Mechanical questions/issues about my new old '98 gs500
 

Hey, haven't posted in a while, but I moved to Israel for 5 months to volunteer and will likely return for a while more so I bought a motorcycle. Picked up a 1998 Suzuki gs500e with about 84,000 km on it. The bike is in great shape and runs fairly well and the engine is very clean as well... but I do have a couple problems that I think and hope are minor and maybe some of you other guys on here that know bikes might be able to help me out....TIA

Horn
It's just squeaking a little sometimes, maybe 10%, specifically when I am accelerating in 1st. I think it's just some loose wires to clean up but maybe a bad horn also? After playing with the contacts a little the button stopped honking the horn altogether.

Engine/Idle/Choke
It is finicky to put the choke on, when I do it revs up high to 4-5k and even when i take the choke back off it still revs this high. It has stalled a couple times specifically after I get on it and ride it for the first 1km...maybe it didn't heat up enough but when i come from a stop out of like 4th gear it will stall just once. It happened today and I gave it roughly 10 minutes to warm up..keeping in mind I'm in Tel Aviv and it's 70-80 degrees. It idles slight bumpy within a 500-700 rpm range...from 1,000-1700 I think. After it heats up longer though it idles fairly well at 1,200. I have tried to play with the idle but it's finicky as well.

Ignition/Keys
I lost a key tonight on the way home. It came out when going over a bump. When I got home I had to run up and grab the other key to turn the bike off (now I only have 1). Basically the key can be pulled out at any moment, however to turn it off a key must be present. The ignition will not turn without the key so I am at least happy about that but if the bike is on and running normally you cannot pull the key out, this is not the case on my '98. I'm wondering if there is a quick fix or if I would need a whole new lock assembly..if so idea on price if I had someone purchase in USA and ship it to me?


Again thanks to any thoughts you might have...

I have no idea on any of the problems you mentioned, but I have a gs500e also! my ignition is a pain in the ass to turn on, I have to struggle with it for a while because it gets stuck. Also I am experiencing the same problem with it having trouble starting up and you having to choke it. It's very common in gs500s.

?????

If they key isn't turning, just get some graphite lube or worst case WD-40(works but doesn't last too long). If this doesn't solve it, get new keys cut at a dealer by the vin because there is no point in tracing a worn key. Not sure what would cause the key to not lock in place while running but since you know this is an issue I would always carry a spare in my wallet/passport.

As far as starting/choke... are the carbs clean? Also would run some fuel injector cleaner/sea foam though it just for kicks. That stuff does wonders to bikes. Another thing to check out would be some cable lube. Choke, throttle cables(usually 2), clutch, ect need to be lubed. You can buy special lube with a needle on the end to lube. It could just be binding. Also make sure the tension on everything is set correctly.

New cylinder and/or key.

been running much better...have just been taking they key out when riding it. will take it to the shop to have a tune up on the engine for a mere 100 shekels (ILS) which is only $27.

On another note, a newer cbr here is like 90,000 ILS which is over 23k for a bike at home you guys can buy for under 10k....it's mainly because of taxes

bump....another couple issues

its idling ok and then after riding it for a while it starts to idle high around 2k-3k. i adjust the idle down to 1500 approx and by the next time i stop its idling again at 3k sometimes even higher. anyone have ideas as to what might be causing this?

another issue..


i was on the highway and it stalled out and basically stopped getting fuel...the tank was 75% full and i switched to reserve position (i think, i guess its possible it was in reserve position to start then i moved it to primary but this is not my guess). after switching to "reserve position" it started right up and i have not had the same problem since, but have also not moved the switch since then. are there two fuel pumps/lines/etc that maybe one went bad....should i replace or can i get by like this without serious risk of breaking down, etc


again TIA for any thoughts and advice!

is your throttle sticking?

I know its not really related but my old audi used to stick.. after giving it gas for a bit the thottle will stick a bit open.... that was a fun drive home..

nah not really a problem... although it probably wouldnt hurt to lubricate/replace the line...im more concerned with the other problems

What recent work has been done and how many miles... or KM since your overseas?

as far as i know nothing major, ive recently replaced the brakes and chain however....it has about 86,000 km on it....in overall great shape....visually and mechanically all seems normal except when this problem occurs

Might wanna rebuild/clean the carbs, maybe have the valves adjuster. New filters and fluids if you didn't already do this. I would also do new plugs just because it is cheap and makes a world of difference.

Are you sure the bike stopped getting fuel or could it of lost spark, not good AFR mix in the carb, ect.

Does it have one or two petcocks? With older bikes I have seen petcocks jam up from the crap that would settle in them over the decades. Also fuel filter would be another quick thing to check but all in all I would get the carb/carbs rebuilt new floats and such might make world of difference

VIN number for motorcycles does not refer to the key code. Ive been down that road before. If you dont have the original key code, theres nothing they can do.