SOOKIE '99 GS500e

[qcbaker]

...
I can't get the bike to run properly atm though, very very low idle, and as soon as I touch the throttle it cuts out.

Sound like its running really rich if you ask me.

[the_63]

...
I can't get the bike to run properly atm though, very very low idle, and as soon as I touch the throttle it cuts out.

Sound like its running really rich if you ask me.

I'm inclined to agree with you. It's better now I've fitted the fuel tank and not just pouring fuel down the hose but it's very sluggish on the throttle, and that's when it's in neutral. needs a little fine tuning and maybe some new plugs

Chris

[the_63]

My carbs were set at 3 1/4 turns out, so I set them to 2 as a starting point. It runs...last time I was in this position it was really unresponsive and topping out at about 40mph so I took it out for a test run. Throttle response is sick, it's powerful, fast and I've never had it run so sweet. Then it started to judder like it needed to be switched to reserve and it stalled before I could switch it. I put it on reserve and it wouldn't start again. It sounded so weak, like the battery was flat.

Had to walk it nearly all the way home, luckily I live at the bottom of a decent hill, so I putt it in gear and freewheeled down the hill, popped the clutch and off we went, 200 yards to my house. I cut the engine, tried to start it again but it was dead again. I've plugged it in in the garage to charge overnight. I'm hoping the battery is just flat but I've got a feeling the battery isn't charging while the engine is running. It just started right back up while it's plugged into the mains.

Going to try again tomorrow. But if it happens again I'm calling the breakdown guys, not trudging it the mile home like earlier. I'm cream crackered!!

Chris

[the_63]

Took the bike out again and it was struggling. So I set the idle mixture to 2 3/4 turns, and it was idling at about 2.5k, so adjusted the idle adjuster to between 1k-1.5k. Haven't retested it yet, I'm too tired from pushing it round all weekend!

Chris

[qcbaker]

Get the battery load tested. If its good, look into replacing some of the charging system components.

[ajensen]

I have never had a motorcycle that needed so much work and so many parts. You need to write a book.

[the_63]

I have never had a motorcycle that needed so much work and so many parts. You need to write a book.

Neither have I!

Chris

[ShowBizWolf]

Chris, anything new with Sookie? How's it goin?

[the_63]

Nothing yet I'm afraid, still trying to figure out why she won't run properly.

Chris

[the_63]

I have a tiny update:

I took the valve cover off and checked the timing which was off by one tooth. I also noticed that the vacuum hose on the frame petcock was kinked. I corrected the camshafts and reinforced the vacuum hose and I got it to run.

It's backfiring occasionally so I think it's the carb mixture screws. A little bit of fine tuning and I think it should be back to good. Can't take it out right now, I have to get ready to go to placement.

Chris

[the_63]

Not happy at the moment! Just took Sookie out for a quick blast around the block and the bike is going well. got home and was excited to ride into placement in the morning. Putting the bike back in the garage I realised that I've routed the throttle cable incorrectly 

So I've given up

Chris

[ShowBizWolf]

Omg no don't give up!!!!

[the_63]

Omg no don't give up!!!!

I rode to placement anyway. I'll fix it eventually.

Chris

[the_63]

Been a long time...

I have some exciting news, I now have an R6 shock to go in. Just saving up for a replacement exhaust, going to get a carbon fibre, slash cut Delckavic slip on from eBay. £200. Then when everything is in and collected I plan on switching the swing arm, fitting the bandit 400 hugger, fitting the new rear shock and replacing the exhaust.

Just about to have a tinker and give the bike a run, get it ready to hit the roads again

Chris

[ShowBizWolf]

Awesome update!!! Make sure to take pics

[the_63]

Time for an update!!!!

So this weekend has been a bank holiday, 3 day weekend YO! So there has been some day drinking, and since splitting up with my partner I have been struggling to find positive things to focus on. Yesterday (Sunday 6th) I got all kinds of drunk, and seeing as how the electronic "F" tachometer upgrade I'd been planning doesn't seem like it's going to work, I have turned my focus to what I'm better at (not good at mind you!)

I removed the rear tyre, silver swing arm, GS500 stock shock (after mauling the top mount nut  )  and replaced with the black "F" swingarm I bought to replace the stock one, and even fitted the replacement R6 shock. I have hit an issue, I obviously need a angle grinder (obvious if you've considered the R6 swap and seen the slipperymongoose video on Youtube) to remove some of the material on the new swingarm to prevent the R6 shock from hitting).

I currently have the black swingarm fitted, the R6 shock fitted (finger tight) and the dogbones wont't bolt in because the shock is hitting.

I have started to modify the bandit hugger to fit, but obviously it won't go until the swingarm has been altered and the new shock mounted.

Well, that's it...

Chris

[ShowBizWolf]

I ended up here after replying in the Hugger thread lol.

Ugh, sorry to hear about the split up... I am no stranger to the sad blanket that can cover everything when stuff like that happens. Went through a pretty dark time just a few months ago and like that unfortunately. I've found that concentrating on my bike really does help... and yes of course, some beverages !

When I fitted the R6 shock, it looked at first like I'd have to grind the swingarm too... but I'm trying to remember what order I bolted everything up in... cuz IIRC, there was a way to bolt things into place but not tighten anything down... and it lined everything up correctly. It wasn't until I installed the shorter dogbones to raise the tail of the bike that I had to do some grinding.

Idk if that will help or not but I figured I'd share anyway. Awesome update!!!

[the_63]

To be honest with you Brit, I've decided that between the youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_0gnFaONfY and your 400 bandit hugger post http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=71283.0 that I can't really add anything to it. I'll post update pictures when everything is completed, but truth is Soookie will soon be up for sale 

I'm having to move back in with my parents over the summer and will not be able to keep her when I do. Will be gutted to see her go, but I'm hoping to get her purring like a kitten and to a standard that it will make a great second bike for someone out there.

Chris

[cbrfxr67]

where pics? 




Sorry to hear you're going to let it go.

[the_63]

Well, it's been forever since I visited!

I moved back in with my parents (booo), kept the bike (yay). I still haven't bought the exhaust I was planning on 3 years ago and the price has increased by £115 

I moved back out and away again, left the bike behind because it wasn't running, with the intent on tinkering when I visited my parents and then taking it back once it passed the mot. Then COVID-19...

I got caught up in unimportant tinkering while I was living with my parents, replacing rusty nuts and bolts which was utterly pointless. Ive rebuilt both calipers again, this time with all new everything including new pistons and pads, replaced the front and rear rotors and bolts, sealed the inside of the tank and replaced chicken neck and seals and replaced the airbox with a K&N lunchbox. That's why I'm here tbh, to find out what jets I'll need.

My next big spend is going to be a slip-on muffler so it will hopefully get through an MOT. The mounting bracket on the exhaust has kind of spread out with rust and theres a gaping hole in the top of the exhaust so it must be replaced. Won't be with what I really want, but I'm eager to get the bike on the road again, I haven't been on a bike in over three years 

Future projects will include
-replacing the stanchions because they have some pitting and rust and it makes more sense to me to replace them than keep replacing the seals, and while I'm at it progressive springs will probably be a good idea too.
-depending on how the carbs react to the new air filter, I will either need to re-jet, or I'll just switch back to the airbox and just pout about it 
-change the footpegs for something a little nicer
-get the fender, tank and tail wrapped
-recover the seat

Then I believe I will be satisfied.

I hope you're all keeping safe and well. Until next time

Chris