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Bike Only Fires Once!

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    #1

    Bike Only Fires Once!

    Hey guys, I'm sorry to resort to posting a thread, but I'm afraid I don't know exactly what to search for on this one.. So I parked my bike three weeks ago: It started and ran great. Upon my return and starting the bike today, it fires ONLY for the first second, then resorts to just turning over and over. I tried leaving it choked to fill the bowls, checked my petcock settings, and even let it sit several times, and same story. My only guess can be fuel not getting to the engine? In every other try after letting it sit, it did the same thing: fired once, then nothing.
    Any help is greatly appreciated!
    Thanks,
    Buck
    Tags: None
    #2
    Had any maintenance been done? What's the history here?

    Comment

      #3
      Originally posted by knitt31 View Post
      Hey guys, I'm sorry to resort to posting a thread, but I'm afraid I don't know exactly what to search for on this one.. So I parked my bike three weeks ago: It started and ran great. Upon my return and starting the bike today, it fires ONLY for the first second, then resorts to just turning over and over. I tried leaving it choked to fill the bowls, checked my petcock settings, and even let it sit several times, and same story. My only guess can be fuel not getting to the engine? In every other try after letting it sit, it did the same thing: fired once, then nothing.
      Any help is greatly appreciated!
      Thanks,
      Buck
      Set the petcock to PRI and leave it a minute or so, then switch it back to on or res. Leaving it choked will not fill the bowls. How much fuel do you have in the tank?
      -Mal

      "The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once." - B. Banzai
      ___________

      78 GS750E

      Comment

        #4
        The choke does not fill the bowls. it simply allows an enrichment jet to function. The Prime position on the petcock fills the float bowls.

        I'm going to guess you have a Suzuki of some type which has this problem? care to provide any hints as to what bike is doing this?
        sigpic Too old, too many bikes, too many cars, too many things

        Comment

          #5
          going to guess

          81 gs550t


          you really should put this info in your profile or signature, and your location as well...

          Comment

            #6
            wow, thanks everyone. That is in fact my bike, an 81 gs550t. I bought it about a month ago, have only been able to put a few hundred miles on it so far. As far as care taken by the previous owner, I am entirely unsure. I will try priming using the petcock tomorrow. I appreciate it everyone.

            Comment

              #7
              Also be sure that you are using the correct starting procedure.

              Assuming you will be using PRIme to fill the bowls (should not be necessary, but won't hurt to try):
              Turn petcock to PRI for about 30 seconds, then turn back to ON
              Apply "choke"
              Pull clutch (unless you have that switch disabled)
              Ensure that engine stop switch is set to RUN
              Turn key to ON
              Push starter button

              Notice that NOWHERE did I mention "twist the throttle". That's because you should not do that.
              In fact, don't even touch it. That's right, don't even rest your hand on it.
              If you need to adjust engine speed, move the "choke" control.

              When the engine is warmed enough to remove the "choke", then you can use the throttle.

              .
              sigpic
              mine: 2000 Honda GoldWing GL1500SE and 1980 GS850G'K' "Junior"
              hers: 1982 GS850GL - "Angel" and 1969 Suzuki T250 Scrambler
              #1 son: 1986 Yamaha Venture Royale 1300 and 1982 GS650GL "Rat Bagger"
              #2 son: 1980 GS1000G
              Family Portrait
              Siblings and Spouses
              Mom's first ride
              Want a copy of my valve adjust spreadsheet for your 2-valve per cylinder engine? Send me an e-mail request (not a PM)
              (Click on my username in the upper-left corner for e-mail info.)

              Comment

                #8
                Hi Knitt.
                If "Pri" doesnt fill the carbs, suspect the petrol tap... Maybe a blockage... Maybe the suction pupe running from carb 2 to the fuel tap isn't sucking enough to set up a good fuel flow...
                Maybe the diaphram in the tap is kaput...

                If these things are ok, maybe try knocking the bottom ov the float bowls to dislodge possible stuck needle jet inside the carbs...

                Maybe even the little vent inside the petrol cap is blocked... Try taking off the cap and try again...

                Have you tried EasyStart or another Ethanol based starter spray?

                Try these and report back...
                Seana
                Xxx

                Comment

                  #9
                  Unscrew all of your sparkplugs and give them a thorough clean first with fine sandpaper or similar to give them the best chance of functioning properly. Also if they are really fouled it might be time to change them.
                  Also you could unscrew them after a couple of starting attempts and see if they are wet to check if there is gasoline entering your cylinders....
                  Have you tried push-starting the bike? That worked for me last time when my bike wouldn't start at all....

                  Comment

                    #10
                    Originally posted by Spiff View Post
                    Unscrew all of your sparkplugs and give them a thorough clean first with fine sandpaper or similar to give them the best chance of functioning properly. Also if they are really fouled it might be time to change them.
                    Also you could unscrew them after a couple of starting attempts and see if they are wet to check if there is gasoline entering your cylinders....
                    Have you tried push-starting the bike? That worked for me last time when my bike wouldn't start at all....
                    And that...
                    X

                    Comment

                      #11
                      Originally posted by knitt31 View Post
                      it fires ONLY for the first second, then resorts to just turning over and over.
                      While it is just turning over and over, is it sparking?
                      If not, what is the voltage at the coils during this turning over and over?
                      http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...tatesMap-1.jpg

                      Life is too short to ride an L.

                      Comment

                        #12
                        hey everyone, thanks for the replies, but I'm afraid I've made things worse.. I shorted something out. Removing the seat, the wire in the seat somehow came undone and started melting the sidecover, and throwing some nasty smoke. I rolled the bike outside as quickly as I could. Now when I turn the key, I get nothing, no lights, no nothing. You can see the wires that melted and were crossed in the photos. It looks like the red wire leads back the the rectifier, and the white leads down and into the engine case. I'm assuming this is bad, and won't be a cheap fix. Help?
                        http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/gg513/knitt31/GEDC0115.jpg

                        http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/gg513/knitt31/GEDC0114.jpg

                        http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/gg513/knitt31/GEDC0113.jpg

                        Comment

                          #13
                          Not sure if any of that would cause it not to start, but get a colored wiring diagram and see where those all go to. Should be one on Basscliff site. You need to rewire your r/r, red directly to battery pos. with in line fuse, neg. directly to ground on battery. And hook r/r directly to the stator and bypass all the old wiring harness which goes back through the front. Then test your charging system with the stator papers just to make sure your charging properly. terrylee

                          Comment

                            #14
                            Originally posted by knitt31 View Post
                            Removing the seat, the wire in the seat somehow came undone and started melting the sidecover, and throwing some nasty smoke.
                            You have a wire in the seat?
                            Why?
                            http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...tatesMap-1.jpg

                            Life is too short to ride an L.

                            Comment

                              #15
                              Hi,

                              Check your fuses. Clean up your wiring. That looks like charging system wiring that is overheating and badly kludged together. Use this diagram to properly wire your stator and r/r together. Go through the maintenance lists in your "mega-welcome" and become familiar with maintaining your bike. Use the guides on my website to familiarize yourself with all the necessary procedures. It's an old bike an your must learn how to keep it running properly.

                              GS650E/G/L Wiring Diagrams

                              GS650E Service Manual (174MB)                               (right-click and "Save as...)

                              Keep us informed.


                              Thank you for your indulgence,

                              BassCliff

                              Comment

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