Bike runs fine for about a mile then acts like it's running out of gas. I switch to reserve and the bike runs for about 1/2 mile then acts like it's running out of gas. If I turn back to main tank the bike will run for another mile and cycle continues.

  I am thinking that the screen petc*ck is plugged since the bike was sitting really long. The carbs have been cleaned and the tank was emptied/rinsed with clean gas. It has been suggested to me that it may be the float level but what do you think?

Have you tried turning it to PRI? 

Edit:  Dude, did you just write petcock as petc*ck?

 PRI does nothing, petc*ck is for the younger readers, don't want to end up in tard farm.

hahahahahahahahahahha petc*ck hahahahahaha for younger readers do they have motorcycles wouldnt i be about the youngest person on the board

i would say float level when dose it do it like how far do you twist it back and how many rpm are you doing

I'm 17 and have no problem with the word petcock..but besides if you have a bike then it shouldnt matter because you know what the word means----lol

I'm actually having a similar problem.  I just bought a '96 GS500e last week and am having fueling problems at high speeds, about 65 mph and higher.  I'm in 6th gear so around 5500 RPM and higher.  Basically, the same thing happens, once I get up to speed for about 2 or 3 miles on the freeway the bike starts to run out of gas and eventually stalls.  I thought it might be the filter on the petcock, but I checked that just by looking at it through the tank and I didn't see a bit of dirt on it at all.  I figure it must be something with either the petcock or the fuel tap.  I'm planning on changing all the fuel hoses and cleaning the fuel tap tonight and seeing what that does.  Any ideas?

Quote from: ALunarLullaby on September 07, 2006, 07:01:14 AM
I'm actually having a similar problem.  I just bought a '96 GS500e last week and am having fueling problems at high speeds, about 65 mph and higher.  I'm in 6th gear so around 5500 RPM and higher.  Basically, the same thing happens, once I get up to speed for about 2 or 3 miles on the freeway the bike starts to run out of gas and eventually stalls.  I thought it might be the filter on the petcock, but I checked that just by looking at it through the tank and I didn't see a bit of dirt on it at all.  I figure it must be something with either the petcock or the fuel tap.  I'm planning on changing all the fuel hoses and cleaning the fuel tap tonight and seeing what that does.  Any ideas?

sounds like fuel starvation.  It's a common problem and the best thing to do is to just switch the petcock (lol) to PRI whenever you'll be riding for extended periods of time at high speed/revs

Quote from: LimaXray on September 07, 2006, 07:09:32 AM

Quote from: ALunarLullaby on September 07, 2006, 07:01:14 AM
I'm actually having a similar problem.  I just bought a '96 GS500e last week and am having fueling problems at high speeds, about 65 mph and higher.  I'm in 6th gear so around 5500 RPM and higher.  Basically, the same thing happens, once I get up to speed for about 2 or 3 miles on the freeway the bike starts to run out of gas and eventually stalls.  I thought it might be the filter on the petcock, but I checked that just by looking at it through the tank and I didn't see a bit of dirt on it at all.  I figure it must be something with either the petcock or the fuel tap.  I'm planning on changing all the fuel hoses and cleaning the fuel tap tonight and seeing what that does.  Any ideas?

sounds like fuel starvation.  It's a common problem and the best thing to do is to just switch the petcock (lol) to PRI whenever you'll be riding for extended periods of time at high speed/revs

Thanks for the reply.  What exactly is "PRI"?  On my previously bike all I had was ON, RESERVE, and OFF.  I figured the PRI was just an off valve, but apparently not.  Thanks again for the help.

Quote from: ALunarLullaby on September 07, 2006, 07:21:24 AM
Thanks for the reply.  What exactly is "PRI"?  On my previously bike all I had was ON, RESERVE, and OFF.  I figured the PRI was just an off valve, but apparently not.  Thanks again for the help.

The petcock on the GS is kind of automatic, there is a valve in the petcock that is actuated by the engine's vacuum.  So, 'ON' is 'ON' and 'RES' is 'RES' while the bike is running, but they are both like 'OFF' when it's not.  'PRI' is like the 'RES' on most petcock, in that it draws from reserve and free flows to the carbs regardless if the bike is running.  If your float bowls ever become empty from running out of gas or fuel starvation or whatever, you need to set it to 'PRI'me to prime them with fuel.  Otherwise, just leave it on 'ON' or 'RES'.

Oh, and as for the original question of this thread, I'd say the screen in the tank is clogged.

I would have to agree that it is prob. the Float level.

There is a good post in the how to (i think) on checking and adjusting the float level 

I'd guess that it's clogged.  It fits the description.  If gas only trickles out of the tank, then it will trickle into both lines slowly.  As you use the gas in one, the other fills up.  That's why you can run by switching. 

 I pulled apart both petcocks and the remote one was clogged. Runs fine now but leaks gas from somewhere between the carbs, great... If the PRI somehow got stuck open(I took it apart to see if it was clogged) would it spit gas out like that?

Normally the needle valves should regualte fuel flow, also on PRI. But they are not the most reliable control elements.

Also possible: if there's a crack in the petcock diaphragm, Fuel will enter the carbs trhrough the vacuum pickup, which is quite high up. From there it can seep anywhere (I think).

Also, it could be the seals where the fuel enters the carb.  Part 46 on the diagram

Quote from: SVjohn39 on September 07, 2006, 01:42:14 PM
I pulled apart both petcocks and the remote one was clogged. Runs fine now but leaks gas from somewhere between the carbs

Once again I would have to say.... Float level