GS 650 not getting any juice

[Scorpion]

Hey as a home depot garden specialist I know where my parts are in my store and to add my two cents check and double check all the connections from the headlight to the tail light

[BassCliff]

Hi Mr. dj3671,

It's always a good idea to check and clean every electrical connection on a newly acquired 30-something year old motorcycle. You'll find lots of GS lovin' on my little website. What you don't find there you can certainly find here.

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

[dj3671]

it sparked meaning there was a spark when i crossed the two solenoid towers. Had to down to school for the week, so wont be able to check anything till this weekend

[tom203]

it sparked meaning there was a spark when i crossed the two solenoid towers. Had to down to school for the week, so wont be able to check anything till this weekend

Ok, it sparked, but did starter motor sound like it was attempting to spin?

[Steve]

Something just a little bit screwy here, Redman.

That would be an L model, and you say an 80 650, so that would be an GS650GLT
G for shaft drive, L for L model, T for 1980.

All good stuff, except for two things:
1. the 650 was only mane in '81 through '83.
2. the following quote from the first post in the thread.

Hey I go an 82 gs650 a few days ago ...

Since it appears to be an '82, instead of an '80, it would be a GS650GLZ.

I was too tired to make sense of the rest of the post, all that arc-ing and sparking.

.

[Redman]

Since it appears to be an '82, instead of an '80, it would be a GS650GLZ.
.

Yep, mental malfunction on my part.
Yep, 82 not 80.
Yep, GS650GLZ
G Shaft
L cruiser
Z 1982

.

[dj3671]

silent treatment

lol ya an 82, :P but no sounds anywhere.....

[tom203]

lol ya an 82, :P but no sounds anywhere.....

So does this mean no sounds of life from starter motor when you "crossed the solenoid towers" ?

[dj3671]

Yea, and no sounds what so ever when i attempt to start bike

[tom203]

Yea, and no sounds what so ever when i attempt to start bike

Well, if it sparked when you jumped solenoid, juice was going somewhere! starter motor could be locked or shorted, but this would drain battery real quick. Pull off starter motor cover - does it feel warm when you jump solenoid terminals a few times? You'll probably have to remove stator cover to investigate any further.

[dj3671]

Yea, but wouldnt the solenoid atleast click if the starter was bad? Im assuming the problem is either the starter button wiring, or the starter disconnect switch (clutch lever) Just dont have a lot of time to mess with anything lately

[dj3671]

Oh and I feel like a total noob, but where is the starter disconnect switch? I got a Clymer book, but can't find fit in there.

[tom203]

Yea, but wouldnt the solenoid atleast click if the starter was bad? Im assuming the problem is either the starter button wiring, or the starter disconnect switch (clutch lever) Just dont have a lot of time to mess with anything lately

You said it sparked by jumping solenoid terminals- no need for solenoid to click. I suppose the solenoid could be shorting out to ground rather than sending juice to starter, but not likely!
The starter disconnect switch is in the clutch lever- if you don't pull the clutch in, the starter won't work. Lots of us bypass this safety switch as we condition ourselves to start in neutral.
Back to solenoid; take off wire going to starter motor- with bike on centerstand and in neutral, touch this wire to other large wire on solenoid ( the one going to battery), does starter make noise now?

[dj3671]

Ok, how is the solenoid supposed to be hooked up? What lines go to which post? I have a 2 post, im assuming thats correct lol Right now I think I have it wrong, one post has the ground, the other has the starter line and the battery line....Should one post be starter, one post be battery and grounded somewhere else???

[koolaid_kid]

Yes, one side goes to the battery, the other side goes to the starter.