month and only one arrived :(
I had wasted enough time already so I descided to bite the bullet. Combinig right one to the left and putting new right one I actually got the right one to be at correct clearence and the left one a bit off. In a "good direction". Before the intake valves opened up a little to much and closed to little, now the left intake was a bit more closed than allowed. Still better than too open. As there is no more backfires that way. Actually before the valves didnt close very well at all I quess.
So I put the bike back together and it was a bliss. or so I thought. Bike started up right away. no more backfires, no more 30 seconds long tries starting the bike.
But the troubles started once I was at highwayspeed. bike just started to die on me. As it wasnt getting enough fuel. RPM's around 5-6krpm and bike just stalls for a second or two, sometime longer and then goes on as nothing had happened. Rolling the gas on or off didnt seem to make much difference, maybe a little faster recovery when I rolled it on. At lower speed I did not detect any such behaviour and at higher speeds if my memory is correct it didnt quite happen so often too.
What do you think what would be the best course of action. I, myself think that since getting new correct sized disc is somewhat complicated and it would cost me time when I cant use my bike. So I think that maybe rebalancing carbs would take care of the phenomen.
Or what would you suggest?
Things that have crossed my mind are: cleaning the carbs myself and checking the floaters height. readjusting needle position. Redoing valvejob. But I really would not want to take the carbs apart. Maybe it is getting some extra air somewhere.
Thanks for those who bothered reading so far and to those who hopefully try to help me out. :) Maybe someone has experience with such a behaviour.
Sorry for the long post, and any grammar errors there might be. I tend to talk to much :) and english is not my native language.
Clean the carburetors yourself.
Disassemble one at a time.
Make sure you have all the parts for each carburetor.
You are going to need to complete that valve adjustment to really get a good idea if your carburetor work is going to do any good.
You are correct in adjusting the float height higher, and raising the needle as well. It seems as though you have a mid-range and roll-on hesitation (lean).
Hope this helps.
You may have no carb or valve problems at all.
Check to see if the same symptoms occur with the fuel petcock on PRIME setting. If the symptoms disappear, you have the typical GS500E fuel starvation issue which is associated with the vacuum operated petcock. Try that first -- much easier than farting with floats/valve shims/carbs.
Thank you for the suggestions, I will certainly check the petcock before anything else, after I renew my bike insurance :)
Please post your findinds,
My bike is having the same problem.
I'll run home and mess with my petcock. ...bike.