My wifes GS500 seems to be having quite alot of problems. When starting the bike it often seems starved of fuel, the exhaust makes a popping noise and the bike is reluctant to rev. Once on the bike, it is quite "spluttery" and feels under powered 1 minute (struggling to reach 40MPH) after a few minutes of bone shaking, it is then fine.
Also, the bike is cutting out as though it has run out of fuel and needs to wait for about 5 mins before it will start up again, even though there is plenty of fuel in the tank.
I thought there might be a fueling problem and was going to buy a fuel filter, but have read that the GS500 doesn't have one. Has any one else had a similar problem with their bike?
Quote from: robert_raw on May 19, 2008, 01:48:24 PM
My wifes GS500 seems to be having quite alot of problems. When starting the bike it often seems starved of fuel, the exhaust makes a popping noise and the bike is reluctant to rev. Once on the bike, it is quite "spluttery" and feels under powered 1 minute (struggling to reach 40MPH) after a few minutes of bone shaking, it is then fine.
Are you using the choke for start up? If so, you may have some sort of blockage in the carb that will require cleaning.
Quote
Also, the bike is cutting out as though it has run out of fuel and needs to wait for about 5 mins before it will start up again, even though there is plenty of fuel in the tank.
This sounds like the ever-so-common "fuel starvation problem"; a quick search will turn up plenty of threads.
I solved this problem on my bike (1995) by simply replacing the frame-mounted petcock with another OEM one. Others have modified the existing petcock, replaced with another style, etc.
QuoteI thought there might be a fueling problem and was going to buy a fuel filter, but have read that the GS500 doesn't have one. Has any one else had a similar problem with their bike?
You are correct that the GS500 doesn't not come stock with a fuel filter. Many people add an inline filter anyways. Make sure you get a motorcycle-specific fuel filter (car types assume a fuel pump and require excessive pressure to obtain adequate fuel flow).
In what condition is the inside of your tank? Is there any rust/dirt/water that might be finding its way into the carbs and causing these problems?
Sounds like a vacuum leak.Check the intake boots and air box boots.The intakes have an O ring that occasionally goes bad causing mysterious running problems.Could be partialy clogged jet or passage in the carb.
This may help.
http://gstwin.com/carb_work.htm
It could be the vacuum operated petcock.Here's links to a solution.
Eliminate the vacuum operation.This is virtually free except for a little JB Weld($3) I do this for $10 and that includes JB Weld and return shipping.Takes about 30 minutes to do.I ship it back the next day.PM me if you need more details.
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=19363.0
This is a cheap replacement that uses no vacuum.
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=36958.0
Just remember to cap the vacuum port on the carb.Cap cost me $0.50 at NAPA.