Got a new 1999 GS500E a few days ago. About 22k miles, person I bought it from says it "needs a tuneup probably" as its been sitting a while.
I put about 100 miles on it with short trips of 10 miles or less or so - no problems whatsoever.
Went on a ride3 days ago and about 30 miles into it (and 30 miles from my house :mad: ) cruising at about 75 on the freeway, bike dies... acts like I turned the switch off almost. Pulled over and for the life of me wouldnt restart. Cranked fine, no start though. Weather was 65 or so, dont think it was overheating or anything like that. Had a buddy get me and went back with my trailer and retreived it. Wouldnt start at all that night or the next day, but yesterday morning I tried to start it for the heck of it and it fired right up! Hmmmmmm.
Rode it about 3 short trips of 10 miles or less yesterday, no problems.
Went for another ride today and about 20 miles into it, I was noticing the bike idling about 3krpms in idle. Warm day today, about 85. Thought it was weird so I headed home. About 15 miles later it did the same thing... died about 75 like before. This time I pulled over, after calling a buddy and no answer, I turned the petcock to prime and it fired right up, still idling high. Pinned it home and made it.
Now, any ideas WTF is going on here? Im going to go get new plugs for it right now, and change the oil, but I doubt either of those things are the problem. The first time it happened I never tried the PRIME position, and today I never tried it again in regular RUN, moved it to prime right away and it started. Ive read that prime bypasses the vacuum system, could I have an issue there? Or is this a gummed up carb/float type issue, also causing the high idle/not coming down right away?
Any help is apprecaited, probably gonna take it in for a tuneup tomorrow and see what they say.
Classic sign of a bad vacuum petcock.Here's how to deal with it.
Here's how to eliminate the vacuum operation.Don't forget to plug the carb vacuum port.I do this mod.Message me for details
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=19363.0
Here's a cheap alternative that dosen't require vacuum.
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=36958.0
Running on PRIme will cause lean running and fuel starvation,also.The internal orifice that feeds the prime is very small.
Wow thanks for the quick response Ben! Not sure if I want to go attacking my petcock with JB Weld... so I can just buy a replacement petcock meant for the bike, or buy a CRF250X petcock and cap off the vacuum line? Thanks again!
Quote from: SIKDMAX on June 08, 2008, 02:45:33 PM
Wow thanks for the quick response Ben! Not sure if I want to go attacking my petcock with JB Weld... so I can just buy a replacement petcock meant for the bike, or buy a CRF250X petcock and cap off the vacuum line? Thanks again!
You're Welcome.
Any auto parts store has vacuum caps.It's best to cap it at the carb instead of plugging the hose.It'll flop around and crack or come loose.
I've run a petcock with JB Weld for a year with no problems.I will eventually switch to the CRF one.
You probably want to run the bike on PRI first to confirm that it is a faulty petcock. Next time you encounter this problem, switch to PRI and see if the problem goes away. If so, bad petcock.
Here is a description of how the petcock works:
http://cgi.stanford.edu/~sanjayd/gs500/Upgrades/Petcock
I had the same problem and fixed it by simply replacing with another OEM petcock. My petcock was over 10 years old, so I figure that's not too bad. ;)
More than likely thats what Im going to do. Anyone by chance have a part number for the OEM petcock, or have any idea how much they run? Mine is just a few months shy of 10 years old.
Looks like 1:
chicken ASSY,FUEL
499272-001 Enter 0-99 $62.92
From BikeBandit.
Quote from: SIKDMAX on June 08, 2008, 03:32:15 PM
Looks like 1:
chicken ASSY,FUEL
499272-001 Enter 0-99 $62.92
From BikeBandit.
That's it.
Just got back from the dealer with 2 new plugs, last oil filter they had, 3 quarts oil and ordered up that petcock. Will be here Wednesday. YAY!
Only been on this board for a short while and lovin it so far. Thanks again!
BTW, does anyone have any idea of when the failure actually occurs? Like Ive noticed it after sustained freeway travel for over 5 or 6 minutes, but Ive done many trips around town where im 1 2 3 4 3 2 1 quickly from light to light and things are dandy. Is it at a sustained RPM range or??? Id like to ride it more over the next few days, but dont want it to strand me again.
Quote from: SIKDMAX on June 08, 2008, 04:04:09 PM
BTW, does anyone have any idea of when the failure actually occurs? Like Ive noticed it after sustained freeway travel for over 5 or 6 minutes, but Ive done many trips around town where im 1 2 3 4 3 2 1 quickly from light to light and things are dandy. Is it at a sustained RPM range or??? Id like to ride it more over the next few days, but dont want it to strand me again.
It happens with sustained travel at high rpms; fuel is burned faster than the petcock can deliver it to the carbs.
As mentioned previously, if the petcock is faulty all you need to do is switch to PRI and you will not get stranded. Turn it back to ON when you park (this prevents flooding).
I have the same problem with my petcock and have yet to fix it
Has anyone successfully used a 2004+ petcock on an older bike?
Honda CRF 250 2004 part no.16950-KSC-003....about $22.00.at the Honda shop. Vaccum petcock.No trouble since! :thumb: :cheers:
Quote from: dwoloz on June 08, 2008, 07:08:08 PM
I have the same problem with my petcock and have yet to fix it
Has anyone successfully used a 2004+ petcock on an older bike?
They don't match up where they bolt down
Got it in today and bolted her up - seems to be running GREAT! Thanks again guys!
Took the time to do some other maintenance as well, like pull the front sprocket cover and douse the 18 gallons of crap in there with 5 cans of Brakleen!! :o
What a mess it was in there!
Next up on the list is install the K&N Lunchbox thats coming tomorrow, Vance & Hines system next week, rejet, and new chain and front sprocket. Thanks again for the help!
Quote from: SIKDMAX on June 11, 2008, 08:54:18 PM
Got it in today and bolted her up - seems to be running GREAT! Thanks again guys!
Took the time to do some other maintenance as well, like pull the front sprocket cover and douse the 18 gallons of crap in there with 5 cans of Brakleen!! :o
What a mess it was in there!
Next up on the list is install the K&N Lunchbox thats coming tomorrow, Vance & Hines system next week, rejet, and new chain and front sprocket. Thanks again for the help!
Glad it worked out! :thumb: