Help! 1981 GS250 won't start (bump start only).

[hjfisk]

Did you check you clutch safety switch? is it working? Your starter solenoid has alot of things in the way of switches and wiring, starter button, on /off switch ,and clutch safety switch , all of which need to be working with one another, one don't work they all don't work.

[pete]

Did you check you clutch safety switch? is it working? Your starter solenoid has alot of things in the way of switches and wiring, starter button, on /off switch ,and clutch safety switch , all of which need to be working with one another, one don't work they all don't work.

Good point! I don't have any of that on my 450 and keep forgetting them

[Brendan]

Did you check you clutch safety switch? is it working? Your starter solenoid has alot of things in the way of switches and wiring, starter button, on /off switch ,and clutch safety switch , all of which need to be working with one another, one don't work they all don't work.

Thanks, I will check that tonight. Do I have to open the clutch lever housing on the left handle to check this?

[hjfisk]

Thanks, I will check that tonight. Do I have to open the clutch lever housing on the left handle to check this?

you can open the headlight gocket, then go to the front side of your clutch lever you will see 2 yellow wires with a green strip , trace them into the headlight bucket, where they plug in , unplug them and plug the 2 wires they plug into together and try it. If that works you can run it bypassed or you can do it right and clean the switch on the clutch lever, just take the 2 screws out and clean up the contacts, BUT BEWARE WHEN YOU TAKE IT APART, pay close attention there are small springs and small pieces in there. Also pay attention to where the little pin is located. Search Basscliffs site I'm sure there is a tutorial on this.

[Brendan]

you can open the headlight gocket, then go to the front side of your clutch lever you will see 2 yellow wires with a green strip , trace them into the headlight bucket, where they plug in , unplug them and plug the 2 wires they plug into together and try it. If that works you can run it bypassed or you can do it right and clean the switch on the clutch lever, just take the 2 screws out and clean up the contacts, BUT BEWARE WHEN YOU TAKE IT APART, pay close attention there are small springs and small pieces in there. Also pay attention to where the little pin is located. Search Basscliffs site I'm sure there is a tutorial on this.

Awesome, thanks. I just did that and plugged the wires into each other. Unfortunately, I am no longer getting a click from my starter relay, it turns out I damaged a little metal pointy thing inside the solenoid when I removed it to inspect it. I will have to wait until the new solenoid comes now.

I now know that (1) the battery will start the motor and (2) the clutch safety switch is bypassed, so hopefully my bike will start with the new solenoid. I will post an update after it arrives and I install it.

[Brendan]

Success!

Installed the new starter solenoid today and it started right up! Thanks so much guys, this site is the best. The shop would have charged me $80 for a solenoid and $200 for the work. I got the solenoid on e-bay for $20!

[pete]

Installed the new starter solenoid today and it started right up! Thanks so much guys, this site is the best. The shop would have charged me $80 for a solenoid and $200 for the work. I got the solenoid on e-bay for $20!

Nice one! Glad to hear it