I made it safely, taking just less than four full days.  Looking back, it probably wasn't the best idea to take my 1995 gs500 that far.  I did run into a mechanical problem (I think) on the way there.  When the enging was running hot, and I was going 85mph or above, the bike would suddenly act like it was starving for air or fuel or something (it could have been losing compression, I don't know) and I would have to quickly get of the road because it wouldn't accellerate or hold the speed.  After pulling over to the side for a few minutes, turning off the gs, and starting it up again it would ride like normal and the same thing wouldn't happen again til hours later or even days.
      I'm wondering if anyone else has had any similar experiences or would know what caused it.  Also, if someone could give me any tips I should consider if I am going to try and start the bike after six months of garaging it (I'm sure it won't just start up).  Lastly, if anyone wants to know what it was like to ride a GS500 over 2000 miles across the country, I'll glady answer any questions.
Thanks!

Quote from: conflicttheoristI did run into a mechanical problem (I think) on the way there.  When the enging was running hot, and I was going 85mph or above, the bike would suddenly act like it was starving for air or fuel or something (it could have been losing compression, I don't know) and I would have to quickly get of the road because it wouldn't accellerate or hold the speed.  After pulling over to the side for a few minutes, turning off the gs, and starting it up again it would ride like normal and the same thing wouldn't happen again til hours later or even days.

Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence on these bikes.  (Search for "fuel starvation".)

The remedies (in order of ease and likelihood of success) seem to be:

1) Leave the frame-mounted petcock in the PRI position.
2) Bypass the frame-mounted petcock entirely by running the RES hose from the fuel tank directly to the lower T-connection between the carbs.  An in-line ON/OFF switch is recommended but optional.
3) In addition to 2, replace the fuel tank-mounted petcock with a Pingel valve.[/list:u]Gotta love those long trips, eh?  (See my website ... link below.)  I mentioned yesterday that my Dad came through Utah this weekend on his way home to Arkansas after riding up to Alaska.  He had gone over 11,000 miles so far, and he had about 1,300 more to go.  We did his 3rd oil change on my driveway yesterday morning!  'Course, he's on a Honda ST1300....  

Thanks for the information.  Wow, those B.C. trips must have been amazing.  You have either forearms of steel or a throttle lock.  Next time I'm definitely getting a throttle lock- I couldn't use my right hand to eat for a week after the ride.  It was a beautiful trip, though.

Quote from: conflicttheoristYou have either forearms of steel or a throttle lock.

Well, kinda.  See my "Throttle Retainer" page.  (This arrangement only works with handlebars that have the welded-in threaded insert, which your 1995 should.)

2000 miles... snore.....  :lol: davipu here rode to west coast from Jacksonville NC (on the atlantic coast) to Portland oregon and back under a week apart. Kerry has some incredible pics of Davipu's bike. Anyway... I'll drain all the gas in the tank and carbs, put some yamaha carb cleaner in gas (just about 1/2 quart gas and 2 cups of cleaner), and put it in the  tank, and fill the carbs with that and sit for 2 days... shaking the bike often. Then drain it all, fill with fresh gas, then of course fresh oil and filter, charge battery or new battery, and take out the spark plugs and put some oil in the cyls and turn the motor over by starter a few times... and oil will squirt out... then put some gas there and let it sit 2-3 hrs and then squirt it out. then new plugs back in and should fire up just fine.
Cool.
Srinath.

Hmm.  You are a GS500 MacGyver.  And that operates by twisting the wing nut?  If I ever decide to go on another trip like that again I might give that a try.  Or I might try a Gold Wing.  

If I had it to do over again, I would probably go with the cheap, "real" throttle lock discussed in the Wanted Throttle Lock thread.

Hey There is actually another way to get a throttle lock... basically free... Take off the throttle and stick duct tape under it on the handle bar. Then have a velcro strap on the grip, one of those that have a metal square ring instead of the strap material.... When you want to lock...move velcro into the middle of the grip and tighten it ... where it should have duct tape under it... and tighten it... then open throttle to desired speed. When you let go it should stay there.
Cool.
Srinath.

Quote from: seshadri_srinathHey There is actually another way to get a throttle lock... basically free... Take off the throttle and stick duct tape under it on the handle bar. Then have a velcro strap on the grip, one of those that have a metal square ring instead of the strap material.... When you want to lock...move velcro into the middle of the grip and tighten it ... where it should have duct tape under it... and tighten it... then open throttle to desired speed. When you let go it should stay there.
Cool.
Srinath.

Kind of like my friends idea to just duct tape my hand to the throttle and then have scissors in my left hand for when I want to take it off. :lol:

Interesting idea, but do you think it would be easy to twist the throttle closed in an emergency?     (I don't know if you've actually rigged up one of these, or if you're just doing a Galilean "thought experiment".) And it sounds even harder to engage than my "retainer".

But almost free ... yes, I'll grant you that one!

Quote from: conflicttheoristKind of like my friends idea to just duct tape my hand to the throttle and then have scissors in my left hand for when I want to take it off. :lol:

Ha ha!  Maybe your friend could re-engineer the clutch lever so it would double as a detachable pair of scissors (or a blade or something).  

Quote from: Kerry
Ha ha!  Maybe your friend could re-engineer the clutch lever so it would double as a detachable pair of scissors (or a blade or something).  

I think it may be a bit dangerous to have myself taped to the bike and have scissors or a blade in the other.  If I were to drop or slide the bike it would be extra messy.  I think my mom said some thing about speed and scissors equalling losing an eye or something.

2000 miles and it took you 4 days?  hahahahahahaha  3100, 56 hours. if anyone thinks they can beat that, let me know I'm always up for a good ride.

I did have that fuel problem you mentioned, I found I could get back up to speed in about 30 seconds if I hid the choke and dropped a gear.  I'd run it down to about 2000 rpms as I pulled over to the side of the road.  I'd open the tank, close it and she'd fire right up. for me it was a vapor lock problem from leaning on the filler cap.  solution don't lean on filler cap.

Quote from: KerryIf I had it to do over again, I would probably go with the cheap, "real" throttle lock discussed in the Wanted Throttle Lock thread.

Until I installed my bar-end mirrors (in place of the bar end wieghts on my 2001) I used the large "O" ring as illustrated in: http://www.magicookie.com/bikes/throttlelock/  Since then I installed a Vista-Cruise throttle lock like this: http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/detail.cfm?model_ID=4&Category_ID=10&manufacturer_ID=291&product_ID=9481  Bought mine from a local independent shop -

Frankly, the "O" ring trick worked very well - cheap and un-obtusive.

Quote from: davipu2000 miles and it took you 4 days?  hahahahahahaha  3100, 56 hours. if anyone thinks they can beat that, let me know I'm always up for a good ride.

It was actually 2300 the route I went and it took about 40 hours of riding with pit sopts included.  But I will never, ever try that again.  I did 15 hours of riding on the third day and was so tired that I couldn't even hold the bike up when I stopped at a motel.  I just dropped it straight to the ground.  The only reason I was able to continue the next day was pecause the place had a hot tub.  I am not kidding when I say I couldn't use a fork with my right hand for over a week.  I repeat:  Never, never again unless I get a Gold Wing with a throttle lock, a radio, and a cup holder.