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    Complete loss of electrical while driving

    Hello all, I'm new here and desperately looking for some help. I've got a 1983 GS1100e, was out driving it to class today for the second time and lost all power. After a grueling push home I checked the fuses and the main fuse was popped. Put a new fuse in, still nothing. No sound, no lights, no starting. I don't know a whole lot on mechanical or electrical but with help/information I can figure it out. I don't have access to a garage and I'm not from where I live so I don't know many people here to get help or trailer it somewhere (and I'm a broke college student).

    I've had the bike since 2016/2017, all gauges and lights worked prior to this aside from 2nd sometimes showing as 0 on the cluster. There's no aftermarket electrical components, wiring looks old so doubtful there's any changes there either. I don't have a meter/tester but I can probably borrow one from my school job or buy one soon. Any help would be really appreciated, this bike is my baby and, aside from my wife, probably my only other friend I've got here.

    #2
    Yes get a meter.
    you didn't pop a fresh fuse? So no "dead short"

    you could use a set of jumper cables from a non running car and see what happens.
    1983 GS 550 LD
    2009 BMW K1300s

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      #3
      You popped the main fuse? What about the other ones? Good, or blown?
      1978 GS 1000 (since new)
      1979 GS 1000 (The Fridge, superbike replica project)
      1978 GS 1000 (parts)
      1981 GS 850 (anyone want a project?)
      1981 GPZ 550 (backroad screamer)
      1970 450 Mk IIID (THUMP!)
      2007 DRz 400S
      1999 ATK 490ES
      1994 DR 350SES

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        #4
        They're a pain to get to on your bike, but with the ign. turned on, pull and wiggle on the batt. cables, watching to see if the headlight flickers or comes on, one of them may not be making good connection.
        1983 GS1100E, 1983 CB1100F, 1991 GSX1100G, 1996 Kaw. ZL600 Eliminator, 1999 Bandit 1200S, 2005 Bandit 1200S, 2000 Kaw. ZRX 1100

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          #5
          Rectifier blown.
          1983 GS 550 LD
          2009 BMW K1300s

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by Cipher View Post
            Rectifier blown.
            Could be but there's plenty of basics along the way that could be the problem or should at least be checked before making that assumption. It's always a good idea to keep Occam's Razor in mind when approaching a problem, especially with someone that's not very experienced: Given an equal set of outcomes, the simplest answer is best.
            1980 Yamaha XS1100G (Current bike)
            1982 GS450txz (former bike)
            LONG list of previous bikes not listed here.

            I identify as a man but according to the label on a box of Stauffers Baked Lasagne I'm actually a family of four

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              #7
              Usually a complete loss of electricity is a bad cable, or header pin loosening somewhere. Being a 1983, you must disconnect everywhere the battery grounds too and sand those spots clean, Suzuki did a real bad job grounding those bikes. Charge the battery, make sure it is filled with distilled water, and not bone dry. If should read 13.8 volts ideally, see if the bike's lights come on, if they do, start the bike, check the voltage across the battery again, The voltage should definitely be at 13.8 volts, run it for a short while, if the voltage stats to go down, then you have entered the dreaded real of the Suzuki Regulating only one leg of the Stator, and letting the other two go up and down, killing the Stator and taking the Voltage Regulator/Rectifier with it.
              Last edited by Suzukian; 02-01-2023, 11:00 AM.

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                #8
                Check the cables from the battery at both ends.. maybe it's loose at the starter relay.
                1980 GS1000G - Sold
                1978 GS1000E - Finished!
                1980 GS550E - Fixed & given to a friend
                1983 GS750ES Special - Sold
                2009 KLR 650 - Sold - gone to TX!
                1982 GS1100G - Rebuilt and finished. - Sold
                2009 TE610 - Dual Sporting around dreaming of Dakar..... - FOR SALE!

                www.parasiticsanalytics.com

                TWINPOT BRAKE UPGRADE LINKY: http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...e-on-78-Skunk/

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                  #9
                  I actually had a ground cable break off at the frame. Replaced with a better cable. Like it is being said"connections, connections, connections" and charging system.

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                    #10
                    No ground would certainly explain it... Glad it wasn't something worse.
                    1983 GS1100E, 1983 CB1100F, 1991 GSX1100G, 1996 Kaw. ZL600 Eliminator, 1999 Bandit 1200S, 2005 Bandit 1200S, 2000 Kaw. ZRX 1100

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                      #11
                      One and done"............?
                      Jim, in Central New York State.

                      1980 GS750E (bought used June,1983)
                      1968 CB350 Super Sport (bought new Oct,1968)
                      1962 CA77 305 Dream (bought used Feb,1963)

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