No power to starter on 81' GS1100e

[Guest]

So I picked up this 81' GS1100E with 19,000 miles on the odometer for $300 recently. It's been sitting under a tarp outside since last ran in 2014 just long enough to show city code enforcement that it's in working order because of a pesky neighbor complaining about a few vehicles parked on the property. Prior to that it had been sitting since 2004...at least this is the story the seller told me which seemed believable.
This is a whole nother issue but he said he owned it a year when it developed an engine noise which is when he parked it, covered it and forgot about it. I need to get it around to starting status so I can hear what it is he was describing and go from there.
I popped an extra bike battery in it just to see if I could bump the starter to make sure that was at least in working order. All the lights work as well as all the idiot lights on the dash although the horn and starter button do not. To clarify I did fully engage the clutch as well as open the headlight bucket and bypass the clutch switch all together, the kill switch is in the run position and the ignition fuse seems to be intact. When I get time I will open the run/kill switch to inspect but is there any other obvious things to eliminate?
I will be learning about this bike as I work on it, I owned an 81' 750E for 2 years back in the late 80's and loved the bike. I have been looking for a cool old bike to use as a rider and am excited about this one. Thanks for the welcome to the site and any opinions and advice along the way!
Here's the pic the seller had in his Craigslist ad from 04' when he first bought it....I'll post a pic of it as I went and looked at it, there was a difference in appearance but its cleaning up quite nicely.

 

[Guest]

How it looked under the tarp...fuel tank is a third full and clean as a whistle inside although the petcock is stuck in on position. Surprisingly tires held air and are still up 3 weeks later.

 

[Redman]

Good that you know about the clutch interlock switch.

WHen you say "no power to the starter" is that because you didnt hear any grunting-turning...? Or did you measure with a meter....?

Any click at all?

If have meter, also measure at the small wire on the side of the solenoid when push the starter button....

Hasnt run in 4 years, and 10 years before that...... makes me wonder about the gas in tank and carb bowls, and condition of the cylinder walls and such.

 

[Big T]

Jump the starter relay with a screwdriver and see if the starter turns.
In the meantime, dribble some Marvel Mystery oil into the cylinders via the spark plug holes
Then, test the starter relay trigger wire while pressing the starter button

 

[Guest]

When I say no power to the starter you are correct, kind of a guess at this point as I didnt check it with a meter just under the assumption as there is no solenoid click or turning of the starter.
The fuel needs to be drained for sure. Carbs need going through and I will pull plugs and put a little Marvel Mystery oil in each cylinder before any attempt to start it at a minimum. I'm hoping cylinder walls are fine, Alaska isn't a humid place so that's a plus. I'm ahead of the routine by messing with the starter but I would like to hear it bump so I know working.

 

[tom203]

Out of curiosity, how long has ethanol fuel been served up there?

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the input, I will do as you suggest and search out the starter relay to jump to see if it will bump for me.

 

[Guest]

Out of curiosity, how long has ethanol fuel been served up there?

To be honest I'm not sure.

 

[Rob S.]

Alaska isn't a humid place

?!? Alaska isn't a humid place ?!?

 

[Guest]

?!? Alaska isn't a humid place ?!?

My sarcasm has evaded you....lol
I've only lived here 50 years come May.....