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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: thehooligan on August 14, 2012, 04:28:06 PM

Title: help me get my GS back on the road!
Post by: thehooligan on August 14, 2012, 04:28:06 PM
hey guys, this is my first post here and unfortunately its a "my bike doesn't work" post. i've done a lot of reading on the site here and i still haven't gotten it running right. so... please help!

here's the story:

i bought a 2007 gs500f about two months ago. i wasn't able to get it out and really drive it until a few weeks ago. the first ride for about 40 minutes went off without a hitch. the second ride also was fine. my third trip however saw my bike start to lose power and stall at lights. after i struggled it along for a few more minutes it got to the point where i was cruising along at 40-50 and it would slowly lose power then just die as i was moving along. so being the mechanically inclined i began to take stuff apart. so far i have done a few few things. first i verified that fuel was going from the tank to the petcock, check. then i tested if the petcock allows fuel to flow if a vacuum is drawn on it, check. next i tested if the bike runs if fuel is put directly into the carbs by pouring it directly into the line with a funnel, check. lastly i tested if there is vacuum going to the petcock, it seemed weak but there was (of course i don't have anything to compare the vacuum strength to). when i put it all together however it doesn't run properly. i have narrowed it down to this issue: the bike runs when its on "prim", but not on "on".

id love to get this squared away as i have a slew of new parts to put on but i don't want to until this is fixed.

Title: Re: help me get my GS back on the road!
Post by: mister on August 14, 2012, 04:41:18 PM
Ok.... ride to a gas station and fill it up.

Don't just look in the tank and see gas and think you are fine. You are not. The tank is deceptive. So.... first fill it up then report back.

Michael
Title: Re: help me get my GS back on the road!
Post by: thehooligan on August 14, 2012, 04:44:48 PM
i know its not that, the bike was just filled before the ride when everything stopped working
Title: Re: help me get my GS back on the road!
Post by: RossLH on August 14, 2012, 04:46:12 PM
Check for vacuum leaks and check your float heights. If everything checks out alright, take off the carbs, clean the hell out of them, put it all back together, and try again.
Title: Re: help me get my GS back on the road!
Post by: thehooligan on August 14, 2012, 04:49:02 PM
doing the float height check in about 20 minutes, will report back after. i cleaned the carbs already once and they are going to get rejetted as soon as the parts arrive.
Title: Re: help me get my GS back on the road!
Post by: codajastal on August 14, 2012, 04:49:08 PM
Check your battery as this happened to me and my battery was fooked. As soon as I replaced battery problem went away.
Not sayin thats it but check with and without load.
Title: Re: help me get my GS back on the road!
Post by: thehooligan on August 14, 2012, 05:03:55 PM
how does one test a battery?
Title: Re: help me get my GS back on the road!
Post by: codajastal on August 14, 2012, 05:07:01 PM
Quote from: thehooligan on August 14, 2012, 05:03:55 PM
how does one test a battery?
With a battery tester or multimeter. Or take to local garage and get them to test it.
Title: Re: help me get my GS back on the road!
Post by: Janx101 on August 14, 2012, 05:16:16 PM
.... waiting patiently .... waiting.... waiting....

s'funny .. would have thought adidas be in here by now.... the words battery and multimeter never fail!

but.. hooligan ... if you not sure about how to test battery .. DO like cods said and take it to a garage ... watch what they do .. and maybe ask them a few questions ... that way you pick up the info and know for next time .... there WILL be a next time  :thumb:
Title: Re: help me get my GS back on the road!
Post by: codajastal on August 14, 2012, 05:18:05 PM
Quote from: Janx101 on August 14, 2012, 05:16:16 PM
.... waiting patiently .... waiting.... waiting....

s'funny .. would have thought adidas be in here by now.... the words battery and multimeter never fail!

but.. hooligan ... if you not sure about how to test battery .. DO like cods said and take it to a garage ... watch what they do .. and maybe ask them a few questions ... that way you pick up the info and know for next time .... there WILL be a next time  :thumb:

Lol on adidas

lol on the 'there WILL be a next time"
Title: Re: help me get my GS back on the road!
Post by: thehooligan on August 14, 2012, 05:20:36 PM
its funny that ive rebuilt engines and dont know how to test a battery...
Title: Re: help me get my GS back on the road!
Post by: Bluesmudge on August 14, 2012, 05:30:26 PM
Could be a bad petcock. This was the first thing that went wrong on my 2006 when mine would only run on PRIME. New petcock fixed the problem.
Title: Re: help me get my GS back on the road!
Post by: adidasguy on August 14, 2012, 06:06:02 PM
#5309
Quote from: Janx101 on August 14, 2012, 05:16:16 PM
.... waiting patiently .... waiting.... waiting....

s'funny .. would have thought adidas be in here by now.... the words battery and multimeter never fail!

but.. hooligan ... if you not sure about how to test battery .. DO like cods said and take it to a garage ... watch what they do .. and maybe ask them a few questions ... that way you pick up the info and know for next time .... there WILL be a next time  :thumb:

I've grown weary of always saying the same thing about using a meter.
Title: Re: help me get my GS back on the road!
Post by: Janx101 on August 14, 2012, 06:40:02 PM
ahh c'mon adidas! .. you know you love it! ...  :angel:

oh and your korn comment below avatar is out of date! ...  ;)

think of the multimeter/battery thing as your .... Legacy! .. yeah... the Gift of Knowledge that is passed on by word of mouth or written musings .. for the benefit of future generations! , you're not going to go all Grumpy Grandpa in the rockin chair by the fire are you!

..... c'mon lads ... we need to cheer Gramps up a bit!... i think that while he is happy that Trey has a new loving home... he is mourning the loss of a favoured child! ..  :sad:

so come on adidas! .. you need to be positive about the battery thing .. dont let some slight repetition make you acid and negative.. mount the battlecharger of righteous information, ride forth with energized mind and sparked up spirit!  :cool:
Title: Re: help me get my GS back on the road!
Post by: mister on August 14, 2012, 06:42:58 PM
So it runs in Pri but not on On and you are 100% certain you have enough gas.

Do you have an aftermarket fuel filter on the On fuel line?
Have you checked the On fuel line for a pinch in it which would restrict flow?
Petcock vacuum diaphragm?

Michael
Title: Re: help me get my GS back on the road!
Post by: thehooligan on August 14, 2012, 06:51:00 PM
i dont have a fuel filter on there, and there is no pinch. im begining to think its a bad petcock. is there a way to test that?
Title: Re: help me get my GS back on the road!
Post by: mister on August 14, 2012, 07:03:34 PM
Quote from: thehooligan on August 14, 2012, 06:51:00 PM
i dont have a fuel filter on there, and there is no pinch. im begining to think its a bad petcock. is there a way to test that?

Ok, so you have an Idea of how the Petcock works have a look at this diagram...

(http://cgi.stanford.edu/~sanjayd/gs500/uploads/Upgrades/FuelPetcockSchematic.jpg)

Now, with an 07 your petcock should resemble the one on the right of the below image...

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GS500fuelcocks.jpg)

The diaphragm might be ok but your vacuum line might not be. So examine the diagram and then check your vacuum to make sure it is ok.

Michael
Title: Re: help me get my GS back on the road!
Post by: thehooligan on August 14, 2012, 07:21:31 PM
so a few days ago i pulled the petcock from the bike, hooked up the incoming fuel lines to it, and tested each position. without vacuum fuel would only flow in prime. when i drew vacuum (using my mouth and the standard vacuum hose) fuel would flow just fine.

this leads me to believe the petcock is fine and that i dont get enough vacuum to it when the bike is on. this would be confirmed by my observation that the bike runs on "prime" but on "on"
Title: Re: help me get my GS back on the road!
Post by: mister on August 14, 2012, 09:04:09 PM
Ok so the diaphragm is good. Have you followed the vacuum hose to make sure it is connected correctly?

Michael
Title: Re: help me get my GS back on the road!
Post by: adidasguy on August 14, 2012, 11:14:21 PM
#5313
Quote from: Janx101 on August 14, 2012, 05:16:16 PM
.... waiting patiently .... waiting.... waiting....

s'funny .. would have thought adidas be in here by now.... the words battery and multimeter never fail!

but.. hooligan ... if you not sure about how to test battery .. DO like cods said and take it to a garage ... watch what they do .. and maybe ask them a few questions ... that way you pick up the info and know for next time .... there WILL be a next time  :thumb:

OK - rather than repeat what I've said here is an article from Betterystuff on how to test your battery with YOUR VOLT METER.

http://www.batterystuff.com/blog/how-to-tell-if-your-battery-is-bad.html?utm_source=Bronto&utm_medium=email&utm_content=BatteryStuff&utm_campaign=Mid-Summer-2012-Newsletter&utm_source=bronto&utm_medium=email&utm_term=How+to+Tell+if+Your+Battery+is+Bad+in+3+Easy+Steps&utm_content=2012+Mid-Summer+Newsletter+[VIDEO]&utm_campaign=08%2F10%2F2012
Title: Re: help me get my GS back on the road!
Post by: Phil B on August 15, 2012, 09:47:31 PM
Quote from: thehooligan on August 14, 2012, 04:28:06 PM
i have narrowed it down to this issue: the bike runs when its on "prim", but not on "on".


when in doubt, have a third point of reference.
You didnt say what happens with it on "res"
Title: Re: help me get my GS back on the road!
Post by: RossLH on August 15, 2012, 10:02:30 PM
Also, does the choke have any effect on it running?
Title: Re: help me get my GS back on the road!
Post by: thehooligan on August 16, 2012, 01:55:45 PM
ok guys i got really frustrated with the bike today.

i tore off everything up to the carbs and put it all back on. i threw away all the vacuum hoses and followed the factory diagram for reinstalling them.... and guess what....

THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THEM ALL F&*%$D UP!

i also removed the secondary air system.

after putting everything back on and using my fancy water bottle with a petcock instead of a fuel tank...

it runs!!!!

it runs perfectly!

thank you all for your help




and no, it wasnt the battery  ;)
Title: Re: help me get my GS back on the road!
Post by: Phil B on August 16, 2012, 02:57:46 PM
That... is hillarious.

Makes you wonder how yoou ever got that first ride going.

Maybe it was in pieces just before you bought it, he threw it together agian, but it degraded quickly? ??
:cookoo:
Title: Re: help me get my GS back on the road!
Post by: thehooligan on August 17, 2012, 09:25:39 PM
one more quick issue.

i put everything back together again tonight checking and rechecking for fuel leaks and when i was satisfied there were none i started her up. she ran just fine and warmed up very quickly thanks to the "farking unbelievable" spark plugs. after about a minute of idling i got on and started revving a little to mke sure everything ran fine. i did this for about 2 minutes revving a bit then dropping the throttle closed. i noticed two issues that concerned me. 1) occasionally the revs would hang between 2-3k for a split second then fall back to idle and 2) once i turned it off i noticed fuel dripping onto the ground coming out of my filter. i did at one point hear a decent pop while it was falling back to idle once as well. it seemed as if the left hand carb was dumping fuel out into the filter from one of the two holes at the six o'clock position of the carbs intake.

incase you are wondering i have the lunchbox style filter but have not rejetted yet (jets are in the mail)
Title: Re: help me get my GS back on the road!
Post by: RossLH on August 17, 2012, 10:17:37 PM
Check the float on the left carb. Sounds like either the float height isn't set properly or the needle valve isn't sealing.
Title: Re: help me get my GS back on the road!
Post by: thehooligan on August 18, 2012, 11:46:05 AM
If the needle isn't sealing what needs to be done?
Title: Re: help me get my GS back on the road!
Post by: RossLH on August 18, 2012, 12:59:11 PM
Replace it with a new OEM needle valve, needle valve seat, and O-ring.
Title: Re: help me get my GS back on the road!
Post by: thehooligan on August 18, 2012, 01:40:02 PM
thats a 6,7, and 12?


http://www.bikebandit.com/2007-suzuki-gs500f-carburetor/o/m16095sch649433 (http://www.bikebandit.com/2007-suzuki-gs500f-carburetor/o/m16095sch649433)
Title: Re: help me get my GS back on the road!
Post by: RossLH on August 18, 2012, 01:56:03 PM
21. I'd recommend checking the float heights first; throwing 50 bucks out when you don't need to is no fun.
Title: Re: help me get my GS back on the road!
Post by: thehooligan on August 18, 2012, 01:58:16 PM
couldn't agree more, I'm checking the float height tonight. i just wanted to be prepared if i need to replace it