Hello all, I'm new here, just picked up a 1975 Xs500...I don't know why. We got it for the wife to learn on. The bike starts, will run but won't idle. It promptly dies if you let go of the throtle. Its not in bad shape for being 30+ years old but I have a mound of work ahead of me. I think it has the original tires!!

Any tips, tricks, warnings, condolances will be greatly appreciated, thanks

KInd of a delayed reply, but I've just joined the club. I would guess that the carburetor pilot jets are blocked with 30+ years of varnish and crud. Quickest fix is to remove the float bowls, then unscrew the main jet and idle jet. Clear all the tiny holes in these jets by spraying carb cleaner through them. Watch out , avoid exposure of any o-rings to carb cleaner. I'm not sure if you can do all this with the carbs on, you may have to remove them.