Won't Start

[tom203]

A starter solenoid makes distinct click when it's working right. A " loud humming noise" might be starter motor not spinning right, but motor is on left side (your typo?). weak battery ? have you checked charging stuff? Do neutral/oil lights come on- if yes, try bump starting, any inclines in this cemetery? Ignition / kill on, put in second gear, roll forward and pop clutch- but this will do nothing if your ignition circuit ain't working. You need to go over the electric system 100 %.

[GS650E_81]

A starter solenoid makes distinct click when it's working right. A " loud humming noise" might be starter motor not spinning right, but motor is on left side (your typo?). weak battery ? have you checked charging stuff? Do neutral/oil lights come on- if yes, try bump starting, any inclines in this cemetery? Ignition / kill on, put in second gear, roll forward and pop clutch- but this will do nothing if your ignition circuit ain't working. You need to go over the electric system 100 %.

I am almost 100% sure it's a bad starter clutch. I am going to try and bump start it today and get it home.

[GS650E_81]

Okay..weird.

I took the battery off the bike last night. Put it to charge overnight. I just got up, grabbed the battery and went to the bike. Luckily no one messed with it and no ticket!

I hooked the battery up, sat on bike, gave it some choke. BANG, fired right up! I then rode it home.

So what is going on with this bike???

[tom203]

Okay..weird.

I took the battery off the bike last night. Put it to charge overnight. I just got up, grabbed the battery and went to the bike. Luckily no one messed with it and no ticket!

I hooked the battery up, sat on bike, gave it some choke. BANG, fired right up! I then rode it home.

So what is going on with this bike???

Cemeteries are safe places to leave bike- not alot of night visitors. Competing with carb problems for #1 spot with these old bikes is.... you guessed/ experienced it , electrical gremlins. You need to get to the charging system tests asap, before you get treally stranded, like outside a Popeyes . You put lots of work into carbs, so correct the electrical stuff.

[GS650E_81]

What and how many wires do you guys have running to your battery? I have two for the positive and one for the negative. I am not sure what the other one for the positive is for, maybe the starter...

I am wondering because I wanted to know if the r/r is supposed to be grounded to the negative? Because I only have one negative wire.

Also, do you think heat could be causing the coil to overheat and cause the bike to not start up after riding for half an hour? I no it is running lean as I have air leaks from the airbox...

I will get a multimeter tomorrow if possible and run through the stator papers.

[tom203]

A multimeter is essential! The plus terminal on battery has a big red wire connecting to starter solenoid and a smaller red wire that connects to fuse box. The negative battery terminal has big black wire that bolts to top of crankcase (under carbs)- it also should have a smalller black that connects to something. This smaller black wire needs to be connected direct to R/R ground- do not rely on indirect connections thru battery box or anything. This is vital. What does your R/R look like- take a pic. Follow the stators tests thoroughly- posplayr has made it as simple as possible to determine faulty parts, so take advantage.
Yeah, it's possible your ignitor overheats and acts up after 1/2 hour, but it's more likely that the ignitor is not happy with a low voltage (i.e. poor charging) situation.

[GS650E_81]

A multimeter is essential! The plus terminal on battery has a big red wire connecting to starter solenoid and a smaller red wire that connects to fuse box. The negative battery terminal has big black wire that bolts to top of crankcase (under carbs)- it also should have a smalller black that connects to something. This smaller black wire needs to be connected direct to R/R ground- do not rely on indirect connections thru battery box or anything. This is vital. What does your R/R look like- take a pic. Follow the stators tests thoroughly- posplayr has made it as simple as possible to determine faulty parts, so take advantage.
Yeah, it's possible your ignitor overheats and acts up after 1/2 hour, but it's more likely that the ignitor is not happy with a low voltage (i.e. poor charging) situation.

I will take a picture this afternoon. I don't recall any other wires on the negative side of the battery....

[GS650E_81]

Well. I finally got the bike back on the road.

I figured out why the battery was discharging. I had the negative wire connected to the positive on the battery. It fried the wire a little.. but now I have the r/r negative going to the bike.

It idles about 13 or so on the multimeter.

I had the carbs vaccum synced and the bike pulls pretty hard now when warm.

THANK YOU ALL so much for help with this bike. It has been 6 months, but it is finally on the road!

Now.. I am going to change out the handle grips, they are shot. Is it pretty much just a pull off and replace?

[koolaid_kid]

Awesome. Congrats on your success.
Yes, the grips are sort of pull off and replace. You may have to cut the old ones off. When installing the new ones you will probably have to spray something on the bars to make them stick. Hair spray is commonly used and is readily available. YMMV.

[GS650E_81]

I went for a nice 45 minutes ride today with a buddy. Great time, bike ran pretty good.

For some reason once she gets around 6k rpm she sounds pretty loud, not sure if I would take it to red line or not.

On another note I am a heavy guy and the springs seem to bottom out on bumps. Is there a way to tighten them up? I have progressive springs.

[tom203]

I went for a nice 45 minutes ride today with a buddy. Great time, bike ran pretty good.

For some reason once she gets around 6k rpm she sounds pretty loud, not sure if I would take it to red line or not.

On another note I am a heavy guy and the springs seem to bottom out on bumps. Is there a way to tighten them up? I have progressive springs.

30 year old springs plus heavy guy- get new ones if you plan to keep it.
Good work getting it going- persistence and a little knowledge pays off!

[GS650E_81]

Will these shocks work?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/13-5-340mm-Pair-Air-Shock-Absorbers-Yamaha-VMAX-Suzuki-GS500-Honda-CB-500-Black-/180767126106?pt=Motors_ATV_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a168f725a&vxp=mtr

As it is now with the stock shocks, I cannot get my feet all the way on the ground. I can get about half down. I am wondering with new shocks if I will be in trouble...

[BigD_83]

30 year old springs plus heavy guy- get new ones if you plan to keep it.
Good work getting it going- persistence and a little knowledge pays off!

You should have a preload adjuster on those shocks. Can you post a picture so we can see where you have them set?

[tkent02]

Will these shocks work?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/13-5-340mm-Pair-Air-Shock-Absorbers-Yamaha-VMAX-Suzuki-GS500-Honda-CB-500-Black-/180767126106?pt=Motors_ATV_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a168f725a&vxp=mtr

As it is now with the stock shocks, I cannot get my feet all the way on the ground. I can get about half down. I am wondering with new shocks if I will be in trouble...

Tiptoes is good enough, especially if you can do them both at once.

[tom203]

I think you should transfer this to new post in suspension forum- to attract attention,as this is a good question. My "L" has 13.5 inch centerline spacing on its shocks, but I have no idea if they are stock.I'm 5- 7 and can touch the ground flat footed, but the "L" is lower to begin with. You might want something shorter- but I don't know if this will be a problem-, but you do not want the shocks to bottom out.