I have a 2012 GS that I've managed to get running after it was stolen and vandalised. I've replaced a fair few parts, like indicators, full exhaust, handle bar switches, ignition switch and all the keyed parts and a few other bits. When I got it to start it was quite smoky. This has now ceased but it won't idle properly unless I play with the white dial. The revs are not snapping back either. I have spent probably 30hrs fixing it up, hoping to sell it but now I have this new problem. The cable adjustment is right in, but the end of cable the near the switch block has a piece cracked out. I tried taping it in but it made no difference. The revs will stay high until I turn the dial but after a while it then stalls. I can not get it to consistently idle right, once I roll on some throttle it stays revving high until I play with the dial but the problem then is it will eventually stall.

Get the bike good and hot (20 minute ride) and then adjust the idle according to the manual.

Are you sure you choke is working properly and is switching off when you switch it off? (lots of folks confuse the direction that the chokes work)

its normal behaviour if throttle idle stop is not set right.
vaccum leak if idle stop is right

Quote from: herennow on August 11, 2025, 12:29:39 PMGet the bike good and hot (20 minute ride) and then adjust the idle according to the manual.

Are you sure you choke is working properly and is switching off when you switch it off? (lots of folks confuse the direction that the chokes work)

Idled the bike until it was hit and I was struggling to get my hand in there from the heat. Definitely not confusing the choke. I have another GS in the shed that runs great. This one is even hard to start at times.

It also can't be ridden as it's not registered. The way it's running it's not even rideable I'd say, it would just keep stalling.

I don't suppose you'd have a PDF of the idle adjustment page you could share by any chance?

Quote from: Armandorf on August 11, 2025, 02:32:41 PMits normal behaviour if throttle idle stop is not set right.
vaccum leak if idle stop is right

The throttle cable is set back to 0. I can't get it to go back any less. I'll had its pretty hard to start and it plays up worse when hot. When hot it can be a real mongrel to start.  What's a common place for a vac leak? Is it worth swapping over the carbies?

Check for compression(valve gap) and vaccum leaks. i fuel getting to the bowls, fuel starvation could make a lean mixture also.
plugs color?
carb boots and oring to valve head port are a common point of leak: after the carb and before the intake valve

Thanks @Armandorf . This is starting to sound quite technical. I'm going to need a manual or book it in. I checked comps and thought they were quite low. Last check was 50psi on both sides.

Update, I've managed to get it to idle. However, the throttle is sticking when hot. If I shut it down and fire it back up it will idle, but roll on the throttle and it will stay revving around 3500 revs.

Another quick update, I've booked it in to be looked at and a diagnosis at this stage. They are also going to tell me what it will need to pass a road worthy inspection. Hopefully it's a fairly simple fix. But it's beyond my skill level now, and it needs to be right if I'm to have much hope of it selling. It's come a long way from the right mess it was in when I picked it up. Hopefully I can sell it for what it will owe me.

Dropped the GS500 off to get it running right. Was told it needed a service and that would be about $350 plus the $50 they had already spent diagnosing the problem, which is what I initially asked for. Turns out there is some sort of an issue with carbis that meant it wasn't ready today and I waited in Town all day for it to hopefully be finished. Here's hoping the $400 estimate doesn't go over by much. I already have slim margins and I may not even have a margin if the final bill is much more than expected. Had to be done as it would have been a hard sell if it wasn't running right. Sounding like the issue was not a vac leak as expected but a carbi issue which has turned out to be more complicated than what they initially thought it would be.

So the GS was going fine. They replaced some parts and played with the carbis. However, today the choke is no longer working properly. The cable is attached and the carbi levers are sliding. However, the engine is not increasing revs even with the choke on full, which is making it very hard to start. Hoping it might be something simple I can fix myself while I have the tank off.