Bike only starts with throttle

[mrhedges]

Hello,

So I have a '81 gs850g. Been riding for a year. The Valves and carbs were synced recently to spec. It's always started easily with the choke open, once it fires it idles high so I lower the choke and let the bike warm up a bit while I put my helmet on. Yesterday I decided to go for a short ride, I go to start the bike the same way I always do: open choke, press in clutch make sure bike is in neutral and it almost fires but not quite. It actually almost sounded the starter was weak? I try it again this time I give it alittle gas, and it fires right up. I ride about 20 minutes park the bike. Walk around the park for 10 minutes or so and decided to leave. Same issue, won't start easily unless I give it some throttle. Going up to the park and taking the long way home the bike ran beautifully the entire time, smooth through all the gears and idled correctly at stop lights. Is this something I should worry about? Could my starter be going bad? I'd guess it's original but the bike only has about 15,000 miles on it. The PO replaced the stator and coils, should I run a test to make sure the battery is charging correctly? The battery is only about a year old. Is there some way to test the starter without taking it out?

Thanks

[mrhedges]

I should also mention that I am planning on going on a 2 thousand mile ride in late July.

[GRAND ROUGE]

Had similar issue recently with my GS 1100E. Battery was on way out. Like you, Carbs and Valves etc. to spec. Simple load test will tell the tale. Key on and all lights on.....check voltage at battery......probably heading down quickly.

[Gorminrider]

first thing: Batteries get old especially the ol "water filled" and especially when the charging system is not working correctly. Of course you should check it and the charging system...there's a lot of info about checking batteries online ... and all kinds of charging fanatics hereabouts....

as to testing starter motors on the bike-well,beyond it turning the engine over..not really. You have to take it out to clean it up, change brushes etc. They are generally very reliable but the starter motor is only part of the starting system. There's a button and a solenoid also. You'd better read up on that too.

generally, no throttle is required when using the "choke"(it's really an "enricher-there's no choking happening so that indicates you better read up on your carbs.

You'd better read the shop manual before you head off or pay someone that has read the manual to look over these issues.

[mnferwerda]

The owner's manual actually does say that when starting a warm engine (or on a warm day), to apply a little bit of throttle (no choke) when starting up.

[mrhedges]

The owner's manual actually does say that when starting a warm engine (or on a warm day), to apply a little bit of throttle (no choke) when starting up.

That is good to know, I noticed this when starting the bike up again after running it for a while.

[mrhedges]

first thing: Batteries get old especially the ol "water filled" and especially when the charging system is not working correctly. Of course you should check it and the charging system...there's a lot of info about checking batteries online ... and all kinds of charging fanatics hereabouts....

as to testing starter motors on the bike-well,beyond it turning the engine over..not really. You have to take it out to clean it up, change brushes etc. They are generally very reliable but the starter motor is only part of the starting system. There's a button and a solenoid also. You'd better read up on that too.

generally, no throttle is required when using the "choke"(it's really an "enricher-there's no choking happening so that indicates you better read up on your carbs.

You'd better read the shop manual before you head off or pay someone that has read the manual to look over these issues.

I used the word "choke" because regardless of how it actually functions, its described everywhere as a "choke" the plunger even features a little "c". The battery is only about a year old but I will check that and the charging system, thanks

[Boriqua]

if I start with zero throttle, just turn on the gas valve and open the choke all the way the bike will start but be running at some 900 rpm and then suddenly perks up.

I have been starting my bike with choke open and a little goose of the throttle when the starter kicks over and I can have it sitting for weeks and it fires right up. I have to give it a goose if I have been out riding and come back to it in the parking lot as well.

I used to have my idle set up a bit higher and it wouldnt need it but when I set the idle to the appropriate speed she started wanting that goose. Meh .. I can live with it.

I figure .. the bike starts and runs phenomenally, doesn't burn a lick of oil and runs around AZ in 110 degree heat so if that is how she want to get going .. I can cooperate.

[Gorminrider]

I used the word "choke" because regardless of how it actually functions, its described everywhere as a "choke" the plunger even features a little "c". The battery is only about a year old but I will check that and the charging system, thanks

sure, I call it a choke too but I have to keep reminding myself. These CV carbs operate differently than carbs from the 60's. Opening the throttle plate when the pistons aren't pumping suction hard doesn't add gas...more likely is adding air and leaning the mix. There's no accelerator pump on these like a 60's Carter had either so again, "giving it some gas" really doesn't until the engine is running well.
The CV carbs are supposed to be kind of "automatic" when it comes to starting, I think

[mrhedges]

sure, I call it a choke too but I have to keep reminding myself. These CV carbs operate differently than carbs from the 60's. Opening the throttle plate when the pistons aren't pumping suction hard doesn't add gas...more likely is adding air and leaning the mix. There's no accelerator pump on these like a 60's Carter had either so again, "giving it some gas" really doesn't until the engine is running well.
The CV carbs are supposed to be kind of "automatic" when it comes to starting, I think

You know what? I just went out and to test the battery. My Multimeter just died (think it needs new batteries) but I noticed the screw was loose on the red (+) terminal I tightened it down and the bike started with choke no problem. I feel silly I didn't check that before

[Gorminrider]

Yes, that'll do it I wouldn't have guessed that per your original post in a million years but it's easy to do...you take the battery out, you put it back thinking you'll get a wrench to tighten in a minute....but forget. And then the worst things you can imagine all come top-of-mind when the bike runs rough....Happens here all the time and we should know better... but I'm happy you found it. That's always the main thing.