Won't Start

[GS650E_81]

Not a crack looks like grease.

Yeah I can't believe the gas tank has a big hole. This is ridiculous.

Kinda late on this one on this one but...

Looks like ya got some work to do(and money to spend)

Your fuses are under the right side cover(IIRC). Take care when removing the covers, ya dont wanna bust anything.

Ya need a choke cable but there is a way to choke it without one. Sit on your bike, grab the carbs with your left hand. This is the left side of your bike. Poke around the carb with your fingers and you'll notice a little part that moves a little bit. Pull on it, hold it out, choke is on. Let it go, choke is off.

From your pic, your bike needs some work, dude. Intake boots look very rough. Is that a crack on the outer right one? If so I'm surprised your bike even ran.
Obvioulsy the intake orings have never been changed unless someone put the old screws back on(doubtful).

I agree with most of the other posts. Dont mess around with it too much till ya do some reading and get a very good understanding of what you're dealing with.


The 650E is a pretty neato bike. Would be nice to see it come back to life.

[cowboyup3371]

Don't sell the bike. Drain the rest of that fuel out of there by disconnecting your fuel line, putting into a can, and turning the petcock to PRIme. Once drained, clean up the rest of the mess with kitty litter or something like it.

I'm sure others here have 650 tanks so don't stress. Put up a thread in the Parts Wanted and you'll be fine.

[GS650E_81]

LOL how to I disconnect the fuel line?

I'll say again I don't know **** about bikes, not sure why my dumbass bought one. I'm pretty upset right now to say the least.

Don't sell the bike. Drain the rest of that fuel out of there by disconnecting your fuel line, putting into a can, and turning the petcock to PRIme. Once drained, clean up the rest of the mess with kitty litter or something like it.

I'm sure others here have 650 tanks so don't stress. Put up a thread in the Parts Wanted and you'll be fine.

[koolaid_kid]

STRESS, STRESS!!!!!! I would love to have a cheap 650E to rebuild.

[cowboyup3371]

The fuel line (thicker of the two hoses) goes from the petcock on the left side of the tank down to the carbs. Pull the end off the carbs.

[GS650E_81]

Took the tank off. Well, if anything I am learning.

The pitcock is in bad shape. I guess I need a new tank and pitcock among a bunch of other things!

Weeeeee!

[GS650E_81]

How hard is it to just repair a leak?

The hole is about a pinsize. I think it may be hard finding another gas tank for it. I wouldn't mind modifying it to a cafe racer style either... No experience with that either though.

[cowboyup3371]

Do a search on here for tank leak repair by clicking on Search, Advanced Search, and selecting Titles only to start with. You may want to play with your search terms to find exactly what you are wanting but give it a try.

[GS650E_81]

i found one on ebay for a 81 GS650GL. Does anyone know if that tank will fit my GS650E?

[TheCafeKid]

i found one on ebay for a 81 GS650GL. Does anyone know if that tank will fit my GS650E?

No an L tank won't fit. But a gs650G tank (the standard shaft drive model) looks like it would.
Unfortunately you have a bit of a rarer bird there. The chain drive version is hard to come by, I wouldnt sell it. Get a manual and immerse yourself in it. They're not hard to work on, but flying blind isn't a good idea.

[GS650E_81]

I am trying to figure out my options.

Can I bring it to a radiator repair/gas tank repair shop and get it fixed? I saw a patch kit at auto zone but I don't know if I would trust that..

Obviously buy another tank if I can find one...

[TheCafeKid]

I am trying to figure out my options.

Can I bring it to a radiator repair/gas tank repair shop and get it fixed? I saw a patch kit at auto zone but I don't know if I would trust that..

Obviously buy another tank if I can find one...

Certainly. But keep in mind where there is one hole, likely there will eventually be more. Have the radiator repair place check the integrity of the surrounding metal before paying for a repair. A reputable place will likely tell you if it's trash or too far gone to be worth repairing.
The upside is if someone can confirm a 650G tank will fit, those are pretty plentiful, and likely could be had for $100 or less.

[koolaid_kid]

I agree with TCK, it has rusted through in one spot, it is probably only a matter of time before other spots show up. Remember, the PO patched it so he could sell it and it did not hold. While you are searching for another tank, you can still do everything else using a temporary tank. I use a radiator overflow tank I picked up at AutoZone for ~$10.
Don't purchase a petcock until you know what tank you end up with, they are different for different years and even for different models of the same bike.
You should probably start on the other things you need to do, such as rebuilding the carbs, replacing intake boot o-rings, going through the charging system, adjusting the valves, etc.

[GS650E_81]

Yeah. I am looking into ordering the o-ring, fastener kit, and boots to redo the air system.

I put a bid in on Ebay on the GS650G tank. Hopefully I didn't jump the gun and it fits, if I happen to win!

This may turn into a winter project for me. Starting to get cold out.

I agree with TCK, it has rusted through in one spot, it is probably only a matter of time before other spots show up. Remember, the PO patched it so he could sell it and it did not hold. While you are searching for another tank, you can still do everything else using a temporary tank. I use a radiator overflow tank I picked up at AutoZone for ~$10.
Don't purchase a petcock until you know what tank you end up with, they are different for different years and even for different models of the same bike.
You should probably start on the other things you need to do, such as rebuilding the carbs, replacing intake boot o-rings, going through the charging system, adjusting the valves, etc.

[GS650E_81]

Anyone know of a good place to buy the carb and air intake boots? I can't find the part number in the service manual.