Cold Night, No Start

[Guest]

My GS650G has been running and starting fine. It's gotten into the low 40's at night here in Baltimore and the bike has started with one push of the button. However, last night, it got down to about 40 degrees and the bike would not start. I have fuel in the tank and a good charge on a 6 month old battery.

Any immediate thoughts?

I'm gonna go back and clean up some of my connections and see if that helps.

Thanks!

[chef1366]

If you find you have spark I would pull the choke out the entire way and try to start it. Do not touch the throttle.

[snackie]

I did choke it but did pull the throttle too. I'll check the plugs for spark and clean up my connections at the coils.

Thanks!

[tkent02]

Opening the throttle completely negates the function of the choke. Leave it closed.

[chuck hahn]

Yes on leaving the throttle alone..even once it has been running and is warm. GSs will not start if your twisting and cranking.

[tom203]

Yes to choke advice. And if your riding season is coming to end, put Stabil in tank AND run bike ( half hour ride) so stuff permeates carbs. Wake up will be much easier come springtime.

[Skooby12885]

This happens in FL too

Past 2 nights have been a little chilly for my liking and apparent for my 650gl's too. I leave her outside to save the hastle of opening the garage and so on... but today and yesterday she just didn't want to wake up. Yesterday she gave me a hard time, today I was inclined to check her pulse. It only got into the 60's at best...

What are some things I can do to keep this from happening daily? Charlie's all I got man

[tom203]

"..only got into the 60's at best... "

Hey, cheer up, it didn't make it to 32 degrees today (yet) here!
Of course, you've cleaned your carbs or at least are thinking about it?
Make sure your "choke" is operating fully at carb end-sometimes cables get stretched or misadjusted. The "choke" system draws up a seperate passage in each carb- pickup is near bottom of each fuel bowl where sediment can interfere.

[chuck hahn]

I agree on checking the bowls..At the bottom of the hole the pick up tube fits into is a small hole. Be sure its open WELL. Poke it out with a wire, run carb spray and air thru it till its nice and clear.

A connection for a battery tender will assure its always fully charged in the cold weather too. Check the fluid and top off with DISTILLED water if needed. I got right to the UPPER LEVEL line on mine.