[jguarfn28]

Hi Everybody;
I just got a new used GS500 to reacquaint myself with motorcycles after a 20 year absence. I t was part of the plan to keep doubling my displacement as I go. Started in 1974 with a Honda XL125, in 1981 I got a XL250 and now the 500. For the past 2 months it has been my primary transportation as I don’t have the money for a cage. In New Mexico, it’s been pretty cold in the mornings and the GSTwin does take a good 5-7 minutes to warm up. I also use the carb screw under the tank to keep it running until it gets up to temp. I have also had issues with the 3-4K idle at stops, intermittently. I put in some Seafoam and hope that helps. I got the bike used, 3rd owner with only 715 miles on the odometer, its a 2007 model. It currently is up to 1600 and running well after a local shop gave it a good once over. I took it up to Santa Fe from Rio Rancho, about 50 miles each way with snow on the ground and it ran well. I need to get some earplugs for the long rides though. Between the Shoei helmet and the wind noise, my deafness was increased by the trip. It is a heavy bike to me, and I am not a wimp. I wanted a KLR but didn’t want to start out on my tippy-toes relearning how to ride. I highly recommend this bulletproof bike to anyone relearning or starting to ride. MSF is a must have as well and wear a helmet and armor as much as you can afford. I need some boots, the Blundstones are sufficing for now. Sears craftsman mechanic gloves keep me from burning my fingers adjusting the throttle screw when I’m turning it back shut. Stay safe and happy trails.

Rick

[owlie]

Welcome to the forum. Sounds like you have been having some fun. New Mexico is beautiful. I have family up in the scrub land around Raton, and have spent some time down near Carlsbad. I imagine is great being able to take it from mountainous twisties to the wide open spaces.

[Jeff in Kentucky]

A tip for the Sea Foam- unhook the gas line to the carbs, drain the float bowls, and fill them with pure Sea Foam. Then tap on the carbs with the plastic handle of a screwdriver for a few minutes, to try to jar loose any crud. Then let the carbs soak for a couple of days, tap on them some more, and drain the float bowls again, then ride the bike very hard for 100 miles with half a can of Sea Foam in the gas tank, using lots of throttle in the straights. Also, the bottom of the gas tank for a bike that was parked a long time may have some old fuel in it that mixes with the better fuel added new above it.

If this does not work, try cleaning or replacing the float valves and removable jets first, then look up how to boil the carb aluminum parts to clean them, after removing all of the gaskets and other rubber and plastic parts.

I add some Sea Foam to the gas tanks of my vehicles every winter, to preserve the older fuel and to clean parts. My little lawnmower started on the first pull two days ago, with Sea Foam in the gas tank and the engine ran enough in the fall to get the Sea Foam into the carb, after changing the oil and cleaning the air filter- the spark plug was new last spring.

I also took a long break from street riding, from 1985 until 2002, then got back into the motorcycle addiction. I went from a 3.5 horsepower Briggs & Stratton to a 60cc 2-stroke to a 100cc 2-stroke to a 650cc 4-stroke (45 horsepower) to a 600cc 4-stroke with 30 stock horsepower at the back tire, bumped up a little by me later. My next bike will probably also be 600cc, but with 3 times the power and requiring higher octane fuel (Kawasaki ZZR 600).

[Author]

Posts