Hi all. New to the forum and new to the GS500 ( well, riding one anyway )

Unfortunately, my recent purchase decided it was *not* going to pass emissions..

Failed the Hydrocarbon test by about 220 points  

I haven't gone into it or anything yet, because I need some ideas on where to start. Plugs? Wires? Air filter?

-edit-

Little more info for you guys, since I'm braindead today...

It's a 1989 GS500e.  Bone stock, 17k miles.

Have you looked at what jets are in the carbs? If the bike is leaned out then it should pass. A clean air filter and new plugs will help as well.

Stock exhaust correct?

As far as I know, the entire bike is stock ( exhaust and jets included ).

I haven't torn into at all yet...

Their nice little "Thanks for your money, you fail, we're keeping the cash, move along" pamphlet says to check for :

Ignition System Malfunction, Spark plug malfunction, Ignition wires, Distributor module, Distributor components, Catalytic converter efficiency/air supply, or vacuum leak asusing lean misfire...

Thanks for narrowing it down....

Sorry... little annoyed at the moment... I should be out riding!!!! lol

If there's a chance that the original, 15-year-old paper air filter is still in there, that's where I would start.  Pop it out and see how it looks.

If it looks "yucky" I can send you a nice clean one (2,000 miles at most) for $10 shipped.

I just pulled the air filter ( unfortunately I don't have a deep enough socket to get the plugs ) and it looks like CRAP. Dry as a bone too, shouldn't it be oiled?

Grrr. The one bike shop I know to be open today doesn't have the filter  

Oiled?  Not if it's the stock, white paper filter.  Only if it's a K&N cotton filter or a UNI foam filter or something.

PS - An 18mm open-end wrench works for the plugs.

Also, good quality, clean, new gas will help.

Yah, this one's probably a uni. From the looks of it anyway....

Unfortunately, NOBODY has an air filter in this town. Is it so wrong to ask for one simple litte TINY PART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm starting to get rather irritated... So please forgive my caps...

If I put the current one back in and lean it out, think it'll pass?  :dunno:

whoa, wait, emissions for motorcycles? your kidding right? didnt think any state did emission testing on bikes. inpected to make sure tires,lights,exhaust, brakes,excessive smoke of any kind ok but emissions?

Quote from: TheMasterRatIs it so wrong to ask for one simple litte TINY PART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Apparently so, if it's for a GS500.  ("A what?")  I have had to special-order every single part that was specific to this bike.

Quote from: TheMasterRatIf I put the current one back in and lean it out, think it'll pass?  :dunno:

Hmmm. What's your plan for leaning it out?

Quote from: Blueknytwhoa, wait, emissions for motorcycles? your kidding right? didnt think any state did emission testing on bikes. inpected to make sure tires,lights,exhaust, brakes,excessive smoke of any kind ok but emissions?

Yah, go figure. Welcome to Arizona, land of no fireworks and retirees... :lol:

Here in Utah we've got the no fireworks and the retirees (down in St. George ... we call 'em "snowbirds"), but no motorcycle emissions testing.

Like you said - "go figure".  :dunno:

Quote from: Kerry

Quote from: TheMasterRatIs it so wrong to ask for one simple litte TINY PART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Apparently so, if it's for a GS500.  ("A what?")  I have had to special-order every single part that was specific to this bike.

Quote from: TheMasterRatIf I put the current one back in and lean it out, think it'll pass?  :dunno:

Hmmm. What's your plan for leaning it out?

Well, I apparently lucked out... They've got one at the Suzuki dealer across town ( who I thought would've been closed today ).

So I guess I'm going for a drive.

As far as leaning it out would have gone, just turn in the air/fuel mixture screws... ( unless I'm wrong, which has been known to happen )

Hopefully, the air filter and new plugs fix it, otherwise, I'm out another 11.75 for the test and the bend over price of 30$ for the filter... Such is the price for instant gratification though ( if it works... )

Please let me know if I'm right about leaning it out, as I may still need to do that...

Quote from: TheMasterRat[...]otherwise, I'm out another 11.75 for the test

No retest included in the original price?  Harsh!

Quote from: TheMasterRatPlease let me know if I'm right about leaning it out, as I may still need to do that...

I have never rejetted or messed with my air/fuel mixture screws, but if you DO tweak the screws make sure to jot down the original number of "turns out" beforehand.  (I'm sure you would have; I'm just trying to be thorough.)

Just got back from the dealer with an air filter and two plugs, ace hardware for a missing retaining screw on said air filter, and autozone for an 18mm wrench.

*wonders if he forgot anything*

I believe ( and again I could be wrong ), stock is 3 turns out... If someone could pipe in on that, it'd be much appreciated  :mrgreen:

I hope you used one of the new plugs to make sure 18mm was the right-sized wrench.  

I used an 18mm wrench on Richard's plugs on Saturday, and several times on my own bike, but I didn't know you would be getting new plugs.  I don't know much about variability between brands, etc.

So, here's hoping!  :dunno:

Hydrocarbon's. Burning oil... probably never pass that cos these bike use a ton of oil... I also dont think these will ever pass emmissions, not now, not when new.... They are either looking in the car secion of the damn spec list or somethign is wrong... cos there are people here that hvae these in AZ, onefastvega, ed_in_az and others, and I dont see how any GS will pass emmissions. Something is wrong, and its not you or your GS.
Cool.
Srinath.

Well, in an interesting turn of events.... The plugs in before hand were definitely not new... So good to get those out of the way...

On the highly more aggravating side... A hole has developed in the right side tank ( where it sits on the frame )....

-edit-
Oh yah, and the fluid first started coming at a trickle... of light brown fluid... Rust anyone?    


JB Weld temporary fix??? How much does a tank go for?


-edit-

Kerry, the 18mm worked fine, thanks

If it's a tiny leak...A POR-15 kit (rust remover/tank sealer kit)  will fill it ...and will get rid of the rust that's in there and give the insinde of the tank a new clean finish ...

You could try Por or Kreem to recoat the tank. A new tank is around $550. You are better off buying used.