im about to go check out this gs500 this guy has its a 93 and it looks to be in top condition by the pictures.  the guy reports that there is a gas leak situation with the bike.  i have read up on the forum and have found out about the problems and causes with others and their own fuel leakage problems.  (float needle, carb cleaning necessary, or petcock replacement)  i havent gotten to look at the bike yet but want to know how to make sure it is one of these "easily" fixable senarios and not something that is going to cost more than i pay for the bike to fix.  just check the hoses? the petcock? leakage from the air box? rust? is that all i can do? i was thinking of taking to a mechaninc.  i can confidently say i know nothing about bikes but absorb info fast by reading up.  thanks in advance.

this is what he said "The bike starts up everytime and runs and rides good... there just isnt any gas in it because of the leak... which im either thinking its leaking from the carbs for from the petcock.  I also have the service manual for it, i just dont have time to work on it anymore, but i rode it for most the summer to work and stuff."

How much is the asking price?

I'd say look at the bike first and report back here.  The pros can help diagnose what's wrong.  If you can take and post pictures, that'd be better

Is it the tank that's leaking or the carbs?  A carb rebuild can fix the latter but a leaky tank will probably need to be replaced.

-M

yep-check the location of the leak. if he doesnt know-RUN. he surely knows where its leaking. one of the first gs500's I looked at had a leak he didnt tell me about, until I had it drip on me-it was dripping from hairline cracks in the seam of the tank along the bottom edge (from rust).

What they said: As long as its not leaking from the tank it's probably an easy fix.

If you do decide to get the bike and the tank is leaking, you ll probably have to bite the bullet and by an 04 tank unless you can find another one. Its what i did, im just waiting on it to get here...

Mikuni's on this bike usually dont leak from anywhere but the float seat. not the T fitting inbetween, not the float bowl gasket thought that can leak, it usually is pretty good on the nummerous carbs I have split ... so now I am reversing course on my theory. Anyway float seats and needles. now if you got rust and holes in the tank, rust can clog up and cause stuff to stay open when it should close, and stuff to close when it should stay open ... very good possibility that its clogged up and made your floats stay open ... or you got rust and blown a hole in the tank ... yea - good luck with that. A swap out tank is your best bet. Count on it costing you $200 minimum, and that doesn't include painting it. Coated tanks are your best bet, if it was done decently. Else the mofo will leak from under that coating.
Cool.
Srinath.

4200,srinath?   

You just recieved topnotch advise from a few of our best.

I have a couple pennies though.
I am a sucker for a do-it -yourself fixer upper.   if all you have is a gas leak, buy the biatch.
o'course only if your willing to grab a wrench and the price is right.

most of the fuel system for this bike is super inexpensive, save for the tank and carbs. The tank is a pain to repair but it is doable. Buying one may be a bit more of an investment than you might be willing to go with. As for the carbs, I highly doubt you would need to replace the entire carb(s). rebuild kits are relatively cheap($25-$35 per carb) see our home page or the Wiki for an in depth how-to with pics.

I suggest you take a look at the bike. Have him dump a couple gallons in and start her up.  (the chances of fire are minimal, just be safe)
find the leak for yourself.
You have more than enough resources here on this forum to map out the fuel system and arm yourself with the knowledge necessary to find that leak for sure.

ALSO.. be sure not to be blind by the leak. be sure to check all other parts of the bike for wear and tear and other deficiencies.

Good luck. 

You know where to find us.

oops i was waiting for my email to tell me that people were posting...thanks for the responses guys. this guy is ...s l o w.... its been taking me almost 2 weeks to get a chance to look at the bike. the pictures he gave me show me nothing but a bike in pristine condition no visable rust signs.  he had or he says he had the tank pressure tested for leaks and it checked out. he says gas comes out of the petcock which i have read from other posts that it could require float checking or replacing, or a good cleaning of the carbs or petcock assembly, and at the worst a replacement of the petcock. i would actually enjoy fixing the leak with your guys help. get me some knowlege about the internals of he bike.
the bike is running for a nice $1000 its hard to beat at this point in the season in seattle and im flat tired of waiting but not impatient to the point where im going to settle for a heap of trash.  i was thinking about bringing a gas can and filling up the tank and checking to see where the leak was for myself and im wondering just how big of a leak it is.   i go in on wendesday he says but he also said this last weekend i could see it too but he bailed.  i figgured i waited almost 2 years looking at bikes and wondering if i should get one, whats another few days. 
thankyou so much for your help.

when buying from private party is it just sales tax that you have to pay for on top of the asking price or are there more fees for title transfer for instance. 

well usually you pay the taxes on it when you take the title to the courthouse and register, but you can lower it (taxes), by 1. either he fills out a gift form, or 2. get a bill of sale with a lower price on it

here i go!!!

good luck with the bike!  i'm still waiting on mine to get back from my buddy's mechanic (a friend of a friend of an acquaintance, etc)...aargh.

i have it at my house right now.  i put some gas in it to chek for leaks in the morn.  i got the price down cause the hoses are "aftermarket"  some tubes with zipties and the break lights kinda messed up and one of the blinker lights are out.  other than that looks like a champ. and runs well.  im thinking the leak is from those tubes though. kinda hoping so that i can just easily replace em.   thanks for the help.

Gas leak? Cake. Do it. (If the price is right, but act all worried about the gas leak)

Gas leak - Join the club ...
Remember that old SNL skit about Cheese burger, cheese burger, cheese burger ... yea ... we can do that like this here ... Gas leak, gas leak, gas leak ... Yea  ...
Its a standard feature ... you get free with purchase ... like you get a steering wheel in a car ...
Cool.
Srinath.

Quote from: iakona808 on August 24, 2006, 12:35:02 AM
i have it at my house right now.  i put some gas in it to chek for leaks in the morn.  i got the price down cause the hoses are "aftermarket"  some tubes with zipties and the break lights kinda messed up and one of the blinker lights are out.  other than that looks like a champ.

Sounds like a perfect GS!  Congrats on your new bike! 

Quote from: seshadri_srinath on August 24, 2006, 10:34:20 AM
Gas leak - Join the club ... Its a standard feature ... you get free with purchase ... like you get a steering wheel in a car ...

I thought it was the *oil* leak that was standard....*I* didn't have a gas leak!! I was RIPPED!!!! 

Oh...wait...the gas leak came later....nevermind!

so far so good i put in about a gallon of gas and it hasnt leaked all day.  however shes a little shy of perfect.  i still want those tubes replaced and my back turn signal isnt working after replacing burnt bulb.  any ideas? im going to check the electical. also it seems when i hit the rear break the break light doesnt kick in.  the front does, back doesnt.  those are my last remaining problemmos.

fixed the turn signal. still no leaking.  what do you guys say about insurance?