Bike starts only by running with it and releasing the cluch

[Dannoman3355]

I have an 80 gs550 E
My bike's electric start turns and turns, but there is no ignition. The only way to start it is to run beside it and release it in gear, and this works well. Any suggestions on what the issue may be?

[Steve]

Check your battery voltage: 1) before turning on the bike, 2) when the key is ON, and 3) again, while cranking the starter.
If it goes below 10 volts, there is not much left for the coils to provide fire.
If this is the case, you need a new battery.

.

[Dannoman3355]

Thanks, I'll check in the morning

[jbs80106]

Huh?

10 volts?!!

Mine does nothing below 12.0V.

Bump starting works, so long as stator is generating enough V to keep it running.

1) check battery voltage before doing anything. If good, then try to start...
2) if she's got good battery voltage, but won't start. Pull ur starter, take it apart and CLEAN it. Check brushes as even a good battery + bad contacts in the starter = no start.

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. Dannoman3355,

The links below will have information about checking your charging system. Sorry, I have no starter rebuild information, yet. There may be a manual for you. But one thing at a time. Here ya go...

If there's anything you'd like to know about the Suzuki GS model bikes, and most others actually, you've come to the right place. There's a lot of knowledge and experience here in the community. Come on in and let me say "HOoooowwwDY!"....

Here is your very own magical, mystical, mythical, mind-expanding "mega-welcome". Please take notice of the "Top 10 Common Issues", the Carb Rebuild Series, and the Stator Papers. Now let me roll out the welcome mat for you...

Please click here for your mega-welcome, chock full of tips, suggestions, links to vendors, and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I've been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. Don't forget, we like pictures! Not you, your bike!

Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[chef1366]

Are you sure the starter is actually turning the motor?
Starter clutch issues?

[TheCafeKid]

I have an 80 gs550 E
My bike's electric start turns and turns, but there is no ignition. The only way to start it is to run beside it and release it in gear, and this works well. Any suggestions on what the issue may be?

HAHA Ask Brett Griffin how well that works!!

Sorry dude...couldnt resist..

[81gs1100]

10 volts?!!

Mine does nothing below 12.0V.

Bump starting works, so long as stator is generating enough V to keep it running.

1) check battery voltage before doing anything. If good, then try to start...
2) if she's got good battery voltage, but won't start. Pull ur starter, take it apart and CLEAN it. Check brushes as even a good battery + bad contacts in the starter = no start.

Yes and no... you may have > 12v and still have a bad battery. You need amps as well and as the battery might read around 12v on a meter it may drop well below the 10v needed by the ignitor to set fire to the holes. This may save a ton of time trying to rebuild your starter. But if its raining... dig into your starter and replace the bushings anyways if you havn't done so in the past 30 years.

[Dannoman3355]

hey thanks for the advice.....The battery is definitely not charging. I let the bike idle for a few minutes, and it drained the battery completely. I managed to borrow a voltage meter, and will test out the battery as well as preform a stator test tomorrow. Hopefully it's as simple as a dead battery.

And that Coil Relay Mod does sound like a good project.

Ohh boy, I need to get this fixed...It seems like everywhere I look people are out riding, or I'm hearing bikes buzz by. Its making me quite jealous
We'll see what the tests show tomorrow evening