Hey all,

Fairly new to motorcycle basic maintenance so bear with me. Today I decided to put in new spark plugs, a new battery, and a new air filter into my trusty GS500e. Everything went well along the way, or so I thought.

Once I got the bike back together again, I primed the carb and got the engine started. The new air filter allowed for a much smoother start from cold! So I figured I'd go out and give it a test ride, rolled backwards out of the garage in neutral, kicked up the side stand, put it in first and boom, it immediately stalls. It revs completely normally (outside of a very occasional short lag from around 2/3.5k rpms), but just totally quits when you put it in gear. I tried lubing the side stand button but no luck and it appears to be engaging just fine. Any thoughts?

We need more information, more detail. At this point it's impossible to tell if this is a new problem you did not have earlier, or if it's simply that you are a new rider who is a bit uncertain about taking off.

If it immediately stalls when put into gear it is 100% the fault of the side-stand switch.

Either the switch itself is bad or the side-stand spring is inadequate.

Quote from: user11235813 on November 26, 2018, 08:24:24 PM
We need more information, more detail. At this point it's impossible to tell if this is a new problem you did not have earlier, or if it's simply that you are a new rider who is a bit uncertain about taking off.

Nope it's definitely not my user error here. Was not having the problem before I did the tune-up. I'm speculating side stand switch electronics but am not sure how to test the wiring for it.

Quote from: Watcher on November 26, 2018, 09:02:36 PM
If it immediately stalls when put into gear it is 100% the fault of the side-stand switch.

Either the switch itself is bad or the side-stand spring is inadequate.

That's my thought too. I put it on the center-stand, pressed the switch button all the way in with my thumb, and still had the issue. At this point I'm thinking I accidentally bumped something during the install of the battery or air filter. Any tips on side stand switch electronics?

Quote from: zkatancik on November 26, 2018, 09:49:11 PM
Any tips on side stand switch electronics?

Not specifically.  Trace the wires to see if the connector is seated.  You might be able to shunt the connector to see if that "fixes" the problem.  If the "fix" works, order a new switch.

Quote from: Watcher on November 26, 2018, 09:56:58 PM

Not specifically.  Trace the wires to see if the connector is seated.  You might be able to shunt the connector to see if that "fixes" the problem.  If the "fix" works, order a new switch.

Thanks for the advice! I'll fiddle around with the ohmmeter and the manual to see what's working and what's not. Will let you all know if I figure anything out.

Any ideas on what in the world a batter change and an air filter change would do to trigger this?

Put the bike on the centre stand and have it in gear. First get your ear very close to the side stand switch and when you push it in can you hear a faint 'click'? If no then it sounds like a mechanical switch failure.

Otherwise with the side stand closed, and the bike in gear, hold the clutch in and see if the bike will start.

I would have thought this switch would be bullet proof as it has to suffer so much punishment and a failure could ruin your day. I'm thinking there must be another electronic part where if the neutral light is not lit, then that would also disable the circuit?

Quote from: user11235813 on November 26, 2018, 10:40:33 PM

Put the bike on the centre stand and have it in gear. First get your ear very close to the side stand switch and when you push it in can you hear a faint 'click'? If no then it sounds like a mechanical switch failure.

Otherwise with the side stand closed, and the bike in gear, hold the clutch in and see if the bike will start.

I would have thought this switch would be bullet proof as it has to suffer so much punishment and a failure could ruin your day. I'm thinking there must be another electronic part where if the neutral light is not lit, then that would also disable the circuit?

Thanks so much for the test! I turned the battery on, shifted to first, lowered the side stand while on its center stand and listened for the click while pressing in the switch with my thumb. Unfortunately not getting a click of any sort so I imagine it's mechanical.

The bike won't start in first with the clutch in.

I had the same problem lately (well, when it was still riding weather). If it's not the centre stand switch, you might want to check the clutch lock-out switch on the left handlebar. I guess the one prong keeps you from starting the bike with the clutch in, the other makes sure the bike stalls when you put it in gear.  I put some dielectric grease on the connectors and crimped them a bit tighter, it fixed it okay.

Still not sure why it only stalled when dropping it into first right after starting it up, but not second or third (etc) or when taking off again at a stop sign, but I stopped caring, as long as it didn't happen again.

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=72681.0;attach=3337;image

The side stand connector and others use to be located near to the battery!!!! check if all are properly connected