hi this is my first post. i have a 94 gs500e w/ 18,000 miles.
the bike was running fine for me for the 2 months that ive had it, and the life that the previous owner has had it. i hadn't started it in 6 days and i turned the fuel switch to off. i tried to start it today and the engine has a hard time turning over. i have to start it w/ the throttle turned slightly and the choke fully open. the engine runs for as long as i am keeping the throttle on, but once i let go the engine dies. 6 days ago it would start right up on the first try.

any ideas?

thanks

Welcome!

Idle screw needs to be turned in some, to increase your idle (base rpm's).  It's the brass knob hanging down inbetween the carburetors.  Picture in a few seconds...
It's easier to reach from the right side of the bike.
Also, check your airfilter; it's located behind your tank, under the seat, you will need to remove the seat to look into it.  And, make sure your exhaust pipe is not obstructed.

thanks for the help. i am going to try it tomorrow morning.

before i do it, which way increases/decreases the idle? and which way sets the air/ful mixture lean/rich?

thanks. i have a purple bike too!

Turn it so the forward half turns away from you (standing on the right of the machine).

so counter clockwise increases idle?

what about the air/fuel?

Looking down on it, yes.

Since the bike was running fine, I would leave these alone.  But, if you feel like you absolutely have to mess with them, turn them all the way in, seat them gently, and then turn them out 2.5 to 3 full turns.

my bike still won't run without my revving the engine. i messed with the idle and can't find a spot where it will sit fine. the choke is set all the way, and when i increase the idle it revs really high, so i either have to decrease choke or idle then the engine gradually tones down and eventually dies. also with the engine constantly dying and me trying to start it again, it's killing my battery so i can never set a good idle.

when i set the idle should i set it with the choke on or off? i was able to ride it in 1st gear for a while on the street, then the engine just cuts out.  i have no idea what is going on because like i said before, 5 days ago it was running completely fine without any problems, even after sitting for months without being started.

i haven't checked the intake yet, but what should i check for?
prior to these problems, it was sitting indoors for 5 days untouched.

Depending on which type of airfilter you have, you just want to make sure that it's not clogged of too dirty.  If it's the paper type, a light gray is okay, any darker and I would probably change it.  If it's foam, a simple wash, rinse and re-oil the filter is maybe all it needs.

Idle should be set after the bike is fully warmed up (usually after a 15 minute ride); choke off.

What octane gas are you running?

im running 87 octane.
what rpm should the bike be idling at with choke off?

i cant get the bike to ride longer than 2 minutes w/o touching the throttle. however i just started it w/o the air filter and it seemed to be fine, i didnt let it long enough for it to die. i just removed the air filter and it was pretty dirty. i believe its the oem filter, paper type. so i'll see how it goes afterwards. 

upon removing the tank i didn't see any leaks from any lines. it was pretty clean under there. so hopefully it's just the air filter. or it may be some lack of pressure in the tank if theres an air leak. it starts up fine, then the engine starts to sputter  and dies.

Between 1100-1300rpm's.

Is there a vacuum line hooked up to the inboard side of the left carburetor (right side of the left carburetor)?

Or, is it hooked up to the fuel selector...in the ON position?

Try it in PRIme as well.

Quote from: scratch on June 14, 2006, 01:02:36 PM
Between 1100-1300rpm's.

Is there a vacuum line hooked up to the inboard side of the left carburetor (right side of the left carburetor)?

Or, is it hooked up to the fuel selector...in the ON position?

Try it in PRIme as well.

there is a vacuum line hooked up. to both places. i dont see anything wrong with the line.

i just put in new plugs because the old was were really dark black, assuming from possibly flooding the engine from starting it so much.

i just put in a new UNI air filter, new spark plugs. i spoke to the previous owner and the carbs were cleaned 1-2k miles ago and the oil was changed at the same time.

any ideas?

Quote from: marlopez on June 09, 2006, 06:06:00 PM
hi this is my first post. i have a 94 gs500e w/ 18,000 miles.
the bike was running fine for me for the 2 months that ive had it, and the life that the previous owner has had it. i hadn't started it in 6 days and i turned the fuel switch to off. i tried to start it today and the engine has a hard time turning over. i have to start it w/ the throttle turned slightly and the choke fully open. the engine runs for as long as i am keeping the throttle on, but once i let go the engine dies. 6 days ago it would start right up on the first try.

any ideas?

thanks

I don't remember the petcock on the GS having an 'off' position.

that said, i had mine set to 'prime' for three months. including a 6-week period where i didn't run the bike at all, and i didn't have stabil or anything in the gas. mine still started and ran, so that's probably not the problem.

i feel like when i put my gas valve to off and put it back to on, gas isnt flowing freely to let it idle. i am resorting to this because i feel like i did everything possible and that is the only reasonable idea that i can come up with after having it sitting for 5 days where it ran perfectly before that.

my battery is now dead from trying to start it so much, but i pushed it around and jiggled the bike to maybe get some gas to flow into the lines. im gonna try to start it again when its not so hot

Now, I'm thinking something is getting pinched.

Or, the gas cap.  Try it with the tank open.

How's the battery?  Does it have fluid?  Does it have a good charge?

Screw in the mix screws and count how many turns it takes to seat them gently, then screw them back out to that same position, and try to start the bike.

Are both sparkplugs getting spark?

Now, I'm also thinking water is getting in the gas.  Maybe condensation inside the tank?

How full is the tank?

Quote from: scratch on June 16, 2006, 04:31:48 PM
Now, I'm thinking something is getting pinched.

Or, the gas cap.  Try it with the tank open.

How's the battery?  Does it have fluid?  Does it have a good charge?

the battery is now dead, ive been using a 12v jumper cable power pack to start it. before this ordeal the battery was perfect as it was newly replaced.

Quote from: scratch on June 16, 2006, 04:31:48 PM
Screw in the mix screws and count how many turns it takes to seat them gently, then screw them back out to that same position, and try to start the bike.

i would do this, but none of that was touched since it was working and crapped out on me.

Quote from: scratch on June 16, 2006, 04:31:48 PM
Are both sparkplugs getting spark?

how can i check this? when i pulled out the plugs both of them looked as if they had been working.

Quote from: scratch on June 16, 2006, 04:31:48 PM
Now, I'm also thinking water is getting in the gas.  Maybe condensation inside the tank?

anything i can do about this?

Quote from: scratch on June 16, 2006, 04:31:48 PM
How full is the tank?

40 miles since the last full tank.

i just was able to ride the bike down the street and back, but either had to be moving fast or blip the throttle when i was going slow to keep it from dying. the person i bought it from thinks that i may have not put the gas valve in the ride spot,  but that doesnt seem like the problem because it runs with the throttle turned.

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=26924.msg283713#msg283713
Be back with the sparkplug test, but basically you:
Remove one sparkplug
Stick it back in the cap
Anchor (ground) only the threads to the head (a fin of your choice).
Press the start button and watch the sparkplug electrode for the spark.
Reinstall sparkplug and repeat proceedure for other side.
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=27241.msg287747#msg287747

if I wasn't headed to Kentucky for the Next 10 days, I'd ride down to where ever you're at and help you out until we get this sorted.


I'll be back at the end of the month, and I'll see what I an do for helping you out.


And don't worry, we'll have this up and running in time for the GS Get Together in August, no worries at all.

an update. i rode to the corner and back agian constantly blipping the throttle when idles were going low. then it died. on the initial start up, the engine starts. after dying maybe 4 times and starting it back up, it starts somewhat easily. however, the more times i have to restart it i have to give it some throttle. after that, the engine doesnt turn over at all. the starter constantly whines from holding the start button down. this makes me think its a fuel problem. the bike smells like gas afterwards.

Quote from: TragicImage on June 16, 2006, 06:49:49 PM
if I wasn't headed to Kentucky for the Next 10 days, I'd ride down to where ever you're at and help you out until we get this sorted.


I'll be back at the end of the month, and I'll see what I an do for helping you out.


And don't worry, we'll have this up and running in time for the GS Get Together in August, no worries at all.

thanks for your help man, i really appreciate it. if i dont get the bike running by the time you come back i will hold you to your offer. im in grananda hills, in the san fernando valley. hopefully that's not too far from where you are.

Sounds like carbs if it smells of gas afterwards. Perhaps your flooding them, too much fuel or wrong mixture. You need some carb experts to tel you what the carbs should be set at. (dont own a GS)

Recharge the battery.

And, then go back and read all of my posts.

You need to set the idle first.  Ride the bike, or just let it sit and warm up for 5 minutes, get it so the fins are hot.  Setting the idle means to set it and leave it.  Without the choke on (choke all the way forward, and make sure it's not hanging up down on the right carb body).