Starts sometimes....Runs great though.

[Jtellis]

I'm Josh, I recently aquired a '82 Suzuki gs650 knowing it came with a starting problem. Once the bike is running it runs great, no problems mechanically. However starting the bike can be a royal pain in the ass sometimes. Sometimes it starts with the starter, and sometimes it doesn't, and then I have to roll it down a hill. The guy that had it before me installed some sort of switch over the battery, thinking that the bike was losing battery power when the bike was not running. So, he said after he put this on/off switch on the bike's battery it helped maintain the battery power. I'm no expert on electrical stuff, but I know this switch thing has gotta go, and I need to get the bike fixed right. I love this bike, and I just want it to start up normally.

[posplayr]

I'm Josh, I recently aquired a '82 Suzuki gs650 knowing it came with a starting problem. Once the bike is running it runs great, no problems mechanically. However starting the bike can be a royal pain in the ass sometimes. Sometimes it starts with the starter, and sometimes it doesn't, and then I have to roll it down a hill. The guy that had it before me installed some sort of switch over the battery, thinking that the bike was losing battery power when the bike was not running. So, he said after he put this on/off switch on the bike's battery it helped maintain the battery power. I'm no expert on electrical stuff, but I know this switch thing has gotta go, and I need to get the bike fixed right. I love this bike, and I just want it to start up normally.

Welcome Josh,
Basscliff will be along soon to give you a formal welcome. If the bike seems to run well once you get it started. You might look at the voltage to the coils. Get a volt meter and measure at the positive side. There should not be more than 1-1.5V drop between the battery and the coils with the ignition on.

The power to the coils goes through alot of connections and switches and those tend to corrode causing voltage drops. When the coil voltage is below about 10.5V my own bike was hard to start. If this is the case doing the coil relay mod will solve the problem and even if it is not it is a good idea as long as you mount the relay in such a way to avoid excessive heat and vibration to the relay. There are a few different ways to do the mod. I have one I documented that keep the relay on the battery box.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=141055&highlight=coil+relay+mod

Find a method that protects it and hopefully powers the entire ignition circuit.

Good Luck
Jim

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. Jtellis,

Just about all you need to get your bike back in shape is here in your "mega-welcome". Take no shortcuts. Let's get started.

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

[indyjoel]

Welcome I have a similar issue. I am getting a new battery in the coming week and am trying a new petcock as well.

I will also try looking at the coil voltage next weekend as well.

I have just bought two 650's in a jigsaw mode ( all in pieces) so I am hoping to scavenge decent coils from them to use

[Big T]

Josh,

Is what you're saying that the starter turns over (and starts the bike) sometimes, and other times it won't turn over?

If that is the case, look to the starter button and you'll find it's corroded.

Warning - small parts involved, disassemble inside a large zip lock bag


Once you've solved that problem, go down BassCliff's list

[simon kuether]

Do one thing at a time . I know blokes that do heaps of stuff and get nowhere . They fix one problem and cause another .
It won't be anything to serious if the bike runs well once started .
Goodluck and............welcome .
Cheers , Simon .

[tom203]

Since you say it runs well once started, suspect the enricher system ( "choke" ) before worrying about all the possibilities. Make sure that choke cable is fully operating at carb end. I have a 81 650 and if the cable is not pulled up all the way, it might take a minute of cranking or longer when cold. But if I pull it up all the way ( might have to hold it up ), it fires up immediately. Also, do not use throttle during cold start- you want the fuel to be pulled up in the tiny choke tubes to the intake.

[Nessism]

Poor starting could also be related to poor engine maintenance - valves need to be adjusted. If you have not adjusted them before I strongly suggest you do that first regardless of whether or not that's the problem or not. The valves will burn if not maintained so it's not optional.

[chef1366]

Check the clutch safety switch.

[tkent02]

Check everything on cliff's list, it's a thirty year old bike and it needs routine maintenance.

[Jtellis]

Thanks for all the great tips!

Thanks guys for all of the replies. It seems to be more of a starter issue, because sometimes the starter operates strong and other times its just gives one roll and thats it. I will look into the starter switch, and also check my voltage. If it was stator problem, I'm assuming the bike would run rough, just like a car with a bad alternator.