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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: rockadoo on May 06, 2004, 11:59:16 AM

Title: running rich and flickering lights
Post by: rockadoo on May 06, 2004, 11:59:16 AM
Hi group,
I have a couple of odd things going on. The first is the lights flicker ever so slightly and intermittently. The headlight dims "slightly" when the engine is revved in neutral. Also the plug on the left side is running rich while the right is burning fine. The engine loads up if run at slow speeds.
Can anyone give me some ideas what to look for to correct these problems. Thanks
Title: running rich and flickering lights
Post by: scratch on May 06, 2004, 12:10:21 PM
Lights, dunno, could be normal. Ever ride a '70's Triumph? Dimming when revved from idle is probably from the electrical system trying to catch up with the spark plug load. Could be for all the lights. The electricity required to make a spark drains the rest of the system.
Left-side carburetor float may be set too high.
Does the engine load up at slow speeds when the tachometer is reading at less than 4000rpm? Keep the rpm's up. Usually, you can cruise at 4k in any gear, but you need to rev it up before you shift to keep the next gear above 4k.
Title: running rich and flickering lights
Post by: Kerry on May 06, 2004, 01:46:57 PM
Quote from: rockadoothe plug on the left side is running rich while the right is burning fine.
Quote from: scratchLeft-side carburetor float may be set too high.
That's what I thought of, too.  rockadoo, for a simple way to check that float height see this page.

You may want to synchronize the carburetors too, but I would check the float height first.

EDIT: Changed link from sisna.com to bbburma.net
Title: running rich and flickering lights
Post by: scratch on May 06, 2004, 04:31:09 PM
If I edit my post, will the quote in Kerry's post change?

I'm such a retard.

Nope, it didn't change.

Still a retard.
Title: running rich and flickering lights
Post by: Kerry on May 06, 2004, 04:39:52 PM
There ...  I edited my post to match.
Title: running rich and flickering lights
Post by: merchjo on May 06, 2004, 09:56:31 PM
My GS did the dimming thing....turns our my regulator was going bad.  Check the voltage at the battery and make sure its within spec.
Title: float height & flickering lights
Post by: rockadoo on May 07, 2004, 03:14:31 AM
Thanks guys for the help,
I know what I'll be doing tomorrow.  Btw my lady friend used the GS to take her road test for her motorcycle licence yesterday. She passed!! Had to pull over and clear out the engine during the test too.