I recently acquired a 92 GS500E that has been sitting in storage for a year and a half.  Before attempting to start it, we bought a new battery, drained the gas and refilled, replaced the Fuel lines and filter and changed the oil and oil filter.  After a bit of urging, she finally fired up and would idle with the choke on full.  We can back off the choke a little bit at a time and can get to the half way point before it dies.  

I wanted to check with you all before I pulled the carb for cleaning in case there are some other things I should check first.

Thoughts?  Any carb rebuilding pitfalls I should be aware of?

Srinrath recomends just running some Yamaha carb cleaner through.
Although, opening the carbs for a proper cleaning is not hard. There is a good tutorial on this site as well as the one by MikeT.
http://www.angelfire.com/mt2/mikesgs500/rejetting/
Also, the screws holding the float bowls on can be a bear to get off the first time. I am drawing a blank on the name of the tool that works good.  It is basicly a screwdriver you hit with a hammer to loosen the screws.

called an IMPACT Driver. not to be congfused with Impact wrench (gun like pnuematic tool)

You may want to screw in the idle adjust a little. (Located between the float bowls in the center of the carbs - Reach in under the carbs with your right hand and you should feel it with your index and middle fingers - It's more of a knob that a screw).  Probably the last time it ran it was adjusted while  it was hot.  Now that it's cold, it needs some more idle screw to keep it running when you back off the choke.  Also, some bikes are just really cold blooded and need some time to warm up.  Usually several minutes of riding upto several miles until you can back the choke off all the way.

And WELCOME to the board.  

Paul

Quote from: Blueknytcalled an IMPACT Driver. not to be congfused with Impact wrench (gun like pnuematic tool)

Yes, Imapct Driver
Thanks, Blue, my mind was such a blank last night.
I think I need to get away from the computer more.

For the Craftsman tool junkie:  Craftsman impact driver

For the financially-challenged: Harbor Freight version

I have completed all the steps neccesary in order to soak my carb in the Yamaha Carb Cleaning Solution except one.  

How do I get the Piston Guide out?  It seems to be very snug and unwilling to slide out.  

Any Advice?

Are you talking about item #40 in this diagram?  The part is angled kinda funny in the diagram.  Think of it as a U-shape with "hooks" pointing outwards at the ends.

You need to push those ends together on the right side of each carb until they will slip into the hole and pull through.

If you're talking about a different part, then forget what I just said.

I am talking about the large plastic piece that #9 slides into.  The part that is supposed to come out after removing Item 31

If you have already unscrewed the main jet (item 31) then you just have to push harder... :dunno:

Wait till you try to put it back IN!   :mrgreen:

You saw the pic I emailed you of it right?

OK, I got it.  Yep, that's the part.  Rather than push, I think I poked a finger or two in from the top and pulled.

The Yamaha Carb Cleaner did its job on the Carburetors and everything is put back together.  There is however one... small.. problem.  The tiny washer that goes on the pilot air screw.  (Between the spring and the o-ring)    PART # 21 on   This Diagram.

Any thoughts or suggestions on what I should do?

What's the problem?

Is it missing / broken?  Does it refuse to stay in place?

The washer is just gone.  I am not sure if omitting it will hamper the fucntion of the pilot.  It will prolly go in fine without the washer, but I fear that without it the spring may casue damage to the o-ring at some point.