new rider

[musicmadman666]

I just recently got a bike. Its a 1983 Suzuki Gs650. Ive had a couple of problems since I got it. It doesnt like to stay running. It sometimes backfires and/or dies out completely on me. I got home today and noticed that there was a rubber hose hanging below the engine. I know nothing about bikes. Could this be my problem? Where did it disconect from? How do I fix it? Any help would be awesome. Thanks everybody.

[flynrider]

It depends on what is on the other end of the hose. Bikes often have several hoses hanging below them. It could be the battery vent hose, or a carb overflow hose.

Your best bet is to start with a repair manual. Clymer makes a pretty good one :

http://www.themotorbookstore.com/suzgs192.html

[blues2cruise]

I just recently got a bike. Its a 1983 Suzuki Gs650. Ive had a couple of problems since I got it. It doesnt like to stay running. It sometimes backfires and/or dies out completely on me. I got home today and noticed that there was a rubber hose hanging below the engine. I know nothing about bikes. Could this be my problem? Where did it disconect from? How do I fix it? Any help would be awesome. Thanks everybody.

Got a digital camera???? If so, take a pic so someone can see.

[safety-boy]

...sometimes backfires...

If it is a single-cylinder, that is fairly common.

...a rubber hose hanging below the engine...

Most likely the radiator overflow, if you have a radiator. Puts the boiling coolant on the road instead of your leg in case of an overflow. Prevents your coolant hose from rupturing under normal circumstances (well, normal overheating circumstances).

...It doesnt like to stay running...

Since you did not mention having trouble starting the bike, I will guess the battery and alternator are good. We had an issue on our Suzuki S-40 (a 650cc single cylinder) where the exhaust solenoid froze the exhaust valve in the open position, so there was no compression. If your exhaust valve is sticking, or you are developing a problem with a solenoid, you will have problems getting the engine to run, and eventually a problem getting it to start. When the exhaust valve is always open, the spark just blows the ignited fuel out the exhaust valve without moving the piston. Have a shop do a compression check on your bike. This seems like a likely culprit.

--Dave