So I bought my 2000 GS about three months ago. Runs and starts great and seems well taken care of. Just had full service at 7500 mi and only has about 8k on it now. I didn't own it then but the dude said new plugs, oil, filter and "carbs done" (not exactly sure what "done" means) Lately it has developed a lag at acceleration. Right when I give the throttle the first twist. Like it bogs down and then shoots back up to normal. I does this even in higher gears, around curves and turns. It's no too bad but seems like it might be getting worse.
Any ideas what it may be and any advice what I should check first?
Let me give you a little history on myself: I'm a mechanical idiot. I can't really fix shaZam!. I got ADHD and wouldn't trust myself to put something back together right even if I did get it apart without breaking something.
I appreciate any help.
Considering those facts, my suggestion would be to tell everyone where you're from ,and maybe a nice ,and experienced member would be willing to take a look in person.
-CS
Are you remembering to turn the choke off while you're riding?
If you're not that much of a mechanical idiot, this should be pretty easy to fix. It sounds like your carbs are gummed up. Get a can of seafoam carb cleaner (the liquid kind, not the spray), and put 1-2oz in your FULL gas tank. If you noticed this happening gradually, it should take care of the clog in your main jet, if it doesn't, you'll need to get the carbs off.
Thanks a lot. I will try that. I can operate a spray can.... oh wait, I mean bottle of fluid. :confused:
I live in Ann Arbor, by the way.
If that doesn't work, maybe someone in the shop messed with you carbs, he might left the diaphragm needles too high, maybe he added a washer or two. You can try removing them, just be sure you don't loose the O'rings and grab the spring that will jump as soon as you open those black plastic covers in the carbs.
Also, clogged air filter could lead to this symptom as well.
Still haven't got around to the Seafoam treatment but plan to this weekend. (finally) One thing I have thought about is that I leave the fuel petcock open all the time. I realize this is not a good idea but how bad is it?? Could it be bogging down because of having bad fuel in the carbs?
Thanks a ton for any help on this.
Do you mean the petcock's always on PRI? That shouldn't be a problem IF your float needles don't leak. If they do, it's possible that you could get liquid fuel collecting in the cylinders leading to hydrolock ... and that IS bad, as in bending/breaking a piston rod.
If you have gas in the tank that's more than a couple weeks old, you might want to replace it before you add the seafoam, just to eliminate a possibility.
Yeah I never move the petcock. Don't turn it off, don't use reserve. The gas I have probably is partly old since I don't think I've ever had it below half a tank. I've only put about 200 miles on the bike since July when I got it. (I never have time to ride.)
Well I finally got around to doing the Seafoam treatment. It worked pretty good but there is still some lag at low RPM's in first gear. Tiny bit in second. In the spring I'll dig a little deeper and get the carbs off but for now I have another question. Is it safe to do another Seafoam treatment after this tank of gas is gone? If so, is there any real benefit to it or has the Seafoam done all it can do to clean out the carbs with one treatment?
Thanks a ton for the help. Bike is back to safe riding condition. :thumb:
Bump to see if anyone can answer the above question about a second Seafoam use.
A few things here. With ethanol now at the pumps...meaning 10% added for the EPA, gas goes bad in as little as 3-4 months. Put in fuel stabilizer or see if there are any non-ethanol gas stations around your area. Most boat marinas have non ethanol gas.
Also, make sure that your carb clamps are tight, your air cleaner is clean, and try a fresh tank of gas. If seafoam does not work again, I'd look into having the carbs cleaned.
Buy a shop manual, check the gstwins wiki, and use the search function. It's actually not that hard to clean carbs. I was a mechanical idiot too once. A little practice and patience, and you'll get it.
Thanks a lot. That's some nice help and some good advice. :cheers: