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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: billybob00 on August 18, 2007, 01:41:22 PM

Title: Engine shut off on me twice on the freeway -- why?
Post by: billybob00 on August 18, 2007, 01:41:22 PM
I have a 92 GS500E, and I recently took a short trip that required the freeway.  It was kinda windy that day, and I was going around 80 mph.  All of a sudden, my bike starting jerking back and forth, like it was running out of gas (I had a full tank).  The engine then died on me, and I had to pull off to the side.  I waited 5 minutes, then it started back up.  This happened to me twice.  I've had this happen to me before on low fuel, but not on a full tank... I've heard this is a common problem with this bike... is that true?

What should I look into to see what is causing this?  I'm not very mechanically inclined, so please help!
Title: Re: Engine shut off on me twice on the freeway -- why?
Post by: bosozoku on August 18, 2007, 01:52:20 PM
Quote from: billybob00 on August 18, 2007, 01:41:22 PM
I have a 92 GS500E, and I recently took a short trip that required the freeway.  It was kinda windy that day, and I was going around 80 mph.  All of a sudden, my bike starting jerking back and forth, like it was running out of gas (I had a full tank).  The engine then died on me, and I had to pull off to the side.  I waited 5 minutes, then it started back up.  This happened to me twice.  I've had this happen to me before on low fuel, but not on a full tank... I've heard this is a common problem with this bike... is that true?

What should I look into to see what is causing this?  I'm not very mechanically inclined, so please help!

Fuel starvation?  Check the vacuum hose to the petcock and make sure it's not plugged or cracked.  Also, try running on PRI and see if the problem occurs then (the PRI position on the petcock is "on" regardless of engine vacuum.

-b.
Title: Re: Engine shut off on me twice on the freeway -- why?
Post by: frankieG on August 18, 2007, 02:01:26 PM
also check the two breather holes in the filler cap
Title: Re: Engine shut off on me twice on the freeway -- why?
Post by: yupoo on August 18, 2007, 02:54:12 PM
This happened to me. It was a crappy petcock. Try running it on the freeway in prime to see if it helps. I was able to rig it with prime for awhile but eventually i had to buy a new petcock
Title: Re: Engine shut off on me twice on the freeway -- why?
Post by: trumpetguy on August 18, 2007, 04:30:06 PM
Search "fuel starvation" -- it's a known issue on this bike.  Downshift, slow down, or run it on PRI all the time to avoid the problem.