2007 Suzuki GS500F trouble

S

SmoothBiker

New member
I have an issue with my 2007 GS500F that I have been trying to figure out for a while now. I could not solve the issue and finally made an account to see if someone with expertise or experience can help me figure this out.

I bought the bike and stored it underground. Being a newbie I did not stabilize my gasoline (I know big mistake for a carbed bike). When I started riding (after oil and filter change) Initially The bike will ran fine for a while. After a few weeks, I take it to high speeds (>100 km/h) and when I come to a slow speed, the engine light comes and and the bike stalls and shuts off. I check the engine and the dipstick shows low oil level, I fill up a little but the bike wont run normal until the engine has cooled down. This has happened more than once. I dont know what the problem is with this bike. I am afraid I paid for a lemon (it was my first bike) it has around 29000 miles on it.

Recently, the bike does not start. The battery is fine and the lights come on but when I start the engine, it does not start. When its hot ill hear a loud popping sound and the bike will not start. What is the issue, im hoping it is a spark plug issue rather than a starter issue. Please help!
 
SmoothBiker said:
I have an issue with my 2007 GS500F that I have been trying to figure out for a while now. I could not solve the issue and finally made an account to see if someone with expertise or experience can help me figure this out.

I bought the bike and stored it underground. Being a newbie I did not stabilize my gasoline (I know big mistake for a carbed bike). When I started riding (after oil and filter change) Initially The bike will ran fine for a while. After a few weeks, I take it to high speeds (>100 km/h) and when I come to a slow speed, the engine light comes and and the bike stalls and shuts off. I check the engine and the dipstick shows low oil level, I fill up a little but the bike wont run normal until the engine has cooled down. This has happened more than once. I dont know what the problem is with this bike. I am afraid I paid for a lemon (it was my first bike) it has around 29000 miles on it.

Recently, the bike does not start. The battery is fine and the lights come on but when I start the engine, it does not start. When its hot ill hear a loud popping sound and the bike will not start. What is the issue, im hoping it is a spark plug issue rather than a starter issue. Please help!
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first off, welcome to the site.

can't really offer out advice on the engine situation... losing that much oil is absurd though. Is there any sign of a leak anywhere? are you sure you filled it up enough after the oil and filter change (~3 litres)?

your current problem sounds like a low battery to me, the popping sound is the starter. try charging it up
 
An initial guess...you may have varnished idle jets or pilot jets. These are very small holes in your carbs that regulate intake gas mixture at idle. They typically clog when a bike is stored incorrectly from fuel evapourating and leaving a gummy varnish. You can try cleaning it with Seafoam, an additive designed to breakdown varnish. But if that doesn't work you'll have to disassemble the carbs and clean them with carb cleaner on a bench. You can try simply increasing your idle speed a bit..it could be alright at first and then drops a little when it gets hot. It might be the issue in itself or it might help with the jet issue until you can get them cleaned up.

The oil thing is interesting. You shouldn't have to add much oil over the course of an oil change interval. That is, you shouldn't be adding more than 1L per 5000kms, although that could be "normal". Your bike is oil cooled to some degree so if you have a serious oil loss issue your bike could be overheating. How much oil are you having to add? If it's on the order of a litre every thousand or so kms, you have to ask where that oil is going.
 
invictus43 said:
The oil thing is interesting. You shouldn't have to add much oil over the course of an oil change interval. That is, you shouldn't be adding more than 1L per 5000kms, although that could be "normal". Your bike is oil cooled to some degree so if you have a serious oil loss issue your bike could be overheating. How much oil are you having to add? If it's on the order of a litre every thousand or so kms, you have to ask where that oil is going.
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shoulda mentioned my oil consumption in my first post... I lose about 1 litre per 3000km. I remember reading that Suzuki says anything up to 1L/2000km is considered "acceptable" for the GS. But even when my bike was leaking out of the magneto cover gasket AND the clutch pushrod seal I never lost as much oil as he is claiming, and I've never had the check engine light come on
 
tricky said:
shoulda mentioned my oil consumption in my first post... I lose about 1 litre per 3000km. I remember reading that Suzuki says anything up to 1L/2000km is considered "acceptable" for the GS. But even when my bike was leaking out of the magneto cover gasket AND the clutch pushrod seal I never lost as much oil as he is claiming, and I've never had the check engine light come on
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BMW and some other manufacturers consider 1L/1000kms normal. That seems excessive to me.. :-) However..they'll say that's normal and nothing is wrong with the engine (that they will warranty). Many M3 owners were upset with their oil consumption...
 
Thanks for the replies. The battery is new. Bought it in April 2012. Do you think I need to change the plugs?

Invictus, you may be right. However, having no access to a mechanic, I youtube'd how to clean the carbs/jets for my bike. It is do able but putting it back together is where I dont think I can do. I also tried the seafoam suggestion but my bike is not starting recently so I have not gotten a chance to ride it. Once I can get the bike to start I can run the seafoam through the carbs.

Regarding the issue of adding oil to the engine, I added 1 L but once I did another oil change very recently (synthetic this time) More than 4 L came out of the bike. That means that the oil is not being burnt or leaked, I dont know where the oil is going. It is very strange and I havent gotten the chance to take my bike out after the oil change due to it not starting.
 
where are you located, SmoothBiker? I might be able to lend a hand if you'd like..

I've been inside the carbs before. It's not hard at all, just get a Hayne's manual and take your time and you'll do fine... The only thing you need to be careful of is stripping the heads of the 8 or so carb screws.. it's almost impossible not to. everyone does. I had to cut flat heads into them with a dremel and cutting disk.

If you've been starting the bike repeatedly (read: stalling) the battery could be dead.. I ran mine dead when I got the bike :D
 
tricky said:
If you've been starting the bike repeatedly (read: stalling) the battery could be dead.. I ran mine dead when I got the bike :D
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One of the unfortunate things with beginner mechanics is that things tend to snowball and then they get discouraged and start thinking the bike is complete crap. :-) Trying to start..battery dies..all downhill. Beginners (not you tricky) need to keep in mind that things like the battery dying are normal when cranking for hours and not let that cloud the true issues.
 
Try push-starting the bike. And how are you checking the oil, is it on the side stand when you check it?
 
Just to be sure. You do downshift when slowing down right?

And when starting, the bike is in neutral (and possibly the kickstand is up.)?

I'd also suggest getting a volt meter to make sure your battery is charged and pumping out the correct values (the lights still come on if the battery is almost drained, but the bike won't start. lights shut off is battery is completely dead.)

Also: does it have a HID lights?

And try bump/push starting it as others mentioned.


ALSO: if you do go into the carbs on this bike, make sure you buy replacement screws and have a dremal. The screws Suzuki use on the carbs are JIS (Japanese International Standard. its basically like a phillips head, but its made to not cam out; thus a phillips head WILL damage/strip it if its screwed in tight (which they are). Combined with the softness of the metal used in the screws, it will strip.) You basically need to cut a slot to make it a slot/flat head screw, or get a special JIS screw driver to take it out.
Some people also pinch it with pliers and unscrew them, or buy and use a screw removal tool.

It is suggested to replace the screws, instead of buy stock or reusing them so you don't have to go through a whole lot a trouble every time you take the carbs apart.
 
Sabex said:
Just to be sure. You do downshift when slowing down right?

And when starting, the bike is in neutral (and possibly the kickstand is up.)?

I'd also suggest getting a volt meter to make sure your battery is charged and pumping out the correct values (the lights still come on if the battery is almost drained, but the bike won't start. lights shut off is battery is completely dead.)

Also: does it have a HID lights?

And try bump/push starting it as others mentioned.


ALSO: if you do go into the carbs on this bike, make sure you buy replacement screws and have a dremal. The screws Suzuki use on the carbs are JIS (Japanese International Standard. its basically like a phillips head, but its made to not cam out; thus a phillips head WILL damage/strip it if its screwed in tight (which they are). Combined with the softness of the metal used in the screws, it will strip.) You basically need to cut a slot to make it a slot/flat head screw, or get a special JIS screw driver to take it out.
Some people also pinch it with pliers and unscrew them, or buy and use a screw removal tool.

It is suggested to replace the screws, instead of buy stock or reusing them so you don't have to go through a whole lot a trouble every time you take the carbs apart.
Click to expand...

i use a torque wrench and tap in the screw with a hammer and then hold it in tight off it comes no damage to screws. i have taken in off a dozen times.

OP i would start by cleaning your carbs, getting new plugs and checking the battery out with a multimeter
 
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