Sucking batteries dry (newbie help)

[crippens]

My Gs550 has now killed 2 NEW batteries. I am having crank/hard -or- no start issues. I am not just cranking away but trying to be smart about it. If it doesn't start I try to adjust in the carbs to try to make it work. I can get it to run most times with a new battery that has a full charge. if fully charged brand new battery dies in like 2-3 mins. after 2 recharges now dies in one crank. battery tested bad. is there something wrong electrically here? everything is hooked up and grounded correctly.

[terrylee]

Get on Basscliff's site (he'll probably be along to welcome you soon), and look for what's called stator papers and do the tests on there and see what you get. terrylee

[crippens]

I just think of Cliff Burton when I see that user name

[SqDancerLynn1]

Sounds like your charging circuit needs to be checked

[posplayr]

So batteries are pulled down in a few minutes?
Do the batteries recharge?
If the battery is going down that fast it sounds like a short.

[Steve]

My Gs550 has now killed 2 NEW batteries. I am having crank/hard -or- no start issues. I am not just cranking away but trying to be smart about it. If it doesn't start I try to adjust in the carbs to try to make it work.

If your bike is not starting easily, you don't need to "adjust your carbs to try to make it work".

What you need to do is to CLEAN your carbs and adjust your VALVES.

.

[barnbiketom]

your bike should not take 2-3 minutes of cranking to start, if I'm reading that correctly..

2-3 minutes will kill your battery and kill your starter too.

you need to dip your carbs, fully clean them, get a new starter , new battery and adjust the valves.. for a start.

[DanTheMan]

Of course, you could keep doing the same thing you're doing, with the same results, and enrichen the economy by buying a lot of motorcycle batteries......

[Steve]

Of course, you could keep doing the same thing you're doing, with the same results, and enrichen the economy by buying a lot of motorcycle batteries......

Yes, "enrichen the economy", but also "ruin the ecology" with all the disposed lead.

.

[BigD_83]

The way I read your post, it sounds like the motorcycle is turning over fine with a new battery, and it just is not starting. You MIGHT have an electrical issue, but it sounds to me like it is going to be problems in the carb and/or valves.

Parroting someone far more wise, the #1 cause of hard starting is poorly adjusted valves. If it were me, that is where I would start, before heading into the carburetor and electrical.

You should be able to grab a manual for your bike off of Basscliff's website.

For the bike to start and run, you have to make sure you have fuel air, and spark arriving at the right time, in the right ratio, and compressed properly.

[mike10]

How did this happen?

My Gs550 has now killed 2 NEW batteries. I am having crank/hard -or- no start issues. I am not just cranking away but trying to be smart about it. If it doesn't start I try to adjust in the carbs to try to make it work. I can get it to run most times with a new battery that has a full charge. if fully charged brand new battery dies in like 2-3 mins. after 2 recharges now dies in one crank. battery tested bad. is there something wrong electrically here? everything is hooked up and grounded correctly.

Was this bike running and fine then this problem started. Or, did you just get the bike and it won't run.

[crippens]

I can get the bike running no problem right now.The issue is the next day I have to do it all over again. Carb issues and valves look like the main culprit here to me. Thanks to warranty I don't have to pay for new batteries. The issue with the running is the carb performance which I think I may have straightened out.(carb cleaning and settings) My starter works just fine. I just brought the new battery home so I am going to see how it works. I do have a cylmer manual for the bike. I'm new to motorcycle repair so I am just taking it one step at a time here. I have already removed the carbs and cleaned throughly. all jets are clear with no obstructions. if the bike still runs crappy or hard starts. Im going to have to take a break until i get more funds. The cylinder heads and valves will be on the next to do list.

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. crippens,

You'll find all of the maintenance steps in your "mega-welcome". ALL of the items MUST be PROPERLY addressed. Skipping steps or taking shortcuts will be frustrating at best and dangerous at worst. You have been warned.

If you are here you probably have a 30 year old motorcycle that needs about 20 years worth of maintenance. You'll find all kinds of helpful tips, procedures, manuals, diagrams, "how-to" guides, etc, in the links below. Let's get started.

Let me dump a TON of information on you and share some GS lovin'.

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", "Top 15 Tips For GS Happiness", the Carb Cleanup Series, and the Stator Papers. All of these tasks must be addressed in order to have a safe, reliable machine. This is what NOT to do: Top 10 Newbie Mistakes. 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!

More links to helpful threads in the forum:
Help! Your Bike Won't Start
DON'T DO THESE THINGS
Help! Your Bike Won't Run Well
Oh God! Pods!


Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[crippens]

Thanks everyone. I have to really wait a while till I get more funds. silly me who thought I could just do a quick tune up on a 36 year old bike and be good to go. Might miss this season of riding. I have tons of work to do. almost sounds like a rebuild. Might have bit off more than I could chew. Luckily Im not in a hurry to make sure its running right.

[BigD_83]

Okay,

so let's make sure we are all on the same page here:

A. Your carbs are clean
B. valves need checking (possibly adjusting)

1. With a NEW battery the motorcycle starts up and runs fine
2. The next day, after having run the motorcycle, the motorcycle has a hard time starting
3. After trying to start it up the next time around, it won't...

Is that an accurate summation of your experience so far?