Hey guys, so I got myself a 2004 GS500F with about 15k miles(first street bike), I know it a lot but for the $150 I paid for it, couldn't go wrong....So I got it and it didn't run, so cleaned the tank, and carbs, never seen so much varnish on carbs in my life..... anyways, got it running and riding it around the house, everything was working fine. The next day I go out to start it  up and nothing, it will crank and backfire, but just wont start, So iam like, its the carbs, just because how dirty they were, thought maybe there was something I over looked, cleaned them out and out and out, and got nothing. Well at the same time, I was rebuilding my car and dirt bike, just didn't have the time, took it up to the shop, and they wanted $1400 for parts and labor to rebuild the carbs... well after a few words with them I loaded the bike up, and I got a set of carbs online and still nothing, I have spark, compression, and fuel and still wont start....I don't have the right fitting to do a real compression test, ill go try and find one tomorrow, but other then that, does anyone have anything to check?? any ideas? anywhere that I can send the carbs to be rebuild? that wont charge me an arm and leg?


thank you in advance

Where are you located at? I'm know there are places to send to rebuild them, but that is more than brand new carbs cost. And you know you are getting fuel past the carbs? Have you done a float bowl check to make sure that you are getting fuel to the bowls?

Iam in Fayetteville NC, It really cost more to rebuild them??? I was told there should be 2 small O rings under the top cap, But I cant find them, and on both sets of carbs, nither had them

Head over to BoulevardSuzuki.com and find the parts fiche for your carbs - that'll show you what parts were there originally.

Autozone has a loaner tool program that you can use for the compression tester. While you're there, take the battery in for a load test....... 90% of carb problems are electrical.

the battery is brand new... accoreding to the website there is no small oring going under that cap, like for the vaccume port.

make sure you are looking at the correct diagram then. The 04's don't have that oring.

ok, no o ring, I seen 2 one with an o ring(non us ) and then without an oring,

So anyways, after a trip and $45 for a new compression tester, I have zero on both sides.......


So I guess I will be tearing the thing apart and checking everything, where is a good place to get specs? bore size/piston to bore Clarence's yada yada yada?


thanks again to everyone that has posted!!!!!!!

Absolutely zero compression? That's weird...... maybe a valve stuck open or something.

Look at the cost or rebuilding the engine, but keep an eye out for a replacement motor too. They can be had pretty cheap from time to time.

That seems weird to have zero compression. Check your valve clearances and make sure you have the compression tester plugged in right. I used one that had two hoses and had the wrong one connected so it showed zero compression. Also if you haven't already look to buy a manual on these things. They helped me greatly. I also thought about rebuilding mine, which had a main bearing explode in it, but ended up finding a used engine with 1200 miles on it for less than $500 in total it was about 600 for shipping to my house. Even though i had to pay, it seemed to be more worth my time that way.

Zero compression on both sides sounds like not using the tool correctly. Both sides can't die suddenly (well, could but extremely rare).
Remove spark plug and put your thumb over the hole. Feel any pressure when you crank the engine?

$1400 to rebuild carbs is highway robbery. 3 hours labor to remove, clean and re-install at most. There are places that will rebuild your carbs for $100 if you ship them.

yea, I used 2 different testers, same results... 0 both sides, so I had a few beers and tore the motor out, I wish car motors were that easy......... so both sides the exhaust valves are not sealed, I can see light threw both, guessing there just gunked up, I will try to lap them and see if I can get a seal, if not I will take it to a shop and have them recut the seats the piston and piston rings look good, but ill replace them while I have them apart, crank looks fine, no heat marking that I can see, but I haven't spit the case, just the head and jugs. I need to go and get a new valve spring compressor because the one I have isn't right...........

Quote from: adidasguy on October 30, 2013, 11:50:29 AM
Zero compression on both sides sounds like not using the tool correctly. Both sides can't die suddenly (well, could but extremely rare).
Remove spark plug and put your thumb over the hole. Feel any pressure when you crank the engine?

$1400 to rebuild carbs is highway robbery. 3 hours labor to remove, clean and re-install at most. There are places that will rebuild your carbs for $100 if you ship them.

I tried that, had a buddy put his finger over the hole, and nothing, you can feel the air pushing out, but its not strong, and no sucking, which is kinda good, almost lost a finger last time I tried to do that. haha

Ok, so both exhaust valves and one intake valve won't seal, need a new spring compressor, and wait for my manual to come in and I should be set! Thanks everyone for the help

Quote from: hucks1987 on October 31, 2013, 07:59:26 PM
Ok, so both exhaust valves and one intake valve won't seal, need a new spring compressor, and wait for my manual to come in and I should be set! Thanks everyone for the help

You think they could be tight ? You need the suzuki valve tool ? or a valve spring compressor ?
Cool.
Buddha.

yea, I might just get another head, I can get a .004 feeler gauge in one of the valves,  Can you use the large C clamp style valve spring compressor?

You have a bad head ? you know for sure ? The valve adjustnment tool is a little spoon shaped deal.
Cool.
Buddha.

Iam not sure if its a bad head, but if the seats or valves are messed up, then it would just be cheap  to get another head, I have to get a spring compressor first, just haven't had the time, or forget to get one......


Can you point me to a good gasket yet? I checked ebay, but iam not sure if they are any good...

Thanks again

Problem???

Ummm........ what?

Um what... What???