I'm new to the forum and originally found my way here after a search for "Suzuki GS500E stalling" or something similar. I've read through the threads on the issues with the older petcocks and I had a question that I didn't see mentioned (unless I missed it).
My bike has a little over 7K on it. (But it's a 95 so it's got some age). I see many people that have had issues, seem to have them at higher speeds / on the highway etc.
A few weeks back, (I live at the top of a steep hill), I was returning home from a quick loop around the neighborhood that only lasted about 15 minutes and at a maximum speed of no more that 35MPH or so. As I got about half way up the hill, it appeared that I was running out of gas. Luckily I "take the hill" in 3rd gear usually, so down-shifting into 2nd and rolling back the throttle some, allowed me to reach to top, round a curve and get onto my street (which is flat). It stumbled for about 600 feet and "died" right at my driveway. (Awesome timing).
Naturally, as soon as I stopped, The first thing I did was open the gas tank, (About 1/2 full). I wasn't paying attention and I can't say I heard a hissing sound (however, my key sticks a little in the tank lock so I tend to open it slowly while jiggling the key. (Have since fixed that).
The second thing I did was check the petcock, move it to off, then prime, then back again. The bike started right up and I took it around my street for a few miles than idled it in the garage for about 3-4 minutes. Everything seemed fine.
At first, I was thinking it could be an ignition type of problem (since it didn't "crank over forever" after this incident, It just started right up - didn't need to prime etc). But after doing a search and running across the posts from this forum, I'm guessing that going up a steep hill, even though only at 25-30mph, and "loading the engine down", that my symptoms could be very similar / identical to someone doing 70mph on a freeway.
I'm thinking that (unlike people doing 70 mph), that my "15-20 seconds" going up hill was not enough time to drain all of the fuel out of the lines and that's why she started right up afterwards?
Either way, I think the Petcock mod, Honda Petcock or a new Suzuki Petcock would be in order (If only for piece of mind). I wanted to post all of that detail - as my 2nd post ever - to get some opinions, see if anyone else experienced something similar to that and to see if others agree with me etc, or had any other ideas.
I did check the gas cap / vents and everything seems to be fine with that. I'd like to look over everything I can to avoid getting stuck far from home, should it be something else. The "petcock thing" doesn't bother me so much - as I can move it over to prime if I need to / get her back running again. Any other input would be a great help. Thanks.
The stumbling at high speed isn't due to the petcock, but rather the carb vent tube not being routed to a sheltered area (e.g. battery box)
If you have inline fuel filters, get rid of them as they can restrict fuel flow.
Also note: most of the fuel in the GS tank is in the top; when the level is about half way down in height you're actually starting to run on reserve.
radodrill.
Thanks, I did see a few of your replies regarding that as well (mine is routed very nicely right up into the battery box).
I don't have any inline filters. (agree with you 100% on that. I remember years ago those causing issues on certain bikes).
These flat bottom tanks certainly do appear to have more in them than they actually do - that's for sure. Since I haven't added any fuel since this happened, I should take a ride down the hill and see if I can re-create the same thing. I suspect I would. I'll just park my truck down there with a gas can.
With the angle of the incline (I'm sure what looks to be a 1/2 tank is surely less in this tank), there must be some pretty good sloshing around in there as well. I'm not quite used to the odometer as of yet and was trying to calculate "average distance per tankful" so I have not added any fuel (on purpose).
Thanks for the quick reply. It's amazing how much slips your mind when you're not around "2-wheels" for such a long time...
You look in the tank and see it is 1/2 full? Well, you are out of gas.
You need to switch to reserve.
Look at the tank from the side. You'll see most of the space for gas is in the front, well forward of the deep depression under the filler hole.
Looking in the tank is very very deceptive on how much gas you have left.
I have had many many phone calls from friends who say their bike stumbled and stopped but had 1/2 a tank of gas (by the looks). Told them to switch to reserve and all was OK. They then went to a gas station and put in about 3 gallons (4 gal tank where 1 gal is reserve).
Going up the hill, what little gas you had left sloshed to the rear and didn't go in the main tube. It did go in the reserve so when you flipped to prime, you refilled the carbs. Back on level ground the main tube was getting a little gas again.
Go fill her up. I bet you have to put in 3 gallons.
FYI: There is no OFF on the petcock. There is ON, reserve and prime. Prime and reserve take gas from the lowest spot in the tank. ON is a higher tube and leave a gallon in there as your reserve.
PRIME lets gas flow without the bike being on so you can refill your carbs. Otherwise it is the same as reserve.
adidasguy,
Thanks. I agree with you. I was just out in the garage looking and I can see by the shape of this tank, I'd bet I have less than a gallon in there. I bet it will take 3+ gallons easy. Given the incline of my hill, I'm sure that's exactly what happened. It's been 16years since I've been on a bike and this tank certainly different than the "old Ninja". It will just take a bit of getting used to all of the unique things".
And yes... I should have typed ON, not OFF in regards to the Petcock above.