Engine Problem/Almost Wiped Out

Yeah, I had to change the battery the first spring I took the bike out of the garage in 2009. Changed the one I got with the bike in the fall of 2008 (don't know how long the previous owner had it for). Now this is the battery I'm having issues with. Is that a normal lifespan for a motorcycle battery (can't remember the brand)?

A battery even well maintained last me about 3 seasons. However I have had ones that crap out after only a year or so. They are weird things at times. A yuassa lasted me two seasons while one time I had a crappy tire battery and it went strong for 5 seasons, go figure.

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A battery even well maintained last me about 3 seasons. However I have had ones that crap out after only a year or so. They are weird things at times. A yuassa lasted me two seasons while one time I had a crappy tire battery and it went strong for 5 seasons, go figure.

Not too bad then, for a almost no-name battery.

Ok, so I just popped a new 4 cells Ballistic EVO2 Battery. The bike now starts with almost no choke from cold and the engine seems to sound deeper.

The bike still started to stutter on 2nd gear and stalled when I down shifted (even before I released the clutch). I tried to open the tank right after to check for the suction as suggested in an earlier post, but nothing happened.

The bike would not start again until I switched to PRI. When on prime, the bike seems to run just fine. What's weird is that it never did this before 2 weeks ago.

I can try the SeaFoam treatment, but anything further than that exceeds my current skills.

Well, that's my story so far.
SD
 
Not too bad then, for a almost no-name battery.

Ok, so I just popped a new 4 cells Ballistic EVO2 Battery. The bike now starts with almost no choke from cold and the engine seems to sound deeper.

The bike still started to stutter on 2nd gear and stalled when I down shifted (even before I released the clutch). I tried to open the tank right after to check for the suction as suggested in an earlier post, but nothing happened.

The bike would not start again until I switched to PRI. When on prime, the bike seems to run just fine. What's weird is that it never did this before 2 weeks ago.

I can try the SeaFoam treatment, but anything further than that exceeds my current skills.

Well, that's my story so far.
SD

Ahhhh ... okay. I think the petcocks are a weak point on GS500s, you're probably looking at rebuilding yours. Check the vacuum line between the petcock and the carb boot first, though, make sure it's tight and doesn't have any cracking.
 
Sure sounds like it's fuel starvation of one sort or another. It sucks that you paid good money for a 'tune-up' (when it was already running fine before) just to have them screw something up. That said, I suppose it could be a coincidence in timing, either with some dirty gas or something dislodged in the tank from a 'cleaner' that also probably wasn't required. If bikes (even 20 year old ones) are put away properly, they don't need all this attention. It is make work for the shops. Before you do anything else, I would carefully lift the tank, a 1/4 inch at a time with thicker and thicker blocks (or have someone hold it) and use a power light to look under the edges. Try to confirm the routing of the hoses before you do this so u know where to look. I recommend doing this at night, with as little background light as possible so the flashlight you are using will be the only light around. It's easier this way to spot a pinched, or kinked line. The fact that it runs on PRI sorta helps confirm the need to at least rule out this 'free' check by yourself. And as someone has suggested, confirm there is no cracked lines as that is possible on a 20 yr old bike.

Your meter is probably not a load tester per se. (altho - see below). It looks like an analogue volt/amp meter. They actually are easier to read while watching during a load test (while starting the engine right?) than an electronic multimeter as they read out faster. Same for when you are checking amp draw, except that few old analogue meters check greater than 400 mlA so not that useful around a bike for lighting or heavier circuits.
So ya, your meter can help load test the battery while starting which will tell you something as to the condition of the battery or the charging circuit to restore it after a start, but it will not induce a load on the battery on its own, which is what many mean when they talk about load testing a battery. That type of tester is not cheap, and is why most will remove a battery and take it into a shop for a free test. BUT! beware of those tests also if they don't know what they are doing as they can kill a battery that normally wouldn't have failed for 2 or more years yet.

My sealed battery is original, but is cared for. (kept charged over the winter, with an electronic 2 amp charger, (but not left on even tho it is an auto). I also keep the battery clean between the terminals. I do not run extra high draw lighting (just a few lo draw LED's) I recommend you undo the neg wire over the winter. Or if not, and u have an alarm and the alarm to work, then you need an auto charger (like a CTEK) full time. Alarms on monitor pull a lot of juice and could kill your 2.5 year battery with a few other things working against you like mentioned above.

Keep the top clean though, this helps a lot. And if it is not sealed battery, then others here can fill you in on caring for those...I have to run here right now...but never over fill, just always keep the plates covered plus a small amount more, and always use known distilled water..very important. I know u bought a new battery, but just so u know for it..
 
Re: locking rear wheel
Forgot to mention (and for anyone else this might happen to):
Pull in the clutch!
You must always cover the clutch in case something like this occurs unexpectedly.

Or learn how to maintain control in a skid. I'd imagine pulling in the clutch could result in a high-side crash or tank-slapper, if you're not tracking fairly straight.
 
Or learn how to maintain control in a skid. I'd imagine pulling in the clutch could result in a high-side crash or tank-slapper, if you're not tracking fairly straight.

That was my concern at the time. Since I was already skidding, I thought that pulling the clutch would release the wheel in a diagonal position. At least I now know I can keep the bike straight in skidding conditions. Well, at least that time...

Ahhhh ... okay. I think the petcocks are a weak point on GS500s, you're probably looking at rebuilding yours. Check the vacuum line between the petcock and the carb boot first, though, make sure it's tight and doesn't have any cracking.

Jackpot my friend. I took the bike to the shop yesterday (running on PRI) and according to my description he seems to agree with you. Of course I'll know more once he actually looks at it.

I'll post the results to close the loop, but in the meantime I want to thank all of you guys for the help/tips/info.

Cheers!

Closing comments: Turns out there was some dirt buildup in the hose connecting to the ON position of the petcock. PRI and RES were not as bad, so that's why I could make it home on either of those positions. Case closed, thanks again everyone.
 
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