Bike Won't Start

[rushmtrsports]

First off hello to all. I just purchased a 1980 gs 850L a few weeks ago. I was having trouble last week starting it, so I replaced the battery. I rode maybe 30 miles that same day and it has sat until today. I rode another 80 miles today and it would not start again. We were able to push start it and drove to orielys, they tested battery said one battery cell bad and it was completly dead. So they charged it we rode home, 80 miles and it still won't start, battery dead. Some how my battery keeps going dead and I have no clue as to why. It seems like I can charge the battery and get about 2hrs of riding in before the battery is completey dead. WHY!

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. rushmtrsports,

Welcome to the forum. You have some work to do on your charging system. In your "mega-welcome" you will find a link to The Stator Papers. After reading the theory pay particular attention to the troubleshooting flowchart. Clean ALL of the electrical connections and grounds on the entire wiring harness. A lot of corrosion has built up in 30 years. Check and clean all of the bullet connectors, molex connectors, the big ground strap from the negative battery terminal to the bottom of the engine, the fusebox, the ignition switch, the solenoid connections, everything from the headlight bucket to the tail light. You will want to run the ground connection from the regulator/rectifier directly to the negative terminal of the battery. Worst case scenario, you'll need a new battery, new regulator/rectifier unit, and a new stator. Start with a known good battery and go through the fault finding flowchart in The Stator Papers. I would recommend an AGM battery, a Rick's stator, and a Honda r/r unit from our good friend and forum member Mr. duaneage.

You'll find lots of GS850 lovin' on my website, including guides for testing and replacement of charging system components.

Anyway, I just stopped by to welcome you to the forum in my own, special way.

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]

A dead battery on a GS
NO WAY

[Larry D]

Welcome !!!

Where are you ? There may be someone close to lend a hand.

Read, learn, repair, young Jedi.

http://www.thegsresources.com/garage/gs_statorfacts.htm

[rushmtrsports]

I am located in Spring Texas. There is a vast amount of information on this site. You guys have done a great job. I will have sometime this evening to take another look.