So. I wanted to get into riding. I've owned a Nighthawk 450sc, but I really didn't get much enjoyment out of it. I used to own a garage, but I specialized in turbocharged and fuel injected engines(go figure). I wanted a nice looking bike, but something to learn on. So, I went craigslisting. Then, I found a 91 Suzuki GS500E. The engine dropped a valve, and the owner rebuild another engine and already put it in, but he and his wife were moving, and he needed to get rid of it since he had not worked on it in years. He originally purchased it 10 years ago and started to fix it. Well, I got it for 300. Cleaned the tank out, new plugs, oil change, new battery, and tried to start her. Nothing. Not even turn over. Well, after some messing around cleaned off points, and charged battery, well she turns over. Decent compression it seems like. But the carbs were leaking bad. Also, the fuel lines were routed wrong as it was just dumping gas right into the cylinders. After a day or two to dry. Fixed fuel lines. Cleaned and rebuilt carbs by taking apart, and soaking carb bodies, jets, bowls, and plug screws in chem dip carb cleaner and then taking a brass wired brush them. Also, got to take the red paint off the forsaken things. Put them back on after cleaning all the crud out of them, but had to swap main jets over as they were horribly beat and the one's threads were stripped. I had a pair of extra carbs that came with the bike, but they looked a little different. Looked to be the same size jet, however. Rebuilt, and no leaks! Now, bike still won't start.  The left carb takes a bit for gas to come out of the drain when I test to see if it is filling up just by loosening the plug. Should I check the float height? I did notice the diaphragm outer ring would keep trying to pop out of the carb body's groove. Is this normal? What would be the next recommended step?

Also, here is a picture of her.


Only visual modifications I have done is add some cheap aftermarket ebay rear turn signals and this had none, and tint the top of the tail light due to the fact I flipped it and did not like the clear top it now had.

Welcome!  Great find, I love cheap bikes.  Hope you keep posting your gs adventure!

- What's going on with the mirror on the right? Looks like it's floating in space?
- Is that some kind of drain line coming from the right side engine cover?
- Different colored head.
- How old are the tires?

For $300 you got a nice little project going on there... 

Michael

Quote from: mister on September 28, 2011, 11:46:42 AM
- What's going on with the mirror on the right? Looks like it's floating in space?

Michael

Joking right??

Cookie

Quote from: mister on September 28, 2011, 11:46:42 AM
- What's going on with the mirror on the right? Looks like it's floating in space?
- Is that some kind of drain line coming from the right side engine cover?
- Different colored head.
- How old are the tires?

For $300 you got a nice little project going on there... 

Michael

lol... I think that's a satalite dish..

Quote from: GI_JO_NATHAN on September 28, 2011, 11:50:32 AM

Quote from: mister on September 28, 2011, 11:46:42 AM
- What's going on with the mirror on the right? Looks like it's floating in space?
- Is that some kind of drain line coming from the right side engine cover?
- Different colored head.
- How old are the tires?

For $300 you got a nice little project going on there... 

Michael

lol... I think that's a satalite dish..

Ah, ok. Thought it was a primed  mirror. Never seen a sat dish stuck on a paling fence before 



Michael

Quote from: GI_JO_NATHAN on September 28, 2011, 11:50:32 AM

Quote from: mister on September 28, 2011, 11:46:42 AM
- What's going on with the mirror on the right? Looks like it's floating in space?
- Is that some kind of drain line coming from the right side engine cover?
- Different colored head.
- How old are the tires?

For $300 you got a nice little project going on there... 

Michael

lol... I think that's a satalite dish..

Man....you gave away the punch line too easy!!

Cookie

Haha.Yeah. It is a dish. I thought about getting a mirror and mounting it on the fence, but the visibility just wasn't right . . . The paint is flaking off on the head right there. Also, I think that is a leaf by the engine cover. The tires are probably about 10 years old I assume, but the front has no dry rot. The back, also, looks like someone just did a huge burn out.

Looks like you've got an awesome project there. Wish I could pick up a bike that cheap here in Aus. Unfortunately if it is that cheap it's usually at the wreckers 

If it was dumping fuel into the cylinders,did you check the oil isn`t diluted with gas?
check vacuum lines/air leaks also are you using prime on the fuel tap to fill carbs first.

Well, update on the bike. The compression feels weaker then I thought. I pulled the plugs and  cranked it with my thumb over the plug opening, and it had very little resistance. So, going to check the shims and tensioner. Hopefully one of those as they would be easier. Just seems like it isn't pulling the fuel in the cylinders, too. Does this bike need the air filter on to start?

Open the throttle ... or remove the carbs.
Cool.
Buddha.