Hello guys,

    I just got my account approved today and I am glad to join the GSTwins community. I recently bought my '98 GS500 (first bike) two weeks ago and have been wrenching on it pretty consistently. Things that I have done so far include changing front suspension springs and oil, cleaning the front brake caliper, bleeding the brake, changing the brake fluid, changing cracked fuel lines etc. I am really itching to get on this thing.

However, I have two problems to solve before I can get on it. One minor and the other not so minor.

1) I lost the screws to the top of the brake fluid reservoir. They were rusted and half stripped anyway. I currently am rigging it on with two zip ties, which I would rather not do. Does anyone know the screw size?

2) This is the not so minor one. My engine won't start. The starter motor is kicking and I see that gas is in the float bowl after priming it.  The choke is also on.

Where should I begin work to solve this second problem? I have a K&N lunchbox filter on it, but that should not have much an effect with starting the engine should it? I believe that the carbs probably need a good clean since the last time this bike has been inspected/on the road was 3 years ago. The jets might be clogged. Another component that might be part of the problem is the vacuum ports on top of the carbs. I don't get what these vacuum ports are supposed to be for besides to sync the carbs. In either case, one doesn't seem to have a cap, but has a metal rod through it. The other side has a piece of fuel hose with a bolt at the end to plug it up.


If anyone can give me some pointers to these questions, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks a lot. 

edit: Also forgot to mention this. When my and my friend tried spraying a little bit of starter fluid in the carb on the airbox side, we could get it to start and once we put on the throttle, it roared a little bit. So I'm assuming it's not spark plug problems.

Sounds like you guessed the clogged jets already. Clean the carbs properly and make sure you get the jets out and cleaned.
Not sure of the screw size sorry. Mine are stainless steel.

Take a screw out of the rear brake reservior then match it up with new ones.  They should be the same size, I believe.

Go here:

http://wiki.gstwins.com/

Or more specifically here:

http://wiki.gstwins.com/index.php?n=Main.HoseRouting

Make sure the hoses are routed correct.

You could do this before the cleaning of carbs just to try to start her.. otherwise get into the carbs if you are mechanically inclined and have patience with a clean place to work.