Just curious on why the GS500 engine is so "reliable" ? Is there a physical reason to the engine on why its reliable? or Is it just known to be that way? Cause with all the basic problems it has. And I've seen to run into. Never really hear the reasons why its so good. so shoot it. What am I missing? What makes this engine so GRRRRRRRREAT!

It's simplicity mainly.

Quote from: Twisted on February 13, 2012, 12:50:46 AM
It's simplicity mainly.

I agree yes..

But I Haven't really looked into it. But simple is sometimes better in some cases, But than again. Can you do a lot with simple?

Could an artist paint, a painting by only painting with 1 color?

Quote from: J_Walker on February 13, 2012, 12:54:47 AM

Quote from: Twisted on February 13, 2012, 12:50:46 AM
It's simplicity mainly.

I agree yes..

But I Haven't really looked into it. But simple is sometimes better in some cases, But than again. Can you do a lot with simple?

Could an artist paint, a painting by only painting with 1 color?

Lmao. Are you comparing a Suzuki to art?

And yes Jackson Pollock achieved this -

It is an old, simple, reliable design.

You may have a worn out engine or one that was abused.

Though you may not want to hear it, it is possible that because you are new to it, you may have tried to work on things and made it worse. Having friends around with more experience helps.

That's one thing nice about the West Seattle GS500 Club. Each one of us has expertise in certain areas. My expertise is cosmetics and electrical. I can find a short in less than a minute or change a headlamp in 2 minutes or less. That's where I help. Others are experts at suspension or carbs and I ask for their help when I first tackle those areas. I learn from them. They learn from me. When something isn't working right, we usually wait until we have a consensus as to the problem then try that first. We try to never go blindly taking things apart.

Make friends with your local dealer/shop. maybe have them get everything working and ask them what was wrong and how they fixed it. Then, as little things come up you'll be able to tackle them...  working your way up to bugger things. If you had other GS500 owners you could wrench with, most everything can be solved.

Always communicate detailed information on problems. Never hesitate to say what you did and admit that you may have screwed it up. That helps someone else fix it. Ask for help and never blame anyone else. Passing the buck never helps unless it is important historical information - like "I know the PO didn't change oil or PO never oiled the chain or PO put on the crappy shock you see now" .

We all screw up. We all break a bolt, spill gas, tear a gasket, forget to tighten a screw or any number of other things. I've even tried to fill Trey with gas and get him running - only to realize I forgot to close the carb drain screws. Gas went everywhere - and I did that TWICE in the same day! 

Quote from: J_Walker on February 13, 2012, 12:54:47 AM

Quote from: Twisted on February 13, 2012, 12:50:46 AM
It's simplicity mainly.

I agree yes..

But I Haven't really looked into it. But simple is sometimes better in some cases, But than again. Can you do a lot with simple?

Could an artist paint, a painting by only painting with 1 color?

You obviously did not see the Scratchboard work that was posted here

Quote from: J_Walker on February 13, 2012, 12:47:46 AM
Cause with all the basic problems it has. And I've seen to run into. Never really hear the reasons why its so good. so shoot it. What am I missing? What makes this engine so GRRRRRRRREAT!

Not sure I follow your statement "basic problems".  It does what it was designed to do incredibly well. As well as you maintain and treat something is what you can expect to get out of it.  Naturally some things are built better, cost more etc.  This engine has been virtually unchanged for 20 years, that says something in terms of how it was designed and operates.  In your specific case, based on all your posts...you bought something that sounds like it was poorly maintained, or poorly treated and as a result you've inherrited trouble. 

The industry has called the GS500 engine "bullet proof" for years ... I doubt that was by accident.

Just my 2 cents.