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No spark No turnover

  • Thread starter Thread starter MurrayGS
  • Start date Start date
M

MurrayGS

Guest
This is my first bike and its a 1980 GS 450 L and it wont turn over. When you press the start button nothing happens at all. I put in new spark plugs and the previous owner put in a new starter. I believe it would be something with the ignition but i have no idea lol thaks for your help!!!
 
I think so all the lights turn on and blinkers and such work.... i know nothing about bikes lol so if you know whats wrong explain it like im a 4 year old please!
 
The engine kill switch in on and where is the clutch switch lol
 
Could be a low battery, do the lights dim when you try to start it?
 
MurrayGS said:
I think so all the lights turn on and blinkers and such work.... i know nothing about bikes lol so if you know whats wrong explain it like im a 4 year old please!
Click to expand...


If you don't have a multimeter, pull the battery and take it to o'reillys or autozone for testing/recharge.

With a low battery, your lights could still come on, but not have enough juice to fire the starter.
 
should it liek click or something if the battery is too low to start it?
 
That click is the starter solenoid kicking into action, but nothing is happening because there isn't enough energy in the battery to turn the starter. If you want to continue owning a bike you should seriously consider getting a trickle charger. Just pull the battery out (remember to disconnect negative first, otherwise you might get a fireworks display if you disconnect positive first!), give it a good charge with the trickle charger until the charger thinks the battery is full, put her in (this time negative goes on last) and off you go.

That's step #1.
 
Usually if the battery is too low to start it you'll get multiple clicks. The click is the solenoid engaging. If the battery is low the starter will suck it down to the point where the solenoid lets go. As soon as it does that the voltage goes back up and it starts all over again...

click-click-click-click

If there's just one "click", check the battery voltage first; both before trying to start and during. Make sure the cells are at their fill points with water. Check at the starter terminal for voltage. Make sure your ground is secure to the block.

Never charge a motorcycle battery at more than 2 amps, BTW. If you use a 10-20A car charger you'll kill your battery off really quickly.
 
Sounds like a plan to me! so your saying just cause the lights and signals and stuff work doesnt mean the battery is completely charged? Ill go get one and try that out
 
Do you have a multimeter to test with? If not, go get one first before getting another battery. Test your battery when disconnected from the bike and ensure you have ~13v fully charged first. Then on the bike, see if you still have about 12.5 or higher when the key is on. Then test with the bike running, etc etc etc.

If you don't get the first couple then yea, new battery time. But get that tester first since it's your first line of troubleshooting on the electrical stuff.
 
Do you have the correct trickle charger for your battery? Is the fluid at the right levels? Might want to set it on there overnight after checking the acid (replace with distilled water if necessary) and then go from there. Then start on the Stator Papers (find them on the GS Resources Home Page, In the Garage) and go through those tests.
 
well got her running everything was fine jsut the starter buttons connections were dirty... but the clutch is kickin into gear pretty hard does that mean i need to change the oil?
 
Head over to Harbor Freight and get a cheap multi meter and start testing

Battery static voltage
Battery voltage when I press the starter button
 
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